Football Italia Live Blog
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Juventus get their Coppa Italia campaign underway with a visit from Udinese in the Round of 16.
The Bianconeri have won their last two matches between Serie A and the Champions League, and are unbeaten across their last seven coming into their first Coppa Italia match of the season.
Udinese are coming in off the back of a 2-0 win over Parma in Serie A over the weekend, and have already beaten Carrarese and Palermo in the earlier rounds of the cup so far this season.
The Bianconeri are wihout Dusan Vlahovic, Gleison Bremer, Daniele Rugani and Mattia Perin, while Udinese have travelled without Thomas Kristensen and Hassane Kamara.
Kick-off is due at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
Up next for Juventus is a trip to Spalletti’s old club, Napoli, where he won the Scudetto before leaving the club by mutual consent almost immediately after the final game of the 2022-23 season.
“It will be a melting pot of emotions because I have so many friends there. How I’m welcomed isn’t important, but what is is my feeling towards them, which is one of the utmost love,” the Juventus coach said.
When asked about David and Openda, Spalletti said: “They’re two central strikers. If you talk to them, they’ll tell you that’s where they operate best on the pitch.
“David is technically very good, and links up well with the team. He moves very well in the box when the team plays against a low block and knows how to manage difficult situations.
“Openda is better at attacking from deep, he needs space but they compensate for each other and can also play together. We’re pleased that they’re doing well.”
“We played a decent game, we did everything well. We were well balanced, we capitalised, and created big chances,” Spalletti told Italia 1 after full-time.
“We could have managed certain situations better, and given the level we have, we need to take advantage in those. You have to be fierce and mean. A real lion gives all of its strength, even against a mouse.”
Click here to read the player ratings following Juventus’s 2-0 win over Udinese.
Click here to see Juve’s potential oppoentns in the quarter- and semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Joao Mario is fractionally offside in the build-up. It remains Juventus 2-0 Udinese.
Great link-up play with Joao Mario on the right flank. They play a one-two and Openda buries with a first-time finish from 10 yards out. Juventus are in the quarter-finals.
Zhegrova with a brilliant run, he plays the pass, but Joao Mario is intercepted just as he tries to get a shot away
Five added on.
Joao Mario drags wide of the post with a shot from 15 yards out.
Udinese smother two efforts from Conceicao within the area.
Kenan Yildiz goes off to applause from the home crowd. Zhegrova on to replace him for the final few minutes.
Kristensen is on for Solet.
Miller fires just wide with a pacy volley from the edge of the area for Udinese.
Cabal, Miretti and David are off, replaced by Openda, Conceicao and Joao Mario.
Atta and Buksa are replaced by Gueye and Ekkelenkamp.
The second-half substitute coolly converts from 12 yards. Juventus on their way to the quarter-finals.
A VAR check confirms that Palma fouled Cabal in the area.
Bravo and Miller come on for Zaniolo and Zarraga.
Locatelli comes on to replace the injured Gatti.
Gatti currently receiving treatment here. He looks like he might have to come off here.
McKennie lays off to Yildiz who tries to bend one into that far right corner, but he’s just wide again.
Koopmeiners cleared to continue, still wincing a bit.
A brief stoppage as Koopmeiners goes down clutching his shoulder, medics on.
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