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Ex-Real Madrid's David Alaba signs with Udinese
Ex-Real Madrid’s David Alaba Signs with Udinese
Austrian defender David Alaba has officially completed a surprise move to Udinese on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Real Madrid. The 32-year-old veteran made his highly anticipated Serie A debut immediately, starting in Udinese’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cagliari at the Bluenergy Stadium.
Match Overview
Udinese secured a crucial three points on Matchday 9, grinding out a 1-0 home win against a resilient Cagliari side. Alaba anchored the hosts’ three-man defense, playing the full 90 minutes and instantly organizing a backline that had conceded 10 goals in its previous five outings.
The match’s decisive moment came in the 67th minute when striker Lorenzo Lucca headed home a precise cross from Kingsley Ehizibue. Despite late pressure from the visitors, Udinese’s newly reinforced defense held firm to secure only their third clean sheet of the season.
Key Stats & Facts
The match featured high-intensity physical duels, with Udinese relying on defensive efficiency rather than possession to secure the victory.
- Scoreline: Udinese 1-0 Cagliari
- Possession: Udinese 44% - 56% Cagliari
- Total Shots: Udinese 9 - 11 Cagliari
- Shots on Target: Udinese 3 - 2 Cagliari
- Fouls Committed: Udinese 14 - 12 Cagliari
- Yellow Cards: Udinese 2 (Bijol 41’, Touré 78’) - Cagliari 1 (Makoumbou 29’)
David Alaba’s Debut Statistics:
- Minutes Played: 90
- Pass Accuracy: 89% (41 of 46 passes completed)
- Clearances: 6 (match high)
- Interceptions: 3
- Ground Duels Won: 4 of 5 (80%)
Player Spotlight
All eyes were on David Alaba, who transitioned seamlessly into Italian football after registering 102 appearances and winning four major trophies during his tenure with Real Madrid. Operating as the left-sided center-back, Alaba’s elite distribution was on display, completing four accurate long balls to stretch Cagliari’s defensive lines.
His leadership was the catalyst for Udinese’s defensive turnaround. He recorded a match-high six clearances, including a vital goal-line intervention in the 84th minute to deny Cagliari forward Roberto Piccoli.
Standings Impact
The 1-0 victory elevates Udinese to 7th place in the Serie A standings, bringing their total to 16 points from nine matches. They sit just two points behind the top four, reigniting hopes for European qualification.
Conversely, Cagliari’s defeat leaves them hovering in 15th place with nine points, just two points clear of the relegation zone. Udinese’s defensive reinforcement with Alaba signals a serious push to challenge Italy’s traditional powerhouses for a top-six finish.