Serie A | Udinese 0-0 Monza: Friulani wasteful

Udinese had by far the most scoring opportunities and were kept quiet by Michele Di Gregorio, but Monza were denied by a late goal-line clearance.

Both sides were struggling compared to their usual mid-table status, the Friulani managing one point from four rounds. Gerard Deulofeu, Jaka Bijol and Enzo Ebosse were the only remaining long-term absentees, while Gianluca Caprari and Samuele Vignato missed the trip.

Originally, this was meant to be played behind closed doors due to racist abuse of Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but Udinese partially won the appeal, transformed into the Curva Nord section closed for two matches.

Michele Di Gregorio got his fingertips to a Lorenzo Lucca angled drive, then had a tougher save moments later after Lucca robbed Luca Caldirola, with Pablo Mari charging down the Walace follow-up.

Martin Payero blasted off target from inside the area and Lucca fired straight at Di Gregorio, as Monza were repeatedly barged off the ball.

Florian Thauvin’s daisy-cutter from distance tested Di Gregorio, as did another sudden Lucca strike from outside the D, which was palmed round the base of the upright.

Thauvin had penalty appeals at the 87^th minute, but just seemed to be blocked off by William Bondo.

Monza thought they had scored with a Pablo Mari header on the Patrick Ciurria corner, but Sandi Lovric was in place for a decisive goal-line clearance.

Udinese 0-0 Monza