Udinese are off to a good start in the 2021-2022 season as they collected four points in the first two matchdays. Venezia showed signs of improvement compared to the opener versus Napoli, often controlling the ball and moving it quickly. However, the Bianconeri put their superior experience to good use. Ignacio Pussetto, Gerard Deulofeu, and Nahuel Molina put their names in the stat-sheet with opportunistic goals.
Luca Gotti confirmed almost his whole XI, inserting only Jens Stryger Larsen for Destiny Udogie. Instead, Paulo Zanetti went with seven new starters. The changes included goalkeeper Luca Lezzerini and newcomers Gianluca Busio, Thomas Henry, and David Okereke.
Dennis Johnsen almost gave the Lagunari the lead after six minutes. The winger escaped behind the offside trap and tried to beat Marco Silvestri with a little lob, but the goalkeeper denied him. Lezzerini answered the bell on the other end on a sharp shot by Tolgay Arslan.
Udinese broke the deadlock at the 29th minute. Molina sprinted down the right flank on a fast-break and perfectly teed up Pussetto with a soft cross. The Argentinian striker hit the net with a technical volley. The Arancioneroverdi had their best chance seven minutes into the second half. Okereke picked his way through defenders in the box, but Silvestri bust out another great save.
Busio had a solid game overall but also a costly mistake at the 70th minute. Gerard Deulofeu stripped him at the edge of the box, Lezzerini stopped the first attempt by Arslan, but the Spanish super-sub punched it home. Venezia looked demoralized and did not muster another reaction. Molina wrapped things up in the stoppage time. He intercepted a ball deep into enemy territory, combined with Larsen, and slotted it under the crossbar on a deep cut through the middle.