Udinese 0 - 1 US Sassuolo Calcio : Magnanelli nets Sassuolo winner

Posted Sunday, May 24, 2015 by PA

Sassuolo defeated 10-man Udinese 1-0 on Sunday afternoon to continue their strong finish to the season.

Francesco Magnanelli struck the only goal of the contest at the Friuli stadium in the 70th minute and Sassuolo held on for their third straight victory.

Udinese had midfielder Guilherme sent off 10 minutes from time for a second yellow card.

The result sees Sassuolo, who beat AC Milan 3-2 in the previous round, rise to 12th in the standings with one game remaining while Udinese are left in 16th place with just two wins in their last 12 league games.

Both sides went into the game having assured themselves of top-flight football for next season.

Udinese started the game in determined fashion and in the fifth minute, Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi made a vital block from Stipe Perica's goal-bound shot from 12 yards.

The hosts were forced to make their first substitution in the 29th minute with goalkeeper Simone Scuffet replacing an injured Orestis Karnezis.

Udinese almost broke the deadlock two minutes later when Danilo ghosted past his marker and headed Panagiotis Kone's cross on target, but his powerful attempt was saved by Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.

Sassuolo showed more grit before the interval and Simone Zaza twice came close to scoring.

In the 42nd minute, Magnanelli set up Zaza in the box and his left-footed attempt from the near post was saved by Scuffet.

On the stroke of half-time, Zaza latched onto a loose ball in the Udinese area and drilled in a right-footed shot that was kept out by Scuffet.

Sassuolo picked up where they left off after the re-start with close-range efforts from Antonio Floro Flores and Zaza going wide.

In the 67th minute, Kone's header from substitute Antonio Di Natale's cross failed to find the target.

Three minutes later Sassuolo broke the deadlock.

Berardi set up Magnanelli just outside the area and he struck a right-footed effort past a helpless Scuffet.

Udinese could find no way back after that and, with 10 minutes remaining, they lost Guilherme to a red card when he was handed his marching orders after a late challenge on Zaza.