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Udinese vs Juventus: 3 key Udinese players to watch out for

By Jyotirmoy Halder

UDINE, ITALY - MAY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus at Dacia Arena on May 02, 2021 in Udine, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY - MAY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus at Dacia Arena on May 02, 2021 in Udine, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /
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2. Roberto Pereyra

Roberto Pereyra, Udinese Calcio  (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Roberto Pereyra, Udinese Calcio  (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /

Now 30, Roberto Pereyra is a popular figure in Italy. Emerging from the River Plate academy, Pereyra came to Italy holding the hands of the Udinese football club in 2011. After playing four years there and impressing everyone with his performances, Juventus came seeking his services.

As per the traditional norm, when Juventus comes for a player, that player usually listens to the offer. Pereyra did the same. Unable to rebuff the interest, he signed for the Bianconeri on a loan deal in 2014 — which was subsequently made permanent in the next year.

From there, he spent four years in the Premier League with Watford but has since returned to his former den to embark on a new journey. Re-joining Udinese last summer, the Argentine had a reasonable campaign, logging five goals and seven assists from 34 games (according to the numbers from FBref.com) in Serie A 2020/21.

Pereyra possesses the kind of experience Juventus should be wary of. In the first game of the season against one of the favourites to win the title, Pereyra will surely be licking his lips to put up a show on Sunday evening.

In Udinese’s 3-1 victory over Ascoli in their latest Coppa Italia fixture, Pereyra racked up a brace, suggesting that the midfielder is in the form and could pounce if he smells the signs of vulnerabilities in Juve’s defence. Locking Pereyra up would mean a total collapse of Udinese’s overall creativity. Rodrigo Bentancur and co should keep an eye on that.

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