Empoli Udinese 0-1, Becao signs the Friulian goal

L’Udinese back to winning ways after six matchdays by going 1-0 at Castellani againstEmpoli. To decide the challenge a header of Rodrigo Becao on the developments of a corner kick, 9′ into the second half. A success that was missing from Marassi’s away game last January and which brings the black and whites, seventh with 35 points like Bologna and Juventus, back into the running for a place in the Conference League. Third consecutive defeat, however, for the Tuscans after those against Naples and Monza: Zanetti’s men remain at 28 with still a good margin (+10) on the relegation zone.

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Balance in the first half

Balance reigns in the first half. First there is Marin, in the second minute, who goes close to Silvestri’s post with a deflected free kick. Then Perisan misses the exit and Bijol narrowly misses the opening goal with a header. Following a question and answer between Udogie, who jumps Bandinelli very well with an oriented stop and beats the opposing goalkeeper, but not Parisi in defensive retreat, who saves on the line. Then Satriano, on action from a standstill, heads off engaging Silvestri, on the rebound Caputo sends wide.

Becao signs the shot

There is a feeling that only a set piece can change the tide of the match. The episode arrives in the 9th minute of the second half, with Becao towering over Luperto and signing the goal to make it 1-0. Ten minutes later the hosts reacted with Baldanzi, who nearly equalized with a great shot from outside the area. The hosts turn up the pace, so much so that Luperto would have the opportunity to redeem himself, but from inside the area he fails to exploit Caputo’s good side, sending high over the crossbar. Then it was Silvestri again who removed the chestnuts from the fire, with a reply with his feet on a shot from Baldanzi. Curtain.

EMPOLI 0-1 (0-0) UDINESE
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Perisan; Stojanovic (45’st Grassi), Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi (27’st Cacace); Akpa Akpro, Marin (27’st Pjaca), Bandinelli (4’st Fazzini); Baldanzi (45’st Bucancil); Caputo, Satriano. On the bench: Ujkani, Stubljar, Walukiewicz, De Winter, Henderson, Degli Innocenti, Ebuehi, Tonelli, Haas, Vignato. Coach: Zanetti.
UDINESE (3-5-2): Silvestri; Becao, Bijol, Nehuen Perez; Ehizibue (32’st Ebosele), Pereira (41’st Samardzic), Wallace, Lovric (35’st Arslan), Udogie; Success (41’st Thauvin), Beto. On the bench: Padelli, Piana, Zeegelaar, Abankwah, Pafundi. Coach: Sottil.
REFEREE: Cosso of Reggio Calabria.
NETWORKS: 9’st Becao.
NOTE: humid afternoon, soil in good condition. Spectators: about 3500. Booked: Luperto, Fazzini, Bijol, Becao, Beto, Lovric. Corners: 11-5 for Empoli. Recovery: 3′, 6′.