In one of the most balanced and uncertain Serie A season starts seen in recent years, Udinese continue to have their say. The Friulani came from behind on Monday night to topple Verona with goals from Beto and Jaka Bijol to capture their sixth win in a row and consolidate their third place in the table behind Napoli and Atalanta.
This is the best Serie A start ever for Udinese, whose trump card is turning out to be their top-flight debuting coach Andrea Sottil. The Turin-born gaffer, a former Serie A player himself, is showing no fear in his maiden campaign as an elite division manager and is leading the Bianconeri to some totally unexpected heights.
Verona, on the other hand, are now facing an increasing pressure. The Scaligeri are on a three-game losing streak and have amassed only five points so far. They are third-to-last in the table with only Cremonese and Sampdoria behind them. For their new manager Gabriele Cioffi, who was in charge at Udinese just last season, things are getting though.
And still, Verona had had a good start on Monday night, finding the back of the net with Scottish defender Josh Doig in the first half. The 20-year-old Scotman authored a fine left-foot volley to make it to the scoresheet for the second time already this season.
Beto drew level for Udinese on 70 minutes, making the best out of a Gerard Deulofeu service. The Portuguese was not in the starting lineup, so full credit to coach Sottil for sending him in during the second half, together with Lazar Samarzdic who would eventually take part in the Bianconeri‘s winner.
The German indeed took the decisive free kick that was headed home by Bijol during stoppage time, completing Udinese’s comeback. It was the second goal in a row for the young Slovenian, who had also found the net against Inter before the international break.
Tonight’s exploit was even more important as it fired Udinese to some league table position that they had not seen since the days of Luciano Spalletti (2005) and Francesco Guidolin (2011) in the dugout.
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