Juventus coast past 10-man Udinese
Juventus sent out a resounding message that they intend to retain their Serie A title with a comprehensive dismantling of Udinese.
The Old Lady were aided by the 14th-minute dismissal of goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic, but regardless of that, such an emphatic win at the Stadio Friuli has to be taken notice of.
Arturo Vidal opened the scoring with a penalty that was a consequence of Brkic's sending off, with Mirko Vucinic making it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.
It was game over eight minutes after the break thanks to Sebastian Giovinco and, when the same player made it four, it was a rout before Andrea Lazzari grabbed a consolation for the Bianconeri.
With Antonio Conte again unable to coach Juve owing to his suspension, the Turin outfit had to operate on auto-pilot, with veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo pulling all the strings.
He laid on an early chance for Sebastian Lichtsteiner and then threaded the pass which led to Brkic hauling down Giovinco. Vidal stepped up and converted the subsequent penalty.
Antonio di Natale had an immediate chance to level but his header was well wide, and with few opportunities coming their way as a result of being a man down, Udinese were forced to try and shut up shop.
They managed to hold out until the 45th minute when Vucinic ended their resolve when he nipped in to finish after Pablo Armero failed to clear.
Di Natale tried to lay on a chance for Dusan Basta after the restart but he failed to take it, while Giovinco went close from the edge of the box.
The summer signing from Parma would get the first goal of his second spell with the club, though, cashing in after substitute stopper Daniele Padelli failed to hold Claudio Marchisio's shot.
The goalkeeper did keep out Marchisio minutes later, but he was bending into the back of his net for a fourth time with 19 minutes left after Giovinco skinned Maurizio Domizzi and rapped a drive beyond him.
Udinese would stir when Lazzari netted from close range with 12 minutes left, but it was nothing more than a token goal.
