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Matri double downs Udinese as Juve move clear

Alessandro Matri was twice on target as unbeaten Juventus stretched their Serie A lead to four points with a 2-1 success against third-placed Udinese Calcio in snowy Turin.

Seria A: 28 January ©Getty Images

Alessandro Matri scored twice as Juventus stretched their Serie A lead to four points with a 2-1 home win against third-placed Udinese Calcio.

There were chances for both sides in an open game played in heavy snow, with Samir Handanovič forced to deny Marcelo Estigarribia with his legs within the opening two minutes, while Gianluigi Buffon, on his 34th birthday, was called upon to tip Almen Abdi's snapshot over the bar and turn Pablo Armero's volley wide. Aided by shocking pink shirts in the snowswept conditions, La Vecchia Signora made the breakthrough three minutes before half-time after Fabio Quagliarella forced Handanovič into a fine reaction save with a smart header and Matri tucked away the rebound.

The Friulani hit back on 56 minutes when Mauricio Isla broke towards the area and teed up substitute Antonio Floro Flores, who curled a shot expertly past Buffon. However, four minutes later Juve's leading goalscorer ensured a 12th league win for Antonio Conte's unbeaten side when reacting first to Claudio Marchisio's flick-on and dragging a low shot across Handanovič.

In Serie A's other fixture Calcio Catania were held to a 1-1 home draw by Parma FC, for whom Francesco Modesto (43) cancelled out Gonzalo Bergessio's opening goal (33).

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