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2 vs 0
Played
April 29, 2012 7:45 PM BST
Stadio Communale Friuli — Udine
Referee:‬ M. Bergonzi‎
Attendance:‬ 18000‎
 
 
90+4′ Roberto Pereyra
 
Top of the Match
Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale
Udinese
Andrè Dias
Andrè Dias
Lazio
Flop of the Match
Tommaso Rocchi
Tommaso Rocchi
Lazio
Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale
Udinese

Udinese 2-0 Lazio: Di Natale nets as Guidolin's side record priceless win in race for Champions League qualification

Veteran striker delivers crucial blow in race for Champions League qualification

By Nick Valerio

Di Natale esulta dopo aver segnato il goal decisivo in Udinese-Lazio (Serie A, Getty Images)
getty
Udinese secured an invaluable 2-0 victory over fellow European hopefuls Lazio at Stadio Friuli in Sunday evening’s tense Serie A encounter.

The goals came from talismanic captain Antonio Di Natale and Roberto Pereyra, who struck deep into injury time as the race for third changes hands once again.

The score line was a fair reflection of the match on the whole with the home side dominating in terms of possession and chances, while Lazio looked overawed by the occasion. The rivals went into the match knowing that Inter had earlier won, which only further intensified the battle for the elusive third spot in the league.

Udinese started the match much the brighter as Kwadwo Asamoah signalled his intentions with a strong bursting run, only for his claims of a penalty to go unheard by the referee.

The home side had the first chance of note through influential skipper Di Natale but his free-kick was ably stopped by visiting custodian Federico Marchetti. With 20 minutes on the clock the hosts continued to assert their dominance on proceedings through Giampiero Pinzi, who struck from distance and only just missed Marchetti’s near post with Lazio struggling to hold any form of possession. The visitors looked bereft of ideas and struggled for a focal point with Miroslav Klose missing.

The Biancocelesti had Matuzalem and Giuseppe Biava both suffering from knee knocks which saw both men replaced by Lorik Cana and Mobido Diakite as the encounter began to take its toll on the visitors. They did however spring into life during the closing stages as Tommaso Rocchi’s header nearly broke the deadlock, only for Samir Handanovic to expertly tip over the bar and keep both sides level going into the second half.

The second half started in the same vein as the first with Asamoah striking, only for the Ghanaian to miss the target as Udinese looked to go level on points with their opponents. Such was the significance of the encounter; the match was played in a very cagey manner with neither side building on from former forays forward as the tensions from both sets of supporters began to show on the pitch.

But with just over twenty minutes remaining, the deadlock was broken through Di Natale who timed his run to perfection and expertly volleyed his side into the lead with his 21st goal of the campaign. The goal was just what the match required and breathed new life into what was a very timid encounter.

The remainder of the match was played at breakneck speed with Lazio looking to yet claim something whilst Udinese searched for the goal that would all but secure the three points. And, as the visitors plundered men forward, the Zebrette sealed the victory through Pereyra who struck into an empty net.

Andre Dias saw red in the closing stages, and Udinese held on to earn the win and draw level with Lazio and ensure the closing rounds of the season end in thrilling fashion.


Udinese

1
Samir Handanoviç
Goalkeeper
3.00
5
Danilo
Defender
3.00
8
Dušan Basta
Defender
94′
3.00
11
3.50
17
Mehdi Benatia
Defender
83′
3.00
26
3.00
22
Kwadwo Asamoah
Midfielder
3.00
-
Almen Abdi
Midfielder
24′ 59′
2.50
66
Giampiero Pinzi
Midfielder
47′
3.50
10
3.50
-
3.00

Lazio

3.00
22
3.00
3
Andrè Dias
Defender
94′
2.50
5
3.00
20
3.00
29
2.50
18
2.50
6
Stefano Mauri
Midfielder
3.00
-
Matuzalem
Midfielder
20′ 37′
2.50
15
3.00
24
3.00
9

Substitutes

21
0.00
-
Andrea Coda
Defender
0.00
-
0.00
6
3.00
37
3.50
-
Barreto
Striker
0.00
-
Gabriel Torje
Midfielder
78′
3.00

Substitutes

0.00
1
0.00
78
3.00
21
2.50
27
Lorik Cana
Midfielder
37′ 51′
0.00
-
Enrico Zampa
Midfielder
3.00
18
0.00
30

Coach/Manager

Coach/Manager

0.00
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
29 7
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Striker
Roma
16 2
Stephan El Shaarawy Stephan El Shaarawy
Midfielder
Milan
16 0
Germán Denis Germán Denis
Striker
Atalanta
15 5