VENICE, Italy, November 6, 2026: Kike Pérez delivered a lifeline to Venezia’s survival campaign with a spectacular second-half winner as Davide Nicola’s side defeated Udinese 2-1 at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Friday, climbing off the bottom of Serie A for the first time since mid-August. Toma Bašić broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, only for defender Matías Moreno to divert the ball into his own net four minutes later. But Pérez restored Venezia’s lead in the 65th minute with a superb left-footed strike from outside the penalty area, securing three points that transformed the relegation standings and left Udinese in last place.
The outcome was particularly painful for Paolo Zanetti, who began his tenure as Udinese manager with defeat against a club he previously coached. The visitors created enough opportunities to avoid losing, with Keinan Davis and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp both threatening Filip Stanković’s goal, but were unable to turn their attacking spells into victory. Udinese have now suffered eight defeats in their last nine league matches and remain on five points after eleven games. Venezia moved to six, ending a three-match losing sequence without scoring and giving Nicola his second home victory since taking charge.
Venezia 2-1 Udinese: Full-Time Score, Goals and Match Details
The Serie A Matchweek 11 contest brought together the bottom two teams in a direct battle for survival points.
Venezia entered Friday with only three points from their first ten matches. Udinese had five, giving the visitors an opportunity to create a five-point gap over their opponents.
Instead, the hosts secured their second league victory and overtook Udinese in the standings.
| Match Detail | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Serie A 2026-27 |
| Matchweek | 11 |
| Date | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Venue | Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Venice |
| Final score | Venezia 2-1 Udinese |
| Halftime | 0-0 |
| Venezia goals | Toma Bašić 53′, Kike Pérez 65′ |
| Udinese goal | Matías Moreno own goal 57′ |
| Venezia manager | Davide Nicola |
| Udinese manager | Paolo Zanetti |
| Referee | Juan Luca Sacchi |
| Video assistant referee | Matteo Gariglio |
| Venezia points after victory | 6 |
| Udinese points after defeat | 5 |
| Immediate consequence | Venezia move 19th, Udinese drop to 20th |
The victory interrupted a difficult period for Venezia, who had lost their previous three league games without scoring against Genoa, Inter and Como.
Udinese arrived under greater immediate pressure. Their recent results had already prompted a managerial change, and Zanetti faced the challenge of delivering improvement in his first match.
The official Lega Serie A match report confirms Venezia’s victory and the immediate exchange of positions at the bottom of the table.
How Venezia Beat Udinese: Three Goals in Twelve Second-Half Minutes
The first half contained promising attacks but no goals.
Both teams had opportunities to take the lead, and both goalkeepers were required to intervene during important moments.
The contest changed dramatically after the interval.
Bašić put Venezia ahead, Moreno’s own goal restored parity, and Pérez settled the match with a powerful finish.
Complete Match Timeline and Decisive Moments
| Minute | Incident | Score | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6′ | Antoine Hainaut denied by Maduka Okoye | 0-0 | Venezia waste an early opportunity |
| 20′ | Pasquale Mazzocchi shoots narrowly wide | 0-0 | Hosts threaten from outside the area |
| 33′ | Stanković saves from Jurgen Ekkelenkamp | 0-0 | Udinese create an excellent opening |
| 35′ | Davis strikes the woodwork during a move involving an offside position | 0-0 | Another warning for Venezia |
| 50′ | Stanković denies Davis at close range | 0-0 | Major chance for Udinese before the breakthrough |
| 53′ | Bašić scores from Hainaut’s delivery | 1-0 | Venezia take the lead |
| 57′ | Moreno own goal, confirmed after VAR review | 1-1 | Udinese equalize |
| 64′ | Ekkelenkamp curls an effort narrowly wide | 1-1 | Visitors threaten to complete the turnaround |
| 65′ | Kike Pérez scores from outside the area | 2-1 | Venezia regain the lead |
| 70′ | Mazzocchi replaced by Ridgeciano Haps | 2-1 | Nicola adjusts after the right-sided contributor’s injury |
| Full time | Venezia secure victory | 2-1 | Udinese fall to the bottom of Serie A |
TSE statistical finding: All three goals arrived within twelve minutes of one another, from the 53rd to the 65th minute.
That represented only 13.3% of normal regulation time, yet it determined all three points in the contest.
The scoring sequence also reveals an important psychological and tactical detail.
Venezia did not allow Moreno’s own goal to completely derail their approach. They continued looking for opportunities rather than retreating into a purely defensive shape.
Within eight minutes of conceding the equalizer, they had regained the lead.
Kike Pérez: The Goal That Lifted Venezia Out of Last Place
Kike Pérez produced the decisive moment in the 65th minute.
Receiving the ball from Pasquale Mazzocchi near the edge of the penalty area, the Spanish midfielder created space and struck a powerful left-footed shot toward the upper corner.
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye could do little to stop it.
The finish transformed a match that had briefly appeared capable of swinging toward the visitors.
Only moments earlier, Ekkelenkamp had attempted to put Udinese ahead with a curling shot that narrowly missed the target.
Instead, Venezia punished their opponents at the other end.
Why Pérez’s Winner Was More Than an Excellent Shot
The goal demonstrated the importance of a midfielder arriving in a dangerous shooting position when the opposition’s defense is occupied by forwards.
Udinese had several players attempting to protect the central areas, but Pérez received enough room to prepare his effort.
His timing was significant.
Had Venezia surrendered possession or delayed the attack, the visiting defense might have reorganized.
Instead, Pérez acted before Udinese could establish full pressure on the ball.
It was the kind of individual contribution that can determine a relegation contest when neither team consistently dominates.
The victory does not erase Venezia’s wider attacking problems, but it gives the club evidence that midfield players can contribute goals when the forwards are being closely marked.
Toma Bašić: The Midfielder Who Finally Broke the Deadlock
Before Pérez’s winner, Bašić provided the breakthrough Venezia had struggled to find.
The home side developed an attacking move down the right, with Antoine Hainaut reaching an advanced position and cutting the ball back.
Bašić arrived inside the penalty area and guided a left-footed finish beyond Okoye.
The goal rewarded his movement from midfield.
Rather than remaining outside the box waiting for a long-range shooting opportunity, Bašić advanced into the space created by Venezia’s forwards.
That movement made Hainaut’s cutback considerably more dangerous.
Why Nicola Needed Goals From Midfield
Venezia had entered the match after three league defeats without scoring.
The lack of attacking production had become a central concern.
Against Genoa, Inter and Como, the team had been unable to find a successful final action despite periods of competitive play.
Bašić’s goal provided an alternative source of attacking production.
The importance becomes clearer when examining Venezia’s earlier losses.
In September, AC Milan defeated the promoted side 2-0 at San Siro, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring before a late own goal sealed the result.
Our analysis of AC Milan’s victory over Venezia examined how the visitors competed for substantial periods without converting their attacking opportunities.
Against Udinese, Bašić and Pérez finally gave the team the finishing contributions required to turn pressure into victory.
Antoine Hainaut: The Overlooked Performer Behind Venezia’s Victory
Although Pérez scored the winner, Hainaut deserves substantial credit for Venezia’s performance.
The right-sided player repeatedly found useful positions, challenged Udinese’s defensive organization and created the opening goal.
He also had an excellent opportunity to score in the sixth minute.
A favorable deflection left him facing Okoye, but the goalkeeper used his feet to save the attempt.
That early miss could have damaged Hainaut’s confidence.
Instead, he continued providing width and attacking support.
His most important contribution arrived shortly after halftime when he reached the right side of the penalty area and supplied the cutback for Bašić.
Why Hainaut’s Contribution Matters Tactically
Venezia’s approach under Nicola depends partly on wingbacks providing attacking width.
When the central forwards occupy defenders, wider players can find space to deliver crosses or cutbacks.
Hainaut gave the home side a route around Udinese’s defensive block rather than requiring every move to pass through central midfield.
That variation helped create the opening goal.
Italian broadcaster Sky Sport rated Hainaut among the game’s strongest performers.
His contribution is especially important because it shows that Venezia’s improvement was not simply the result of two impressive finishes.
The team created the circumstances in which those finishes became possible.
Matías Moreno’s Own Goal Nearly Undid Venezia’s Good Work
Venezia’s afternoon almost changed direction immediately after taking the lead.
Udinese responded quickly, moving the ball toward the right before Nicolò Zaniolo delivered into the penalty area.
Keinan Davis became involved in the subsequent action, and Moreno diverted the ball into his own net.
The goal was awarded after a lengthy VAR examination of Zaniolo’s position earlier in the move.
The equalizer exposed the narrow margins Venezia have faced throughout the season.
A promising period of attacking play had finally produced a lead, only for the defense to surrender it four minutes later.
Moreno’s Repeated Own Goals Raise a Defensive Question
The incident also followed an own goal involving Moreno during Venezia’s recent defeat to Inter.
That makes the latest mistake part of a worrying sequence rather than an entirely isolated event.
However, attributing every own goal solely to the defender would oversimplify the situation.
Defenders frequently make involuntary contact while attempting to prevent dangerous crosses from reaching attackers.
The more useful question concerns the positioning and communication that allowed the ball to reach the danger area.
Nicola must reduce the number of situations in which Venezia’s defenders are forced into emergency interventions facing their own goal.
The broader competitive context was evident in TSE’s report on Venezia’s 4-2 defeat to Fiorentina, when Franco Mastantuono’s hat trick exposed serious problems in defensive transitions.
The victory against Udinese offers encouragement, but the defensive concerns remain relevant.
Filip Stanković: The Saves That Kept Venezia Alive
Venezia’s goalkeeper played an important role before either of the home goals.
Stanković denied Ekkelenkamp during the first half with a diving save.
He also made a crucial intervention against Davis early in the second period.
That second opportunity was particularly dangerous.
Davis moved into a strong attacking position with the goal in sight, but Stanković extended his leg to prevent Udinese from taking the lead.
Moments later, Venezia scored through Bašić.
The sequence illustrates how goalkeeping can influence the direction of a match even when the goalkeeper does not produce the headline moment.
Stanković’s Previous Heroics Against Napoli
This was not the first time Stanković had protected Venezia in an important home fixture.
On October 17, he saved a Kevin De Bruyne penalty as Venezia defeated Napoli 1-0.
Akor Adams scored the winning goal in that match, giving Nicola a victory in his first game in charge.
The performance was examined in TSE’s comprehensive Serie A report covering Venezia’s upset of Napoli.
The connection matters.
Against Napoli, Stanković’s penalty save protected a narrow lead.
Against Udinese, his interventions prevented the opponents from establishing an advantage before Venezia’s attacking players delivered.
Those performances suggest that reliable goalkeeping could be an important part of Nicola’s survival strategy.
Nevertheless, Venezia cannot expect their goalkeeper to compensate indefinitely for defensive errors.
Udinese’s Missed Chances: Why Keinan Davis and Ekkelenkamp Could Not Rescue Zanetti
Udinese had opportunities to produce a different result.
Ekkelenkamp forced Stanković into an important save in the first half.
Davis then missed a close-range opportunity during a sequence that was also affected by an offside position.
After halftime, Davis again found space to threaten the goal but was denied by the goalkeeper.
Those chances were valuable because they came before Venezia’s first goal.
Had Udinese taken one of them, the hosts would have faced the difficult task of breaking down a team protecting an advantage.
Instead, the visitors allowed Venezia to remain level until Bašić scored.
Davis Had a Direct Influence on the Equalizer
Davis did contribute to Udinese’s goal.
His involvement in the move following Zaniolo’s cross helped create the situation from which Moreno diverted the ball into his own net.
That demonstrated his ability to cause problems for defenders through physical presence and positioning.
But the striker was unable to supply the decisive finish Udinese needed.
The challenge for Zanetti is to turn that attacking presence into more consistent goals.
Ekkelenkamp’s Shooting Showed the Visitors Were Competitive
Ekkelenkamp also produced several promising moments.
His early effort required an impressive save from Stanković.
Later, with the score at 1-1, he curled another shot narrowly wide.
The second chance came shortly before Pérez scored Venezia’s winner.
That timing was especially damaging.
Udinese went from threatening to lead to trailing again within a brief period.
Such reversals can be decisive for teams already struggling with confidence and results.
Venezia vs Udinese Match Statistics: An Even Contest Decided by Finishing
The statistical picture supports the impression of a closely contested match.
Both teams attempted 12 shots and registered four on target.
Possession was also relatively balanced, with Udinese holding slightly more of the ball.
Yet Venezia scored twice from their four attempts on target, while Udinese’s equalizer came through an own goal.
| Statistic | Venezia | Udinese |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Possession | 48.5% | 51.5% |
| Total shots | 12 | 12 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 4 |
| Shot accuracy | 33.3% | 33.3% |
| Shots off target or otherwise not on target | 8 | 8 |
| Corners | 1 | 3 |
| Offsides | 2 | 3 |
| Fouls | 10 | 5 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
The shot-accuracy percentages are calculated from four on-target efforts out of twelve attempts for each side.
These figures use Sky Sport’s match statistics and do not include invented expected-goals values.
TSE statistical insight: Venezia and Udinese produced identical total-shot and on-target-shot counts, but the hosts converted two of their four on-target attempts into goals.
This is equivalent to a 50% goals-to-shots-on-target ratio for Venezia.
Udinese registered four on-target attempts without scoring directly from one of those shots, as their goal was officially credited as Moreno’s own goal.
That distinction is important when interpreting attacking efficiency.
An own goal contributes to the scoreline but does not become a conventional goal credited to the attacking player.
Venezia’s finishing, rather than overwhelming statistical dominance, was the key difference.
Davide Nicola’s 3-5-2: How Venezia Created the Winning Opportunities
Nicola used a 3-5-2 system, with Bašić and Simon Sohm providing central midfield support behind Akor Adams and John Yeboah.
Hainaut and Mazzocchi operated in the wider positions.
The structure was important because it allowed Venezia to defend with a back three while using the wingbacks to support attacks.
The first goal came from that approach.
Hainaut reached the right side of the penalty area and supplied the ball for Bašić.
The winner also involved a wide player, with Mazzocchi creating the opportunity for Pérez.
Why the Right Side Became Venezia’s Most Important Route
Both of Venezia’s goals involved contributions from the right side.
That suggests Nicola’s team found a productive way to attack areas outside Udinese’s central defensive structure.
Udinese began with a back three and wingbacks of their own, but the visitors did not consistently prevent opponents from reaching positions where cutbacks or passes toward the edge of the penalty area became possible.
The first goal exposed a central midfielder arriving inside the box.
The second exposed the space available to a midfielder shooting from distance.
Those were different types of finish, but both emerged from the effectiveness of Venezia’s wider attacking support.
Why the System Still Needs Improvement
Venezia were not consistently secure in possession or defense.
Udinese created several chances and threatened to take the lead before the hosts scored.
The own goal also showed how quickly the defensive structure could become unsettled.
Nicola’s challenge is to retain attacking width without repeatedly exposing his defenders to dangerous deliveries and emergency clearances.
That balance becomes especially important against stronger opponents.
Paolo Zanetti’s Udinese Debut Ends in Defeat Against His Former Club
Zanetti’s appointment brought hope that Udinese could arrest a deeply worrying run of results.
His first match was against Venezia, where he previously worked as head coach.
That added personal interest to a fixture already carrying enormous significance in the relegation race.
Zanetti selected a 3-4-2-1 arrangement, with Davis leading the attack and Zaniolo and Ekkelenkamp supporting him.
Oumar Solet returned to the starting defense, while Jesper Karlström captained the side from midfield.
Udinese showed enough attacking quality to create opportunities, but the team continued to struggle with defensive consistency.
Why the Coaching Change Has Not Yet Produced Results
One match is too small a sample to judge a new manager’s overall effectiveness.
Zanetti had limited time to prepare his players and establish a revised tactical approach.
Nevertheless, the immediate outcome was disappointing.
Udinese entered the game five points above neither safety nor confidence, with just one point collected in their previous eight league matches.
The defeat leaves the team rooted to the bottom.
The problems predate Zanetti.
Under Kosta Runjaić, Udinese had already suffered heavy defeats and repeatedly struggled to protect promising positions.
In September, they led Lazio before conceding two late goals and losing 2-1.
That collapse was documented in TSE’s report on Frattesi and Guðmundsson’s comeback against Udinese.
The underlying issue has persisted across different matches: Udinese can create opportunities and compete for substantial periods, but they have struggled to convert those performances into victories.
Udinese’s Slide From Early Promise to Last Place
The season began more encouragingly for Udinese.
They drew 1-1 with Como on the opening weekend and defeated Monza 3-2 away from home.
Those results suggested that the team might establish a competitive foundation.
The Sports Encounter’s opening-weekend Serie A report examined the draw against Como and identified the relatively small margins separating several clubs in the lower half of the table.
Udinese also defeated Venezia 2-1 in the Coppa Italia in September.
But the league campaign deteriorated.
Inter recovered from a two-goal deficit to defeat Udinese 5-3 at San Siro.
The loss was examined in TSE’s analysis of Inter’s five-goal comeback, which highlighted how Udinese’s promising start disappeared under sustained pressure.
Further defeats followed.
The club lost 3-0 at home to Lecce on October 18 and 5-2 against Roma on October 31.
The two results showed different versions of the same defensive vulnerability.
Against Lecce, Udinese conceded from a set piece and subsequent attacks.
Against Roma, they were overwhelmed by a rapid sequence of first-half goals.
Both defeats were covered in TSE’s recent Serie A reporting, including the October 18 roundup and the November 1 report on Roma’s five-goal victory.
By the time Zanetti took charge, Udinese’s problems were too substantial to disappear through one tactical adjustment.
Udinese’s Nine-Match Collapse: What Does the Form Tell Us?
Udinese have lost eight of their last nine Serie A fixtures.
The only point collected during that stretch came from the goalless draw at Parma on October 28.
That match featured a major contribution from Okoye, who saved Adrián Bernabé’s second-half penalty.
The Sports Encounter examined that result in its Matchweek 9 Serie A report.
However, even the goalkeeper’s intervention could not deliver a victory.
The Venezia defeat leaves Zanetti facing a team whose most recent run has produced only one point from a possible 27.
| Measure | Udinese’s Recent Nine-Match Run | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Matches played | 9 | Recent league form |
| Wins | 0 | No victories during the period |
| Draws | 1 | Point gained at Parma |
| Defeats | 8 | 88.9% loss rate |
| Points collected | 1 | Out of a possible 27 |
| Points-return percentage | 3.7% | Extremely poor recent yield |
| League position after Venezia defeat | 20th | Bottom of Serie A |
The percentages are calculated from Udinese’s reported nine-match sequence and the standard three-points-for-a-win system.
TSE statistical insight: Udinese have collected just 3.7% of the available points across their last nine league games.
That figure explains the urgency facing Zanetti more clearly than a general statement about poor form.
The new manager has inherited a side that must begin collecting victories, rather than simply reducing losing margins.
Venezia vs Udinese Starting Lineups and Formations
Both teams started with three central defenders, but their attacking structures differed.
Nicola used two central forwards, while Zanetti positioned Davis ahead of two attacking midfielders.
| Position | Venezia (3-5-2) | Udinese (3-4-2-1) |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Filip Stanković | Maduka Okoye |
| Central defenders | Redouane Halhal, Matías Moreno, Juan Jesus | James Abankwah, Matteo Palma, Oumar Solet |
| Wide players | Antoine Hainaut, Pasquale Mazzocchi | Mërgim Vojvoda, Hassane Kamara |
| Central midfield | Kike Pérez, Simon Sohm, Toma Bašić | Jakub Piotrowski, Jesper Karlström |
| Attacking midfield | Not separately designated in starting system | Nicolò Zaniolo, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp |
| Forwards | Akor Adams, John Yeboah | Keinan Davis |
| Captain | Juan Jesus | Jesper Karlström |
| Head coach | Davide Nicola | Paolo Zanetti |
The lineup details are confirmed by Udinese’s official postmatch report and team sheet.
The match also saw several substitutions after the decisive goals.
Zanetti introduced Giorgi Chakvetadze, Unai Gómez, Christian Kabasele, Lennon Miller and Vakoun Bayo as Udinese sought a response.
Nicola brought on Ridgeciano Haps, Lion Lauberbach and Thórir Helgason during the second half.
Those changes did not alter the final result.
Venezia Have Reversed September’s Coppa Italia Result Against Udinese
Friday’s victory also carried a measure of revenge.
On September 2, Udinese defeated Venezia 2-1 in the Coppa Italia.
Richie Sagrado had given Venezia an early lead before Vakoun Bayo scored twice to complete Udinese’s comeback.
That result advanced the Friuli club in the domestic cup.
Just over two months later, Venezia won the league meeting by the same scoreline.
Two Meetings, Two Different Winners
| Date | Competition | Result | Key Scorers | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2, 2026 | Coppa Italia | Udinese 2-1 Venezia | Vakoun Bayo twice; Richie Sagrado | Udinese advance |
| November 6, 2026 | Serie A | Venezia 2-1 Udinese | Toma Bašić, Kike Pérez; Matías Moreno own goal | Venezia escape bottom place |
The symmetry is striking.
Both matches ended 2-1, and both featured the eventual winner recovering from a difficult position or setback during the contest.
But their competitive consequences were different.
The September result advanced Udinese in the cup.
Friday’s result changed the Serie A relegation standings.
For Venezia, league survival makes the second victory particularly important.
Serie A Relegation Battle: Venezia Move to 19th, Udinese Fall to 20th
The immediate standings change is straightforward.
Before kickoff, Udinese had five points and Venezia three.
Udinese could have moved five points clear of their opponents by winning.
Instead, Venezia collected three points, moved to six and overtook Udinese.
The Direct Relegation Six-Pointer
| Scenario | Venezia Points | Udinese Points | Points Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before the match | 3 | 5 | Udinese +2 |
| If Venezia had lost | 3 | 8 | Udinese +5 |
| If match had ended in a draw | 4 | 6 | Udinese +2 |
| Actual result: Venezia win | 6 | 5 | Venezia +1 |
TSE information-gain calculation: The actual outcome leaves Venezia six points better positioned relative to Udinese than the alternative of losing the direct meeting.
A Venezia defeat would have produced a five-point deficit. Their victory instead created a one-point lead.
That six-point swing between the two possible outcomes demonstrates why direct confrontations between relegation rivals carry particular significance.
It does not mean six extra league points were awarded. Venezia received the standard three points for winning.
The calculation measures the difference between the two teams under alternative results.
Why This Is Not Yet a Guarantee of Survival
Venezia remain 19th after the victory, still inside the relegation places.
The club’s six points are a modest return from eleven fixtures.
Udinese remain bottom with five.
Both teams therefore face a difficult task over the remaining league campaign.
Three clubs will be relegated under the standard Serie A competition structure, subject to the applicable regulations.
The distance to safety will also depend on results involving other clubs.
Venezia’s victory provides encouragement, but it does not establish that Nicola’s team has solved its season-long problems.
The wider context was examined in TSE’s 2026-27 Serie A curtain raiser, which identified Venezia among the promoted clubs facing a difficult survival campaign.
Why Venezia’s Second Win Matters More After Three Goalless Defeats
Before Friday, Venezia had collected only one league victory.
That came against Napoli on October 17.
The result briefly raised hopes of a recovery under Nicola, but three successive defeats followed.
Genoa won 1-0.
Inter won 2-0.
Como won 1-0.
Venezia failed to score in all three matches.
The victory over Udinese therefore ended more than a losing sequence.
It interrupted a period in which the attack had produced no goals despite different opponents and tactical situations.
Venezia’s Recent League Results
| Date | Fixture | Result | Venezia Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 17 | Venezia vs Napoli | Won 1-0 | 1 |
| October 25 | Genoa vs Venezia | Lost 1-0 | 0 |
| October 28 | Venezia vs Inter | Lost 0-2 | 0 |
| November 1 | Como vs Venezia | Lost 1-0 | 0 |
| November 6 | Venezia vs Udinese | Won 2-1 | 2 |
Venezia collected six points from those five matches, with both wins coming at the Penzo.
That suggests home performances may be particularly important to their survival prospects.
However, two victories are not enough to establish a permanent home advantage.
Nicola will also need results away from Venice, especially against clubs competing in the lower half.
Why the Victory Is Significant for Davide Nicola
Nicola inherited a difficult situation when he replaced Giovanni Stroppa.
Venezia had returned to Serie A after winning promotion but struggled to adjust to top-flight opposition.
Before Nicola’s arrival, the club had failed to win any league match.
His first game produced a remarkable upset against Napoli.
But the following three fixtures brought defeats and no goals.
Against Udinese, his team showed a different kind of resilience.
They recovered after conceding an equalizer, created useful opportunities from wide areas and maintained enough composure to protect their renewed lead.
The result gives Nicola two home victories from his first three home matches, with the remaining fixture producing a defeat against Inter.
The wider Serie A situation also shows that coaching changes can have different immediate outcomes.
In September, Fiorentina recalled Paolo Vanoli and immediately defeated Venezia 4-2.
Our September Serie A weekend analysis examined how managerial adjustments were already influencing results across the league.
For Nicola, the challenge is building consistency beyond individual emotional victories.
Can Venezia’s Midfield Become the Difference in the Survival Race?
The goals against Udinese came from midfielders rather than the two starting forwards.
Bašić scored after arriving inside the penalty area.
Pérez struck from distance.
That contribution matters because opponents cannot always be expected to allow Adams and Yeboah enough space to produce decisive moments.
A team with multiple scoring threats becomes harder to defend against.
However, Venezia still need more consistent support from their attackers.
Adams scored the winner against Napoli but did not find the net during the following three league defeats.
Yeboah offers movement and direct attacking threat, but finishing efficiency remains a concern for the team.
Nicola must therefore develop an approach that allows forwards and midfielders to contribute without exposing the defensive structure.
Why Udinese’s Defensive Problems Remain the Bigger Concern
Udinese’s latest defeat followed a run in which they repeatedly conceded multiple goals.
Inter scored five against them.
Lecce scored three.
Roma scored five.
Venezia, a team that had struggled badly in front of goal, scored twice.
The pattern suggests that the problem cannot be explained entirely by the quality of opposition attacks.
There are recurring issues involving the protection of dangerous areas and the ability to respond after conceding.
Zanetti now needs to identify which adjustments can be made quickly.
He may consider altering the central defensive line, changing how wingbacks recover or placing greater emphasis on the midfield’s protection of the back three.
These are potential tactical responses, not confirmed changes announced by the coach.
The first competitive evidence of his approach will emerge after the international break.
What Happens Next? Juventus Await Venezia, Bologna Face Udinese
The November international break gives both coaches time to evaluate their teams.
Venezia return to Serie A action away against Juventus on November 22.
Udinese face Bologna away on the same day.
Those fixtures present different challenges.
Juventus have been competing in the upper half of the table and possess substantial attacking quality.
Bologna have recently improved their results, including an important comeback victory over Monza.
Neither opponent represents an easy opportunity for a club currently fighting near the bottom.
Upcoming Fixtures and Survival Implications
| Date | Fixture | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| November 22 | Juventus vs Venezia | Tests whether Nicola’s team can compete away against a stronger opponent |
| November 22 | Bologna vs Udinese | Zanetti seeks his first points as Udinese manager |
| November 27 | Venezia vs Bologna | Another opportunity for Venezia to build on home progress |
| November 29 | Udinese vs Fiorentina | Important chance for Udinese to improve their home results |
Fixture dates are based on the published Serie A calendar and Udinese’s official October–November fixture announcement. Kickoff arrangements remain subject to future league amendments.
The Bologna connection is particularly interesting.
Both relegation-threatened teams face the same opponent immediately after the break, although the circumstances of those fixtures differ.
That will provide another opportunity to compare the responses of Nicola and Zanetti.
What Can Venezia Learn From Other Serie A Survival Rivals?
Venezia’s struggles reflect the difficulty newly promoted and lower-table clubs face in Serie A.
Collecting points against direct rivals can be especially important because those matches alter the standings in two directions.
Lecce demonstrated the value of such opportunities during the opening weekend when they defeated Venezia 2-0.
They subsequently lost against Cagliari, another club seeking to establish distance from the lower positions.
The Sports Encounter’s report on Cagliari’s 1-0 victory over Lecce examined how Daniel Maldini’s goal delivered a valuable result in another match involving teams concerned with survival margins.
Those examples reinforce the importance of points collected against clubs in similar competitive positions.
Venezia’s victory over Udinese belongs to that category.
Whether it becomes the beginning of a lasting recovery will depend on how frequently Nicola’s team can repeat the performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Venezia vs Udinese
Who won Venezia vs Udinese on November 6, 2026?
Venezia defeated Udinese 2-1 at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo in Serie A Matchweek 11.
Who scored Venezia’s winning goal?
Kike Pérez scored the winner in the 65th minute with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
Who scored Venezia’s first goal?
Toma Bašić scored after receiving a cutback from Antoine Hainaut in the 53rd minute.
Who scored Udinese’s goal?
Udinese’s equalizer was officially recorded as an own goal by Venezia defender Matías Moreno in the 57th minute.
Why was VAR involved in Udinese’s equalizer?
Video officials examined Nicolò Zaniolo’s position earlier in the move before confirming that the goal could stand.
Where was Venezia vs Udinese played?
The match took place at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo in Venice, Italy.
Who is Venezia’s head coach?
Davide Nicola is Venezia’s manager, having replaced Giovanni Stroppa in October 2026.
Who is Udinese’s new coach?
Paolo Zanetti took charge of Udinese before the Venezia match, which was his first fixture as manager.
How many points do Venezia have?
Venezia reached six points from eleven Serie A matches following the victory.
How many points do Udinese have?
Udinese remained on five points after eleven matches.
Where are the two clubs in Serie A?
Venezia moved into 19th place while Udinese fell to 20th immediately after Friday’s match, before the remaining Matchweek 11 fixtures.
Who was Venezia’s standout performer?
Kike Pérez scored the winner, but Antoine Hainaut also played a major role by creating the opening goal and consistently threatening from the right.
How many shots did each team have?
Both teams attempted 12 shots, with four on target apiece, according to Sky Sport’s match statistics.
When do Venezia play next?
Venezia are scheduled to visit Juventus on November 22, 2026.
When do Udinese play next?
Udinese are scheduled to face Bologna away on November 22, 2026.
Venezia’s Victory Changes the Relegation Race, but the Real Test Comes Next
Venezia entered Friday as Serie A’s bottom club, carrying the disappointment of three consecutive defeats without a goal.
Udinese arrived with a new manager but little evidence that their prolonged run of poor results was ending.
For much of the first half, neither team looked capable of producing a decisive advantage.
Then the match changed dramatically.
Bašić scored, Moreno’s own goal restored parity, and Pérez produced the finish that ultimately separated the teams.
The victory demonstrated several important qualities in Nicola’s side.
Hainaut delivered attacking width, Stanković made important saves, and midfielders provided goals when the forwards were unable to finish.
But the result also exposed weaknesses that remain unresolved.
Venezia allowed Udinese opportunities to score before and after taking the lead. Their own goal underlined the difficulty of defending dangerous crosses.
For Zanetti, the defeat was an immediate setback.
His team created chances and threatened to win the match, but the same defensive problems that damaged the previous manager’s tenure remained apparent.
Udinese now sit bottom with five points and only one point collected across their last nine league fixtures.
Venezia have six and an opportunity to build confidence during the international break.
Neither side can afford to treat the season as transformed by one match.
Yet direct encounters between relegation rivals can become decisive when the final standings are settled.
The significance of Pérez’s winner may therefore extend far beyond one Friday evening at the Penzo.
For Venezia, it supplied a narrow escape from last place and a reason to believe the survival fight remains alive.
For Udinese, it was another defeat that confirmed the urgency of the task awaiting their new manager.