07 January 2023
Juventus are thrust back into Serie A action against Udinese on Saturday 7 January. The match at the Allianz Stadium is sold out for what will be an emotional evening.
We take a look at Juve's Matchday 17 opponents.
THE SEASON SO FAR
Udinese started the season by taking the lead in the home of the Italian champions after just two minutes. That afternoon Milan would eventually win 4-2 but Udinese sent out a signal of intent and the defeat at San Siro would prove to be the only loss for the side from Friuli in the opening eight games.
In fact, Udinese collected six straight wins from the third matchday to the eighth, defeating teams of the calibre of Roma and Inter. The winning streak propelled Andrea Sottil's side into the top three.
The team's form has tapered off since their bright start. In the most recent eight matches, they have drawn six and lost two. However, they are nine points better off than at the same stage one year ago - no side can boast a better year-on-year improvement - and have remained unbeaten in three of their four Serie A matches against opponents who started the day in the first five positions in the standings
THE COACH
Andrea Sottil was born in Venaria Reale, just 10 kilometres outside of Turin. He came through the youth academy at Torino, the club where he made his Serie A debut at 18 years old in 1992. His longest spell as a player at one single club was between 1999 and 2003 at Udinese, where he returned this summer as coach.
Sottil is in his first season in the top flight after 10 years gaining experience in the lower divisions. Before joining Udinese, he had led Ascoli to the play-outs in Serie B last season.
The 48-year-old has relied heavily on the experience of Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra. Deulofeu is the player who has taken part in the most sequences of open play resulting in a shot this season. 10 of his 92 runs have brought a goal at the end of it. However, the Spaniard is still recovering after twisting a knee in November and is not available for selection.
Pereyra, meanwhile, made his Serie A debut on 28 January 2012 against Juventus, the team he played 48 league games for between 2014 and 2016, scoring four goals. In the opening fixture of 2023, the Argentine scored Udinese's equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Empoli.
