Udinese continued their strong start to the Serie A season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over newly-promoted Como at the Dacia Arena. The match was decided by a fortuitous goal from Brazilian striker Brenner just before halftime, marking his first tally in Italy’s top flight.
Under new manager Kosta Runjaic, Udinese have now gone unbeaten in their opening three league fixtures. The German tactician seems to be making an immediate impact since taking the helm this summer.
The home side took the lead in unusual fashion when Kingsley Ehizibue’s cross found Brenner in the box. As the forward was slipping, he managed to connect with the ball, sending a looping volley that caught Como goalkeeper Pepe Reina by surprise, nestling inside the near post.
Como had their chances to equalize, coming closest through Gabriel Strefezza’s effort that grazed the post just before the interval. The visitors pushed hard for a leveler in the second half, with Marc Kempf’s header cleared off the line by Ehizibue.
The drama reached a crescendo in stoppage time when Como were awarded a penalty after a handball by Martin Payero. However, Patrick Cutrone squandered the golden opportunity, firing his spot-kick wide of the post in the 95th minute.
This narrow victory sees Udinese continue their positive momentum under Runjaic’s guidance. For Como and their manager Cesc Fabregas, the search for a first Serie A win since their return to the top flight goes on, though they will rue Cutrone’s last-gasp miss.
Goals: Brenner 43 (U)
Udinese (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Kabasele (38′ st Kristensen), Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Karlstrom, Lovric (34′ st Payero), Zemura; Thauvin (25′ st Bravo), Brenner (25′ st Ekkelenkamp); Lucca (25′ st Davis).
Como (4-4-2): Reina; Iovine (1′ st Van Der Brempt), Dossena, Kempf, Moreno; Strefezza (38′ st Gabrielloni), Mazzitelli (18′ st Sergi Roberto), Perrone, Da Cunha (18′ st Fadera); Belotti (18′ st Paz), Cutrone.
