Friday Serie A: Kike Perez Scores Winner as Venezia Beat Udinese 2-1

Venezia beat Udinese 2-1 at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo in Serie A Matchday 11, scoring twice in a 12-minute burst after a goalless first half. Kike Perez grabbed the winner and was the star of the night.

The goals all came after the break. Toma Basic put Venezia ahead in the 53rd minute, guiding in a cross from Antoine Hainaut. 

Udinese hit back four minutes later, when Matias Moreno turned the ball into his own net in the 57th minute under pressure, after Keinan Davis had failed to convert a delivery from Mergim Vojvoda. 

Perez then settled it in the 65th minute, finishing with his left foot from just inside the box after a pass from Pasquale Mazzocchi. Mazzocchi went off injured in the 70th minute, but Venezia stayed solid and saw out five added minutes.

Udinese had more of the ball, with 54% possession and seven corners to three, but they struggled to make it count. Only four of their 26 crosses found a teammate, while Venezia had 44 clearances to their 21 and won more of the duels, especially in the air. 

Venezia also made the better chances, winning the expected goals battle 1.54 to 0.92. Keeper Filip Stankovic made five saves for Venezia, and Maduka Okoye made two for Udinese.