Coach Kosta Runjaic’s team kicked off the new season in Fagagna with a draw against the Croatian team NK Opatija. Ninety precious minutes to get ready for the new season, before heading to the training camp in Lienz.
Udinese immediately scored the opener with Arthur Atta, who kicked it in with the inside of his foot just a few metres away from the goal. In the minutes that followed, Udinese worked on their attacking patterns, especially on the sides, with the heat affecting the pace of both teams.
Around minute 30, Opatija equalised with their first shot in the match, with Stojanovic being sent through and scoring. In the remainder of the first half, Udinese were once again on the offensive and Iker Bravo got two chances: the first shot – at the end of a good group move – was blocked by a defender, while his bicycle kick went just over the bar. Damian Pizarro too had a chance, but his finish in a scramble was blocked, while Atta’s low shot from long range was saved by the Croatian goalkeeper.
In the second half, coach Runjaic sent in a completely different team, but kept the same formation. On one of their few offensive moves, Opatija hit the crossbar with a powerful, long-range shot. What followed was Jordan Zemura’s immediate response, but on both occasions the Croatian defenders were in the trajectory of his shots.
Halfway through the second half, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp found space in the box and made an attempt with a low shot, which was however saved by the goalkeeper. Then came Marco Ballarini’s attempt with a header, but he failed to find the right angle. Towards the end of the match, David Pejicic made a good dribble, with his shot however finishing over the crossbar; Sandi Lovric’s finish came from outside the box, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, Zemura hit the crossbar with a shot/cross.
The Udinese players sought to score the winning goal down to the very last minute, even though it was a friendly match, but the Croatian defenders showed great tenacity, with the match ending 1-1.
The Udinese players sought to score the winning goal down to the very last minute, even though it was a friendly match, but the Croatian defenders showed great tenacity, with the match ending 1-1.
Udinese 1-1 NK Opatija (HT:1-1)
Scorers: Atta (U) 3, Stojanovic (O) 34
Scorers: Atta (U) 3, Stojanovic (O) 34
Udinese first half (4-3-3): Okoye; Ehizibue, Palma, Solet, Kamara; Atta, Karlstrom (cap.), Camara; Brenner, Pizarro, Bravo.
Udinese second half (4-3-3): Sava; Modesto (Pejicic 70), Buta, Kabasele, Zemura; Lovric (cap.), Zarraga, Ballarini; Pafundi, Bayo, Ekkelenkamp.
Unused subs: Padelli, De Paoli, Vinciati, Marello.
Coach Runjaic.
Unused subs: Padelli, De Paoli, Vinciati, Marello.
Coach Runjaic.
NK Opatija (4-2-3-1): Prskalo (Pezelj 84, Vuckoy 88); Macolic (Sanjug 56), Bagadur, Dalic (Brlek 56), Usalj (Blecic 65); Horvat, F. Shehu (Maric 56); Stojanovic (Marot 64), Weitzer (Delilaj 56), Ajayi (Momeilovski 72); Pejanovic (cap.) (Jakac 64, N. Shehu 84).
Coach Bogolin.
Coach Bogolin.
Referee: Zufferli
Assistants: Cavallina, Ceolin
Booked: no one
Sent off: no one
Added time: 1+1