Second friendly test for Udinese who faces the Croatians of NK Istra in Codroipo after the 5-0 win over the Slovenians of Bilje. Coach Kosta Runjaic opts for a few rotations especially in midfield, where he changes the wingers by inserting Zemura and Ehizibue in place of Kamara and Ebosele. In midfield Domingos Quina and not Zarraga with Payero, behind Guessand replaces Kabasele.
Istra is ahead in the preparation, but despite the workload, Udinese makes its greater technical level count right from the start. The Brenner-Thauvin axis heats up almost immediately, with the Brazilian finding a nice pass for the Frenchman in the 11th minute, but missing the final thrust. The two swap positions in the 17th minute and the first goal arrives, with Brenner heading in a brush stroke from the current number 10 of the team.
Thauvin continues to provide glimpses of great football. In the 21st minute with a super opening he gives Zemura a single ball to tip into the area for a teammate, but the winger misjudges the timing and the action fades away. After the cooling break, Istra’s greatest brilliance comes out and for a while they crush Udinese in their area. In the 33rd minute, however, it is the Bianconeri who become dangerous again with an action made in Runjaic: starting from the left, then with the dribbling a gap is opened on the right for Ehizibue in the area, but the former Colonia player does not cross well. However, at the end of the half the Croatians come out and taking advantage of Joao Ferreira’s lapse in concentration there is space for Filet’s header that is worth the equaliser.
The Zebrette are back in front already in the 42nd minute, Thauvin launches Lucca in transition, Majkic comes out, but the number 17 fools him with a beautiful and very sweet lob from outside the area. Payero hits the second post with a rocket, then in full recovery comes the goal from a Thauvin in great shape. The Frenchman in the area believes until the end and scores. In the second half Runjaic changes practically the entire eleven with the exception of Lucca. The pace therefore slows down, but the striker finds the right action to score his personal brace. The friendly thus drags wearily towards the ninetieth minute, with very few jolts, ending 4-1.
Here is the match report from Udinese’s official channels:
Udinese (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Giannetti, Guessand, Ferreira; Ehizibue, Payero, Quina, Zemura; Thauvin, Brenner; Lucca.
Udinese second half (3-4-2-1): Padelli; Benkovic, Kabasele, Palma; Ebosele, Zarraga, Abankwah, Kamara; Pejicic, Success (from 30st Bonin); Lucca (from 10st Barbaro).
Available: Malusà, Martins, Barbaro, Di Leva, Bonin, Demiroski. Coach Runjaic
Nk Istra (3-4-3); Majkic; Ivanesevic, Iovu, Maresic; Lisica, Calusic, Petrusenko, Kadusic; Fago, Vuk, Filet.
Nk Istra second half (3-4-3): Majkic (from 12st Coric); Ivanesevic, Iovu Kojancic; Valincinc, Blagojevic, Mauric, Cuic; Gagua, Jaganjak, Vuk. All Tramezzani
Referee: Djurdjevic from Trieste
Assistants: Nigri – Della Mea
Goalscorers: 19′ Brenner, 41′ Fago (I), 45′ Lucca, 49′ pt Thauvin, 10st Lucca.
Ammonites: None
Expelled: None:
Note: 5′ of added time in the first half.