A last-gasp goal in midweek extended the winning run of Juventus to its seventh game, and they aim to prolong their success streak again on Saturday, when they welcome Udinese to Turin.
After managing to eke out another victory at Cremonese, Juve closed to within seven points of Serie A’s top spot, while their fellow Bianconeri took just one point at home to Empoli as their winless run rolled on.
Partly compensating for a troubled time on and off the field in recent months, Juventus ended their campaign for 2022 on a high by posting six league wins on the spin, and on Wednesday they got the new year up and running in Cremona, where they had never lost before in Serie A.
With no sign of a breakthrough against a promoted side yet to win since returning to the top flight, it seemed Juve would start 2023 in lukewarm fashion as the clock ticked over into stoppage time – but Arkadiusz Milik had other ideas.
The Polish striker’s 91st-minute goal not only sealed a seventh straight success but also effectively kept the Old Lady third in the standings – ahead of old rivals Inter by a point and only two adrift of second-placed Milan.
Max Allegri’s men still have a seven-point deficit to make up to leaders Napoli – who were finally beaten in midweek – but hopes of a first Scudetto for three years are very much back on the agenda as the second half of the season approaches.
Juventus have built their fine fun of form on a solid defence, and thanks to the input of their two goalkeepers and summer signing Bremer – who stepped into the breach when Giorgio Chiellini left the club and Leonardo Bonucci succumbed to injury – they have not conceded a single goal during their winning run. That represents their best such streak since 2018, when Allegri’s first reign at the club was near its peak.
Precedent is in Juve’s favour too, ahead of Saturday’s game, as 10 of their last 13 league meetings with Udinese have ended in victory, and following their 2-0 win in the teams’ most recent meeting they have won each of their last six against the Friulani in Turin.
In all, Udinese have lost 65 Serie A matches against Juventus – more than against any other opponent – and have won only once in 12 attempts with Allegri in charge.
Andrea Sottil’s current side, then, clearly have their work cut out for them this weekend – particularly as they arrive at the Allianz Stadium on a worrying run of eight games without a league win.
It took Roberto Pereyra’s strike midway through the second half to salvage a point against Empoli on Wednesday, as the former Juve midfielder continued his impressive form this season, during which he has laid on five assists for his teammates.
Despite dominating possession and firing in numerous shots on goal against their Tuscan counterparts, Udinese have now scored only six times in their last seven league outings and last tasted success at the start of October.
Having previously raced into the top four by virtue of a fast start to Sottil’s time in the dugout, six draws and two defeats have since seen them slip to eighth. The Bianconeri last claimed a top-half finish 10 years ago, so can still target a relatively successful season over the coming months, but start as clear outsiders on Saturday evening.
Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Udinese
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