Key Takeaways:
- Juventus defeated Udinese 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 last night
- Matteo Palma’s own goal and a Manuel Locatelli penalty sent the Bianconeri through
- Udinese failed to register a single shot on target and had two regular starters absent
Match Summary
Juventus secured a 2-0 win over Udinese at the Allianz Stadium in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, marking a successful entry into the competition for Luciano Spalletti’s side. The opening goal came in the 23rd minute, when 17-year-old Matteo Palma inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Substitute Manuel Locatelli converted from the penalty spot after the interval to secure Juventus’ progression, taking advantage of a foul on Juan Cabal by Palma inside the box. The visitors, who had previously eliminated Carrarese 2-0 and Palermo 2-1, posed little threat throughout the encounter, failing to record a single effort on target.
FT |⌛️| Victory and qualification to the quarterfinals of the #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa secured 💪🏆🇮🇹#JuveUdinese pic.twitter.com/CNJamrqxMe
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) December 2, 2025
Juventus Team News and Tactical Approach
Dušan Vlahović and Mattia Perin were both ruled out due to injury, prompting Spalletti to field Jonathan David and Kenan Yıldız in attack, with Michele Di Gregorio deputising in goal. The Bianconeri deployed a formation featuring three central defenders – Pierre Kalulu, Federico Gatti, and Lloyd Kelly – while Andrea Cambiaso and Juan Cabal covered the flanks. Manuel Locatelli, who came on for the injured Gatti in the second half, marked his 200th match for Juventus with a goal from the spot, after receiving a commemorative shirt before kick-off.
Udinese Line-up and First Half Incidents
Head coach Kostja Runjaić was without Thomas Kristensen and Hassane Kamara, neither of whom travelled to Turin, and chose to rest several regular starters. Nicolò Zaniolo began the match partnered up front by Adam Buksa. There was a minute’s silence before the game to honour the late Italian tennis icon Nicola Pietrangeli, who had passed away at 92 on Monday.
Juventus dominated possession from the outset, but Udinese maintained a disciplined defensive shape. Kenan Yıldız showed early intent with a shot in the 11th minute that did not trouble Razvan Sava, and later required medical attention but was able to continue. Sustained pressure won the hosts several corners, but it was a stroke of misfortune that saw Palma divert a Weston McKennie cross past his own goalkeeper.
Both sides had goals ruled out for offside in the first half: Udinese in the 30th minute and Jonathan David for Juventus four minutes later. Despite Jonathan David’s relentless attacking play following his move from Lille, the Canadian was unable to add to his tally.
Second Half and Decisive Moments
Shortly after the interval, Nicolò Zaniolo came close to an equaliser with a powerful shot that flashed wide. Kenan Yıldız spurned another opportunity as Juventus pressed for a second. In the 56th minute, Manuel Locatelli replaced Federico Gatti, who sustained an injury. Roughly ten minutes later, Palma conceded a penalty for a foul on Cabal, which Locatelli duly converted, leaving Sava with no chance.
| Event | Minute | Player | Team | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own Goal | 23 | Matteo Palma | Udinese | Deflected McKennie’s cross into own net |
| Disallowed Goal | 30 | Udinese | Udinese | Goal ruled out for offside |
| Disallowed Goal | 34 | Jonathan David | Juventus | Goal ruled out for offside |
| Substitution | 56 | Manuel Locatelli on, Federico Gatti off | Juventus | Injury substitution |
| Penalty Goal | 66 | Manuel Locatelli | Juventus | Converted penalty after Palma fouled Cabal |
| Disallowed Goal | Stoppage Time | Lois Openda | Juventus | Goal ruled out for offside following João Mário assist |
Late Action and Final Whistle
The outcome never appeared in doubt, with Juventus comfortably controlling the latter stages. In stoppage time, João Mário and Lois Openda combined for another Juventus finish, only for Openda’s effort to be disallowed due to offside. The match concluded with Juventus untroubled and deserving victors, advancing to the quarter-finals.
