New Delhi: Juventus welcomed Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico hoping to get back within five points of runaway leaders Inter.
The home side started strongly and after just a minute Diego made a good run on the right and fired a cross-shot that hit the outside of the net.
The Brazilian playmaker threatened again in the 5th minute, when he fired a shot from distance that was parried by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, and as the ball came back down Cristian Zapata did well to clear the ball away from Amauri.
Seven minutes later Mauro Camoranesi sent in a dangerous cross toward the far post which found Sebastian Giovinco, whose left-footed shot was well-saved by Handanovic.
After that there was a long quiet period in the match, as both sides struggled to create chances. At the half hour mark, there was a chance for Camoranesi as he was in a good position to shoot following a corner kick, but his shot was blocked.
Eight minutes later the Italian international found Amauri in the area after a good team move, but the striker couldn’t beat Handanovic with his volleyed shot.
A minute before half time, Udinese saw a goal chalked off for offside as Gaetano D’Agostino’s shot from the edge of the area was turned in by Mauricio Isla, who was judged to be beyond the last Juventus defender when D’Agostino struck his shot.
During the break neither coach opted to make a change.
Five minutes in, Juve finally broke the deadlock, as Christian Poulsen sent the ball forward for Jose Caceres, who played it back into the area to Fabio Grosso, and the Italian international full back had no problems beating Handanovic.
The home side continued to attack after that, and in the 64th minute after a nice one-two on the left between substitute Alessandro Del Piero and Diego, the Brazilian sent in a cross that was parried by Handanovic, and on the rebound Mohamed Sissoko fired a shot that went just over the bar.
A minute later Udinese had their first real chance, with a shot by Antonio Floro Flores from the edge of the area that was parried away by Buffon with his foot.
In the 77th minute, Handanovic had to come up with a great save to prevent an own goal by Dusan Basta, as a Del Piero corner kick accidentally landed on the defender's head and nearly put Juve 2-0 up.
Five minutes later, the Juventus captain claimed a penalty as he controlled a pass by Fabio Cannavaro and appeared to be brought down by Basta, but the referee waved play on.
In injury time there were a couple more dangerous incidents. In the 93rd minute Zapata forced Buffon into a good save with a low left-footed shot, and a minute later Bernardo Corradi seemed to be brought down by Giorgio Chiellini, but the referee didn't give a penalty.
In the end the home side held on to their slim lead and earned a priceless victory that allows them to move within five points of leaders Inter. Currently they are second with 27 points, while Udinese are 14th with 15 points.
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