A dramatic climax brings to a close to a frantic second half in Udine, as Juventus must settle for a draw on the opening day of their 2021-22 campaign. The visitors frittered away a two-goal advantage through the combination of an improved Udinese showing in the second period and their own avoidable errors, before Ronaldo rose from the bench to head in an apparent winner at the death - only to be denied by the VAR!
The Turin giants next host promoted Empoli, so will expect to bounce back from this disappointment quickly - but must eliminate such sloppiness as demonstrated by their goalkeeper today. Advantage Inter after round one!
That's all from Udine today, so thank you for joining us. Goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+7'
FULL-TIME: UDINESE 2-2 JUVENTUS20:31
90'+5'
Ronaldo is now booked for his shirt-removing celebrations shortly before his potential winner was ruled out by an offside call from the VAR!20:42
90'+4'
DENIED BY VAR! Juventus stick to the script, as Ronaldo rises to plant a trademark header inside Silvestri's post from a delicious swinging cross by Chiesa! However, the VAR intervenes after minutes of deliberation and belatedly rules out Juve's potential winner - he is offside by an elbow's width. What drama!20:29
90'+3'
Samir now comes off, with Zeegelaar on to provide fresh legs in the dying minutes.20:24
90'+1'
Jajalo's left-footed shot from the centre of the box goes just too high under pressure from the Juve defence. Could Udinese really steal this?20:23
90'
Bentancur is now withdrawn, as Locatelli makes his debut for Juventus in testing circumstances.20:20
88'
Kulusevski lets his frustration show and the referee books him for a foul, as the clock ticks down.20:21
88'
Deulofeu is naturally full of running after his goal, and has to be hauled down 25 yards from goal, on the right. Samir heads into the goalkeeper's grateful hands from the resulting free kick though.20:20
86'
Becao brings down Kulusevski, but Juventus ultimately concede possession. They are running out of time to salvage this game.20:18
83'
THE EQUALISER! Udinese capitalise on slack footwork from Szczesny, as the Juventus goalkeeper over-elaborates and presents the ball to Deulofeu, who turns the ball into the net from 10 yards out. Could an upset be on the cards? Juve are throwing this away, it's now 2-2!
Okaka makes an immediate impact and lays the ball back for Deulofeu to turn in, after being gifted the ball by Szczesny.20:17
80'
Gotti decides to swap Pussetto for a more obvious physical presence up front, as Okaka gets the final ten minutes to make an impact.20:12
80'
Arslan comes off for Jajalo in the Udinese midfield.20:11
78'
Kulusevski concedes a free-kick in the centre circle with a rushed attempt to recover the ball, but Udinese fail to move the ball forward quickly enough.20:11
76'
Dybala goes down under a crude challenge from Walace, who rakes his studs down the Argentinian forward's shins. It's a deserved booking for the Udinese midfielder. 20:09
74'
Though quieter in the last 20 minutes, Cuadrado has excelled today, but is now withdrawn for another Euro 2020 hero: Chiesa is on for the last 15 minutes.20:06
72'
After the resumption, the game becomes a little disjointed, with neither side holding onto the ball. Allegri looks set to make another change imminently.20:04
70'
A cooling break comes as a timely intervention for Udinese, as they need to stabilise themselves if they are to avoid conceding a third and steal a point by scoring a late equaliser here at the Dacia Arena.20:02
68'
Bentancur thunders well over from 25 yards, in the centre of the pitch. He couldn't get his weight over the ball and skewed his effort wildly, but Juventus look likelier to nab a third since the triple substitution.19:59
66'
CLOSE AGAIN! Bentancur strikes the right post with a thumping right-footed shot from outside the box, with the ball laid on by a busy Ronaldo. Perhaps he has a point to prove?20:00
63'
JUST WIDE! Ronaldo is in on the action straight away, as he rises to head inches wide of Silvestri's left-hand post. A fine cross from Dybala.19:56
62'
Following an unusually long delay, Udinese are denied a strong penalty claim by the VAR. This game is now opening up.19:56
60'
Bernardeschi comes off in the Juve midfield, with Kulusevski on in his place.19:52
59'
Morata is replaced by Ronaldo, who has only 30 minutes to kick off his scoring campaign for the new season.22:05
59'
Ramsey has put in a good shift in Rabiot's absence, but now makes way for veteran defender Chiellini, who recently extended his Juventus contract by a year.19:50
58'
Allegri looks to be reassessing some subs of his own - including a particular Portuguese forward!20:17
57'
Udogie is also withdrawn by Udinese, with a star of Denmark's Euro 2020 run, Stryger Larsen, given half-an-hour to impress.19:48
57'
Gotti turns to his substitutes, with Makengo now making way for Deulofeu.19:47
53'
SO CLOSE! A long cross-field ball by Alex Sandro is headed powerfully against the left-hand post by Morata, but the ball bounces clear to safety. Almost an immediate response from Juventus.19:47
51'
THE HOSTS GET ONE BACK! Pereyra sends Szczesny the wrong way from the spot, with an authoritative penalty into the left side of the goal. Udinese are back in this - they now trail 2-1!
Szczesny is booked for clumsily conceding the penalty.20:43
50'
Szczesny fumbles an effort from just outside the box and cannot recover the ball - he flails helplessly; bringing down Arslan in the six-yard box. It's a Udinese penalty!19:42
49'
Some very neat interchanges by Juventus in the final third, but Nuytinck intervenes to bludgeon the ball away from danger.19:39
48'
Remarkably, Juventus have conceded in each of their last 14 Serie A matches: they have only suffered longer such streaks in 1955 and 2010. Today seems like the perfect opportunity to put that record right though.19:37
46'
We are back under way at the Dacia Arena, and the home fans are in fine voice! They will hope their team can give them something more to shout about in the next 45 minutes.20:15
Following Inter's convincing first-day win against Genoa yesterday, Juventus may well seek more goals to lay down a marker of their intent to reclaim the Scudetto they believe is rightfully theirs. It will be fascinating to see if Ronaldo - or Locatelli and Kaio Jorge for that matter - make an appearance in the second half.19:29
Juventus have clinically controlled this opening-round encounter so far, as Allegri's return to the bench brings a reassuring calmness and authority to their play. Ronaldo has barely been missed, as Cuadrado dovetails well with Dybala - who looks back to form after an illness-hit 2020-21 campaign. The home side have had spells of possession in the Juve half, but lack a cutting edge, with Pussetto offering purpose but too little presence up front. Perhaps some changes are afoot for Luca Gotti's side?20:12
45'+2'
HALF-TIME: UDINESE 0-2 JUVENTUS19:21
45'+2'
In the final act of the half, Morata wriggles free to scuff a left-footed shot into the side-netting of Silvestri's goal - a half-chance at best.19:18
45'
Bonucci is hauled back by a frustrated Pussetto, who has struggled for quality service in this first half. It looks like Udinese will have to wait until at least the second period to open their account this term.19:17
43'
Juventus are happy to sit back and soak up some limited pressure until the interval, it seems. They can rely on their precision on the break to make Udinese think twice about over-committing.19:15
41'
Molina whips a free-kick in from deep on the right, but Bonucci heads well clear with a booming aerial intervention. Juventus have the airspace covered in Udine today!19:13
39'
Bernardeschi's free-kick is crossed too deep and drifts out on the right side of the touchline.19:11
38'
Morata streaks through the centre as Juventus hit on the break again, but the move is slowed down sufficiently to stop the immediate danger. However, Udinese then concede a free-kick on the left side of the area, which Bernardeschi will take.19:10
36'
Bernardeschi goes down under an over-eager challenge from Pereyra, allowing Juventus to take control of the game again in their own defensive half.19:08
34'
The free-kick comes to nothing, as the rock-solid Juve defence head comfortably clear. There is no way through for the home side today.19:07
33'
Udinese win a free kick on the right side of the Juventus box, as Becao is brought down while turning on the ball.19:05
31'
Morata's right-footed shot from the left side of the box just misses to the right of Silvestri's goal. A close call for Udinese!19:03
29'
Between 2014 and 2019, Allegri lifted 11 trophies with Juventus - including five successive Scudetti and four straight Coppa Italia - while also reaching two Champions League finals. Furthermore, he is the coach with the highest win percentage in their illustrious history - boasting a remarkable 75 per cent success rate.19:01
27'
Ronaldo is off the bench and offering instruction to Bernardeschi, to which Allegri adds his advice before we get back under way.18:59
25'
Having stung Udinese on the break, Juventus are back on top as the referee's whistle blows for a brief cooling break. The hosts will be glad to regroup after a difficult start.18:57
23'
Dybala claims the assist for Juve's second goal of the game; playing a raking long ball down the right for Cuadrado to latch on to.18:56
23'
JUVE ADD A SECOND! Cuadrado is at the peak of his powers and, bursting with confidence, latches on to a long, hopeful ball from Dybala to shimmy past Nuytinck and fire into the bottom-left corner. Brilliant work from the Colombian winger!
Danilo blocks Udogie's attempted cross for another Udinese corner. After some head-tennis in the area, Juventus clear the danger, but the Zebrette are starting to gallop freely!18:52
19'
A rare period of pressure from the home side, as Juventus drop off a little. However, Luca Gotti's men cannot create a clear chance to equalise.18:50
17'
Very neat interplay between the Udinese midfield looks like opening the door to the Juventus area, but De Ligt slams it shut with an authoritative headed clearance. Pussetto then heads well over from a corner, as the cross was just too high for him.18:49
15'
Morata is called narrowly offside, chasing onto a long diagonal through-ball from the back. Udinese seem susceptible to the counter today.18:45
13'
A frustrated Morata hauls Samir to the turf, as the ball gets away from him in the final third. Udinese waste possession from the resulting free-kick though. 18:43
11'
De Ligt brings Pussetto down with a crunching aerial challenge, but the referee decides a free-kick is sufficient punishment for the Dutch defender.18:42
9'
A first real chance for the hosts, as Pereyra combines well with his fellow ex-Watford forward Pussetto to cut Juventus apart on the edge of the box. However, the latter scuffs his effort straight into the waiting arms of Szczesny.18:40
7'
Cuadrado is a dominant presence on the right flank, with most of the Juventus play being directed down that side of the field. However, he is thwarted twice by the close attention of the Udinese back three.18:38
5'
Udinese are trying desperately to get a foothold in the game, but Juventus - in yellow shirts and blue shorts - seem to almost have an extra man, as they switch the ball around at will.18:37
3'
Bentancur received an incisive ball from Cuadrado, cutting it back from the right side of the box for Dybala to finish with precision.18:35
3'
WHAT A START! Dybala gets Juventus off the mark by sweeping the ball in from close range, as Cuadrado combines brilliantly with Bentancur to tee him up inside the area. Silvestri was left with no chance and Juve lead 1-0!
Juventus have won seven of their last eight league games against Udinese, scoring 24 times in the process. Not only that, but they have won nine of their last 10 season openers in Serie A! Meanwhile, Udinese - who have only won one of their last 11 home games versus their fellow Bianconeri - recently started the season with a 3-1 Coppa Italia win over Ascoli, as former Juve midfielder Roberto Pereyra netted twice to send them through to December's second round.18:29
The bench perhaps holds more interest than the starting XI for Juventus today, as not only does it feature the inimitable presence of Ronaldo, but Euro 2020 winners Locatelli and Chiellini will keep the Portuguese icon company, and young Kaio Jorge is poised for a debut shortly after switching from Santos, in Brazil's Serie A. 18:24
SUBS: Mattia Perin, Carlo Pinsoglio, Mattia De Sciglio, Giorgio Chiellini, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luca Pellegrini, Kaio Jorge, Daniele Rugani, Manuel Locatelli, Filippo Ranocchia, Dejan Kulusevski.18:20
JUVENTUS (4-3-3): Wojciech Szczesny; Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs De Ligt, Alex Sandro; Rodrigo Bentancur, Aaron Ramsey, Federico Bernardeschi; Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Alvaro Morata.18:19
Instead, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata join forces in attack for the visiting side, while Aaron Ramsey and Federico Bernardeschi feature in midfield. Udinese, meanwhile, will start their first Serie A game without captain and talisman Rodrigo De Paul, who recently moved to Atletico Madrid, and the Zebrette give a league debut to new goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, following his switch from Verona. 18:13
It has been confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will not start today, and returning Juventus coach Max Allegri has left his star man on the bench. He is reportedly angling for a move away from Turin before the end of the transfer window and therefore takes a seat alongside summer signing Manuel Locatelli, who last week joined from Sassuolo.18:27
Juventus kick off the new league season having been dethroned as champions after nearly a decade of dominance, so will be intent on getting off to a winning start in Udine. The home side finished in their customary mid-table position last term, but have been regular whipping boys for the Old Lady.18:06
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Udinese v Juventus at the Dacia Arena, in the opening round of the Serie A season!18:01
Udinese - Juventus is a match of 1 day of the season Serie A 2021/2022. The match will be 22 august at 18:30 in the stadium Dacia Arena in Udine. Referee of Udinese - Juventus will be Ivano Pezzuto with the help of Giacomo Paganessi e Salvatore Longo. At VAR there will be Maurizio Mariani.
Last year Udinese finished 14° with 40 points in Serie A while Juventus finished 4° with 78 points in Serie A qualifying for the Champions League 2021/2022 .
Where to see Udinese-Juventus You can see the live match Udinese-Juventus here on Virgilio Sport staring 18:30 CET of 22 august. Discover who will broadcast the live match Udinese - Juventus between Sky and Dazn.
