Udiness 0-0 Brescia: Stalemate extends Udinese home record
Posted Sunday, February 20, 2011 by PA
Udinese extended their long unbeaten run at the Friuli Stadium with a goalless draw against Brescia but lost ground on fourth-place Lazio.
Francesco Guidolin's Udinese went into the game on the back of two straight wins but could not find their way past Brescia goalkeeper Michele Arcari.
The result has left Udinese fifth in the standings, four points behind Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot. Lazio beat Bari 1-0.
Brescia, meanwhile, lie 18th in the standings, three points from safety.
Udinese went into the match unbeaten at home since September 19, the same day that rivals Brescia last won on the road.
It was the visitors who had the better start.
In the seventh minute, Gaetano Berardi's right-footed strike from 25 yards was met by a fine save from Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
Shortly after, Brescia put a good move together when Panagiotis Kone served an unmarked Andrea Caracciolo and his goal-bound shot was kept out by Handanovic.
Udinese could have taken an 11th minute lead but German Denis' right-footed effort from the heart of the area was saved by Arcari.
Udinese then struggled to break Brescia's defensive wall and it was the visitors that threatened before half-time.
Cristiano Zanetti fired a bullet strike from outside the area that was parried away by Handanovic.
Udinese showed more aggression after the break and should have broken the deadlock in the 51st minute.
Mauricio Isla fed German Denis inside the area but he drove the ball over the bar.
Seconds later, Antonio Di Natale then wasted another chance when he struck just wide from eight yards.
Brescia should have punished Udinese in the 66th minute but Jonathan Zabina's header from Eder's cross went off target.
With two minutes remaining, Arcari denied Udinese one last time when Di Natale hit the ball on target from 20 yards.
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