1-1 draw for theUdinese in today’s friendly played at home against Slovenian side Koper, a team from the country’s top division. Below is the match report from the Friulian club:
The test organized in Dekani against Koper, the third force in the Slovenian championship, ends in a draw. A useful match to get minutes in the legs and give a first run-around to the new signings. It is Udinese who manages the ball in the early stages of the match, engaging the opposing goalkeeper right from the start with Bravo and Ekkelenkamp and seeing a goal scored by Kabasele disallowed for offside. Koper then tries to make its presence felt in attack, but the ball does not reach the goal. Shortly after, Payero tries to set up Bravo but the Spaniard is unable to finish. On both sides, few real opportunities and moderate pace. After some imprecise conclusions by the Bianconeri, it is Keinan Davis who takes centre stage: first he comes close to taking the lead with a lob over the goalkeeper, then he is quick to find the lead after a shot by Bravo is parried by the Slovenian goalkeeper.
At the start of the second half, Udinese once again controlled the ball, but were unable to trouble Koper’s defense, which took courage and tried to keep the ball more. At this stage, the Slovenians came close to equalizing with a shot from Buric. At the hour mark, the first changes by mister Runjaic arrived, which mixed things up a bit, with Karlstrom being tested as the central linchpin of the defense, Kamara as an arm and Ekkelenkamp as a wide left. Very little time passed and Koper found the equalizer with Jovanovic, who broke through on the left and beat Padelli as he came out. After the second round of entries from the Juventus bench, there was time for one opportunity each with Lucca – served by Thauvin – and with Petrisko – who attempted a goal with an overhead kick – before the referee blew the final whistle for the friendly, which ended with the score at 1-1.
Udinese-Koper scoresheet:
Koper first half (4-2-3-1): Bas; Adrian, Kovacic, Ivkic, Felipe; Bacha, Zalaznik; Simcic, Groznica, Matondo; Adinho. All. Bogatinov
Koper second half (4-2-3-1): Bas; Mijalovic, Mittendorfer, Sidibe, Jovanovic; Lovric, Abdoul; Omladic, Petrisko, El Manssouri; Buric. Coach Bogatinov
Udinese (3-4-2-1): Padelli; Kabasele (from 14′ st Giannetti), Ebosse (from 14′ st Karlstrom), Touré (from 14′ st Thauvin); Modesto (from 21′ st Ehizibue), Zarraga (from 21′ st Brenner), Payero (from 14′ st Atta), Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Bravo (from 21′ st Pizarro); Davis (from 21st minute Lucca).
Available: Malusà, Kristancig, Del Pino, Dal Vi. Coach Runjaic
Referee: TOSAN
Assistants: GORNIK – KAMNIC
Markers: Davis (U) in the 43rd minute, Jovanovic (K) in the 18th minute