Juve lose to Udinese

Defeat ended a much-changed Juve’s 47-match unbeaten home league record.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri was bitterly disappointed after reigning champions Juventus started this season with a defeat at home against Udinese. “Everyone they’ve bought is useful, there’s no wasted money of players brought in for the bench”.

It was Stefano Colantuono’s first match in charge of Udinese – although his 200th as coach in the top flight. “Our spirit is to fight for every ball and you saw that”.

Elsewhere, Sassuolo secured a 2-1 triumph at home to Napoli while Chievo defeated Empoli 3-1 away and Sampdoria trounced Serie A newcomers Carpi 5-2.

Allegri’s new-look Juve began life without Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal on the front foot, with Kingsley Coman particularly lively in attack alongside Mandzukic. Alvaro Morata has a calf problem, Khedira is out with a thigh injury and Claudio Marchisio is expected to be unavailable for three weeks with a similar issue.

“In the first half especially he had some good moves, but we must not forget he needs time to grow like the other players who arrived this summer”.

Last season’s Uefa Champions League finalists controlled possession and had five shots on goal but could not find a way past Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis.

Udinese scored with their first shot on goal, we must have the confidence to score a goal at any time and we must not lose patience.

The match turned in the 36th minute when Rodrigo Ely was sent off for two bookings – both for fouls on Nikola Kalinic.

Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez – who had pulled off a stunning save moments earlier – guessed the right way but could not prevent Ilicic’s spot-kick from going into the bottom right corner.