Luciano Spalletti’s men emphatically ended a four-match winless run in the league last week, but despite dominating possession, the visitors initially found it tough to break down an Udinese side that had conceded just five goals before half-time on their own turf in the league this season.
Home goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was equal to an effort from a tight angle by Jeremie Boga in the left channel as Juve probed for openings.
Eventually, the Bianconeri’s patience was rewarded with an opening goal on the 38-minute mark. Lloyd Kelly, creator of Boga’s earlier chance, was the orchestrator once more as he released Kenan Yildiz down the left, and the Turkish international duly squared for Boga to tap in his third goal in as many matches.
Juve have avoided defeat in each of the prior eight away league games in which they opened the scoring this term, and they continually threatened to extend their advantage before the break here.
Okoye was called into action to again deny Boga and – most impressively – Andrea Cambiaso, who swept goalwards on the half volley after Udinese failed to clear a corner.
Kosta Runjaic’s men offered very little going forward before the break, yet spurned a gilt-edged chance to restore parity within six minutes of the restart. In a carbon copy of the Juventus move which opened the scoring, Keinan Davis squared from the left to find Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, but the Dutchman somehow turned his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.
That miss was nearly immediately punished, with Okoye called into action to deny Manuel Locatelli before Teun Koopmeiners headed over.
The Bianconeri’s patience continued to be tested when Francisco Conceicao saw a goal ruled out with 20 minutes to play, thanks to Koopmeiners’ presence in the goalkeeper’s eyeline while in an offside position.
Okoye brilliantly denied Fabio Miretti after a wonderfully intricate Juve move late on to ensure tension continued to rise in the away dugout, but the visitors ultimately kept their cool to see out a ninth win in 10 H2Hs.
As a result, Juve climb above Como and Roma before the pair face off on Sunday, while Udinese remain stranded in mid-table, with their season petering out after a 10th defeat in 16 matches against sides currently in the top half.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)
Catch up on the match stats here.
