Venezia Stun Udinese 2-1: Lagoon Lions Escape Serie A Bottom as Nigerian Duo Clash

Venezia claimed a vital 2-1 victory over Udinese at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo on Friday night, ending a goal drought and climbing off the foot of the Serie A table in a match packed with tension, an own goal, and a moment of individual brilliance.

The hosts, managed by Davide Nicola, broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Toma Baši? finished a low cross from Antoine Hainaut. Udinese equalized four minutes later through an own goal by Matías Moreno after Keinan Davis diverted a cross.

Spanish midfielder Kike Pérez then produced the decisive moment in the 65th minute, unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box that left Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye with no chance.

The result transformed the bottom of the Serie A standings. Venezia moved up to 19th place with 6 points from 11 matches (2 wins, 0 draws, 9 losses), while Udinese dropped to rock bottom in 20th with just 5 points (1 win, 2 draws, 8 losses). It is the first time in 16 years that Udinese have occupied the sole last place, a bitter debut for new coach Paolo Zanetti.

Nigerian interest centered on two Super Eagles internationals on opposite sides. Okoye started in goal for the visitors and completed the full 90 minutes, but suffered another difficult evening. He was beaten by Baši?’s angled finish and then by Pérez’s thunderous effort. The defeat extended Udinese’s miserable run to eight losses in their last nine Serie A games, leaving the tall shot-stopper under increasing pressure as his team’s defensive frailties continue.

At the other end, Akor Adams led the Venezia attack and played the entire match. The striker did not score but remained a constant presence, linking play and forcing Udinese’s back line to stay alert.

His side’s victory ends a three-match losing streak and gives the Lagunari breathing room in the relegation scrap. Adams has already shown he can deliver decisive moments this season, and his work rate here helped secure three precious points.

The ramifications are clear for both clubs. Venezia’s win injects belief into a squad that had scored only six goals in their first 10 matches. Climbing off the bottom provides psychological relief ahead of a tough upcoming fixture against Juventus. For Udinese, the situation looks grim.

Zanetti’s arrival has yet to spark an immediate turnaround, and sitting bottom with a negative goal difference of -13 leaves the Friulians staring at a long relegation battle. The next matches after the international break—against Bologna for Udinese and Juventus for Venezia—will test whether this result was a one-off or the start of contrasting trajectories.

In a season already defined by early struggles at the bottom, this derby of the Northeast delivered drama, a Nigerian subplot, and a significant shift in the Serie A survival race.

Venezia are no longer the clear favorites for the drop; Udinese now carry that unwanted tag.