Venezia secured an important 2-1 win against Udinese at the Stadio Penzo, as Kike Pérez produced a remarkable long-distance winner that ruined Paolo Zanetti’s debut in charge of the away side. The outcome moved Venezia off the bottom of Serie A and dropped Udinese into last position.
Zanetti was hired earlier in the week after Kosta Runjaic was dismissed. Udinese came into the match with only one point from their preceding eight league fixtures, while Venezia sat just one point above them despite having won only once all season, against Napoli.
Venezia vs Udinese: Hainaut and Pérez inspire turnaround
Venezia started the game aggressively, with Antoine Hainaut testing Maduka Okoye early on. Nicolò Zaniolo then wasted a decent chance after finding room inside the box, sending his shot off target.
The home team kept generating opportunities as Juan Jesus headed a corner just over and Pasquale Mazzocchi curled an attempt narrowly wide from long range. At the opposite end, Filip Stanković kept out Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, while Hainaut shot over after latching onto a rebound. Neither team could find a breakthrough before the interval.
Udinese had a great chance to go ahead soon after the break, but Keinan Davis failed to convert against Stanković from close range in a one-on-one. Venezia made them pay in the 54th minute when Hainaut whipped in a cross from the right and Toma Bašić slotted into the bottom corner.
Udinese hit back almost right away, equalising three minutes later when Matías Moreno put the ball into his own net. The goal withstood a prolonged VAR check regarding Zaniolo’s positioning in the build-up.
Kike Pérez’s wonder strike leaves Udinese bottom of Serie A
Venezia restored their lead in the 65th minute through a brilliant effort from Pérez. After collecting Mazzocchi’s pass, the midfielder struck a left-footed shot from outside the area that sailed into the top corner, leaving Okoye helpless.
Mazzocchi had to come off injured shortly after, but Udinese kept pushing for another equaliser. Stanković made a fine save to deny a long-range attempt from substitute Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Venezia nearly added to their advantage from a corner, with Moreno heading wide before Simon Sohm had his effort blocked. Akor Adams also scored with nine minutes left, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The win lifts Venezia above the bottom spot, leaving them one point behind Monza. Udinese, in contrast, fall to last place. Both sides return to action after the international break, with Venezia travelling to Juventus on 22 November at 12:30 CET and Udinese heading to Bologna at 15:00 CET.