Udinese defeated Atalanta 3-1 on Wednesday evening at the Stadio Friuli in the Coppa Italia, securing a place in the next round of the cup.
Antonio Di Natale got the game’s opening goal early on from the penalty spot before Atalanta’s Gaetano Monachello replicated the early goal aspect of the match after just four minutes into the second-half. Stipe Perica headed the Zebrette back into the lead soon after before captain Di Natale wrapped it up with a fine hooked volley.
Udinese made the perfect start to the match after just four minutes when a penalty kick was awarded to the home side. Di Natale took up the task and unsurprisingly added another to his ever-growing tally of goals, side-footing into the bottom right corner.
18-year-old Alex Meret was tested shortly after by Atalanta’s central striker in Monachello, holding on well to deny the visitors and kept out Marco D’Alessandro following a defensive mix up just a minute later.
After Di Natale just curled a shot over with ten minutes remaining of the first half, Andrea Conti was set in one-on-one with Meret but somehow managed to balloon the chance from all of eight yards out.
Four minutes into the second-half saw another goal replicating the time from the first-half but this time it was Atalanta’s Monachello who stroked home a first-time effort following a superb low-driven cross from Davide Brivio.
The leveller was short-lived when the simplest of goals occurred prior to the hour mark. Ali Adnan delivered a super ball from the by-line into the box for Perica to divert a header past Davide Bassi.
Di Natale guided a wonderful first-time volley from another Adnan cross with just under a quarter-hour remaining to secure their place in the next round.
