Marco Silvestri performed heroics in goal for 10-man Udinese, who were able to hold off Salernitana for a draw despite the Nehuen Perez dismissal.
Both sides lost their opening fixtures and were eager to get off the mark. Destiny Udogie was back after undergoing his Tottenham medical and returning on loan, with Brandon Soppy sold to Atalanta. The visitors missed Matteo Lovato, Emil Bohinen, Franck Ribery, Lorenzo Pirola and Grigoris Kastanos, but new signing Boulaye Dia from Villarreal was on the bench.
Udinese were awarded a penalty after just five minutes when Dylan Bronn charged down a Roberto Pereyra cross with arm raised, but after a VAR review the referee realised it had only struck the defender’s armpit.
Federico Bonazzoli’s acrobatic overhead kick was only kept out by a desperate Marco Silvestri save with his foot, then the goalkeeper used his body to deny Federico Fazio at the back post, again from point-blank range.
Udinese lost defender Jaka Bijol after a nasty clash of heads with Bronn left him very dizzy. Luigi Sepe rushed off his line to close down Gerard Deulofeu and the Spaniard was unlucky soon after when his deflected finish after a turn clipped the outside of the upright.
Silvestri had to palm a ferocious Pasquale Mazzocchi strike over the bar from distance, but the game turned on the stroke of half-time.
Mazzocchi was running away on the counter and Nehuen Perez made absolutely no attempt to play the ball, blatantly just kicking him on the back of the leg. The referee opted for a straight red card, reducing the hosts to 10 men.
Antonio Candreva’s long-range missile was fingertipped over the bar by Silvestri and Norbert Gyomber was booked for a body-check on Deulofeu.
Silvestri continued his remarkable performance with a flying save to push the Bonazzoli looping header over the bar.
Udinese 0-0 Salernitana
Sent off: Nehuen Perez 45 (U)