Como, a draw in their season opener: Douvikas answers Kamara’s goal
Udinese and Como played to a 1-1 draw in a lively match full of scoring chances at Bluenergy Stadium. The home team took the lead in the first half on a goal by Kamara, but Douvikas scored the equalizer early in the second half. In the closing minutes, both teams had chances to secure the three points, but first Bayo shot incredibly high from a good position, and then Jacobo Ramon hit the crossbar as stoppage time was nearly over.
Como came out looking to take control of the match right away, trying to control possession and create chances. In the opening minutes, however, neither Jesus Rodriguez nor Douvikas managed to trouble Okoye. Udinese responded in the 15th minute with Vojvoda, a former Como player, who attempted a first-time shot but failed to hit the target. In the 29th minute, the Friulians broke the deadlock. Como lost the ball in midfield after a good attacking move; Yan Couto failed to close down the space, and Ekkelenkamp took advantage to play a precise through ball to Kamara. The Ivorian winger entered the box and beat Butez with an elegant low finish, putting Udinese up 1-0.
Como tried to respond before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Okoye made a decisive save on a header by Douvikas. The Nigerian goalkeeper had already been on his toes just minutes earlier, anticipating Jesus Rodriguez as he charged toward the goal straight from Butez. Fabregas’s team increased the pressure in the closing minutes of the first half, but managed to produce mostly corner kicks and long-range shots, without truly troubling the Bianconeri defense. Early in the second half, Fabregas immediately made some changes, bringing on Da Cunha and Diao in place of Perrone and Baturina. In the 49th minute, however, it was Udinese who had another great chance, capitalizing on yet another miscommunication in Como’s defense. Couto and Jacobo Ramon fail to communicate, leaving Gueye alone in front of the goal, but his left-footed shot sails well over the crossbar.
The equalizer comes in the 54th minute. Following a corner kick taken by Luis Milla, Chalobah was left unmarked in the center of the box and headed the ball toward goal. Okoye made a poor save, and on the rebound, Douvikas was quickest to react, tying the score at 1-1. Como tried to capitalize on the momentum and came close to taking the lead on more than one occasion through Douvikas and Diao, but failed to complete the comeback. The match remained wide open, and in the closing minutes, both teams had opportunities to take home the full three points.
In the 88th minute, the best chance fell to Bayo. The Udinese forward, set up at the end of a great play by Zaniolo, found himself in the center of the box with plenty of time to shoot, but he incredibly blasted the ball high over the bar. Como was no slouch either and came close to a winner in stoppage time. Another corner kick by Luis Milla created a great chance for Jacobo Ramon, who connected with a superb header, but the ball crashed off the crossbar. Thus, an entertaining and hard-fought match ends 1-1, played at a brisk pace despite the stage of the season. It’s a point that leaves both teams with some regrets, especially given the big chances squandered in the closing minutes.
