The veteran Udinese keeper says the club’s slump is a team problem, as the Super Eagles goalkeeper faces growing criticism in Serie A.
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Udinese goalkeeper Daniele Padelli has defended teammate Maduka Okoye after growing criticism of the Nigerian international, as FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports. Padelli says Okoye has become a scapegoat for the club’s difficult season.
Okoye has conceded 25 goals and kept just one clean sheet in 11 league games this season. Udinese lost 2-1 at Venezia on November 6 and have reportedly lost eight of their last nine league matches. That defeat reportedly left them at the bottom of Serie A.
Before that, Okoye conceded five goals in a heavy defeat to Roma. Readers curious about betting offers can read this Bet9ja referral code explained guide.
“In these situations, you look for a scapegoat,” Padelli told TV 12. He said the same has happened to every goalkeeper, including himself.
Padelli pointed to the Venezia game. He said the most decisive goalkeeper in that match was Venezia’s Filip Stankovic, not Okoye. He stressed that the team should avoid focusing on individuals and should build a collective identity.
The veteran also spoke about the mental side of the slump. He said that after conceding, the team struggles mentally and spaces open up even more. He called for Udinese to escape this period of fragility and find some fresh energy. Fans following Serie A can see the Bet9ja promo code breakdown.
Okoye was left out of Eric Chelle’s squad for Friday’s AFCON qualifier against Tanzania, so club form is not the only issue he faces. Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali are among the goalkeepers called up.
New coach Zanetti took charge for the first time in the defeat at Venezia. The change on the bench has not yet brought the stability Udinese need.
Udinese’s next fixture is against Bologna. Can Okoye and his defenders find some stability? New Bet9ja users can look up the YOHAIG code for new Bet9ja customers.
Padelli’s message is simple: win together and lose together. Okoye will hope his teammates back those words with a better performance.
📌 Did You Know?
- Both Okoye and fellow goalkeeper Razvan Sava suffered injuries earlier this season, which opened the door for Padelli.
- Padelli played his first official game since 2022 in Udinese’s match against Parma after those injuries.
- The defeat at Venezia was played on a Friday night, and Venezia took the lead through Toma Basic in the 53rd minute.
- Zanetti started Keinan Davis and Solet in his first Udinese team selection.
- Okoye made an early save from Venezia’s Antoine Hainaut before the home side broke the deadlock.
