Final result: Bologna-Udinese 1-1
BOLOGNA (edited by Marco Pieracci)
Skorupski 6.5 – He created the first danger on his own with a somewhat reckless exit, little responsibility for the goal he took. He prevents the boat from sinking by saying no to Samardzic.
Posch 5.5 – He loads the shot, but shoots deferred. Also late in closing on Payero which he tries to stop without success. From 68′ Armor 6 – Increase the pace.
Beukema 5 – Freuler serves a hot ball, he tries in vain to remedy it. He does even worse by getting himself expelled in an impetuous manner.
Lights 5.5 – He gets up to contribute to the construction of the game, but on the goal he doesn’t properly read Lucca’s movement that appears behind him.
Kristiansen 6 – Surprisingly preferred to Calafiori, he has to deal with the physical vigor of Ehizibue whom he holds his own in the duel on the wing.
Freuler 5 – He dozed off on the way out and had the ball taken away, resulting in a goal by Udinese. He indelible mark on a generous performance.
Ndoye 5.5 – The sprint is for a sprinter, but in the absence of spaces it becomes difficult. Complicated relationship with the opponent’s goal, he sends it into the arms of Okoye. From 88′ Fabbian sv
El Azzouzi 5 – Confirmation in the delicate role of deputy Ferguson conquered on the field, but this time she doesn’t shine: a lot of aggression, even too much. From 46′ Orsolini 6 – Motta’s first move to change the inertia of the match brings a bit of liveliness even if it doesn’t sting.
Aebischer 6 – Less lucid than his standards, but he comes out great in the final closing as a central defender when the team is down to ten men.
Saelemaekers 7 – In the first half, the opportunities to attack the Olimpico on the counterattack are a distant memory, in the second half he is centralized and there he makes the difference: he catches the joker from a standing start, with the collaboration of Okoye, he comes close to scoring a brace twice.
Zirkzee 6 – Having returned to goal with Roma, he moves with his usual elegance to find the right opening from which to invent. He doesn’t leave his mark, but lights up with some classy play. From 88′ Lykogiannis sv
Thiago Motta 6 – Despite the numerical inferiority, he managed not to lose a match that turned out to be much more complicated than expected, thanks also to a bit of luck at the end. Having postponed the mathematical certainty of his return to Europe, he is unable to close the gap on Juventus but even in difficulties the team does not lose his identity.
UDINESE (edited by Marco Pieracci)
Okoye 4.5 – The first conclusions in the mirror are those phone calls received by Aebischer and Ndoye. The misjudgment on the free kick kicked by Saelemaekers was sensational: he allowed himself to be overtaken.
Perez 6.5 – Difficult to overcome in the air, grim like the stoppers of the past in marking: his new coach will have liked it.
Bijol 6.5 – The most decisive and resolute in countering the rossoblù’s offensive gusts, he defends with Olympic calm by reading Zirkzee’s intentions in advance.
Kristensen 6.5 – Ndoye has a different pace, yet he never manages to really put him in difficulty. Insurmountable tower on high balls.
Ehizibue 6 – Remarkable stride, not always accompanied by effective final choices but by hook or by crook it contains Saelemakers. From 60′ Ferreira 6 – More blocked than those before him.
Walace 6.5 – Solid breakwater in front of the defense, he doesn’t let even a pin pass: he covers Payero’s back without throwing the ball away.
Payero 7 – In the possession phase he often gets up on the line of the double attacking midfielder: on one of the many insertions with the lights off he unlocks the match. From ’87’ Brenner 5.5 – He devours a goal scored, sending it out into an empty net.
Kamara 6 – He plays with his feet on the baseline to give width to the maneuver, he runs out of gas in a rather expensive test. From 87′ Zemura sv
Samardzic 6.5 – Indispensable for the quality it ensures: the first verticalization for Lucca is a piece of cake, then it forces a second yellow for Beukema.
Pereyra 6.5 – Valuable work connecting the lines: intelligent in managing the ball, wins many free kicks to allow the team to breathe. From 69′ Zarraga 6 – Feed the pressure.
Lucca 6 – He dances in the middle of Beukema and Lucumi, waiting for the slightest distraction to arrive: he slips between the two central defenders creating the conditions for the goal, then he makes himself respected by also using his elbows. From 69′ Davis 6 – Unlucky, the post denied him his first joy in Italy.
Fabio Cannavaro 6.5 – Making his full debut in Serie A, he takes a step back confirming the same starting line-up as Verona. Perfect first half, when the team finds itself with the extra man it seems done, but it has to deal with Bologna’s proud reaction.