Udinese took a big step to avoid relegation from Serie A as Kevin Lasagne and substitute Ilija Nestorovski scored a 2-0 win at 10-man AS Roma in each half on Thursday.
The result put Udinese in 14th place with 31 points from 29 games, six in front of the drop zone, while the Roma remained fifth with 12 points behind fourth-placed Atalanta and a berth in the Champions League next season.
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Lasagne kicked off the 12th minute after preparing Rodrigo De Paul for a solo run, and swept the ball home from close range after the midfielder’s miss fell straight back into his path.
Goalkeeper Antonio Mirante scored a second goal shortly afterwards, and the Roma only came to life after Diego Perotti was knocked out after half an hour of a ruthless challenge against Rodrigo Becao.
Visiting goalkeeper Juan Musso twice defeated Carles Perez and also attempted a Cengiz Under while Bryan Cristantes deflected shot hit the crossbar as the Roma threw the men forward.
If De Paul’s first submission was unknowingly, the second was not accidental as he raced down the right flank and Nestorovski struck back the ball in the 78th minute to get his foot into a gaping net.
