Udinese achieved a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Parma, with a brace from Florian Thauvin, propelling them to the top of Serie A at the close of the fourth round. After trailing 2-0 at halftime, Udinese mounted an impressive second-half turnaround, showcasing resilience and determination.
Udinese pulled off a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Parma on Monday evening, firmly establishing themselves as the surprise leaders of Serie A after four rounds of matches.
The victory, featuring a decisive brace from French winger Florian Thauvin, marked an astonishing turn of events for a team that has often been more focused on avoiding relegation than competing at the top of the table. Now, with three wins and one draw to their name, Udinese sits alone at the summit of Italian football, a position few could have predicted at the start of the season.
This result against Parma solidifies Udinese's unexpected rise, as they now have 10 points, one clear of second-placed Napoli. For a team that, in recent years, has been a perennial mid-table side, often relying on young talent and selling its top players to bigger clubs, this early success offers a glimmer of hope for what could be a special season. Fans are beginning to dream of European football, though it's still early days in the long Serie A campaign.
The game itself was a tale of two halves. Parma started the match with authority, quickly taking the lead through Enrico Del Prato, who found the back of the net just two minutes into the contest. Parma’s early goal seemed to knock Udinese off balance, and the home side continued to dominate the opening period. Udinese, usually organized and compact, struggled to keep up with Parma’s fluid play and energy. The pressure paid off again for Parma in the 43rd minute when Ange-Yoan Bonny scored, sending Parma into the halftime break with a comfortable 2-0 lead. At that point, it appeared that Parma was on course for an easy victory.
However, the second half saw a revitalized Udinese take to the pitch, completely transforming the dynamic of the game. From the very start of the second period, Udinese displayed far greater urgency, immediately putting Parma under pressure. Their efforts paid off just four minutes after the restart when Lorenzo Lucca scored to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The goal shifted the momentum entirely, and Parma, who had looked so dominant in the first half, began to falter under Udinese’s growing confidence and intensity.
Florian Thauvin, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, became the key figure for Udinese in the latter stages of the match. In the 68th minute, he equalized with a well-taken goal, bringing the score to 2-2. The equalizer not only leveled the match but also swung all the momentum firmly in Udinese’s favor. Parma, visibly shaken by the sudden turnaround, struggled to regain their composure. Just nine minutes later, Thauvin struck again, completing Udinese’s remarkable comeback with a second goal, this time in the 77th minute, to give his side the lead. His clinical finishing and ability to find space in crucial moments proved to be the difference-maker.
Parma, having led by two goals, now found themselves chasing the game. They attempted to mount a late response but were unable to create any clear-cut chances, with Udinese’s defense holding firm in the closing stages. The final whistle confirmed a stunning 3-2 victory for Udinese, a result that left Parma dejected and Udinese’s players celebrating wildly.
The win sends Udinese to the top of the Serie A table, a position that, while unlikely to last for the entire season, is a significant achievement for a club often overshadowed by Italy’s traditional football powerhouses. With 10 points from their first four games, they are ahead of Napoli, who sit second with nine points. This early-season form has given Udinese fans reason to dream, though it remains to be seen whether they can maintain this pace over the long campaign.
Meanwhile, Parma, despite their promising start to the match, now find themselves in the middle of the table with four points from their opening fixtures. The defeat will undoubtedly be a tough one to take, particularly after leading 2-0 at halftime. Parma’s defense, which had been solid in the first half, collapsed under Udinese’s second-half pressure, and the team’s inability to respond after conceding the equalizer will be a concern for the coaching staff moving forward.
In the final match of the round, Lazio hosted Verona and secured a 2-1 victory at home. Portuguese fullback Nuno Tavares played the full 90 minutes for Lazio, helping his side earn an important three points. Lazio’s goals came from Dia and Castellanos, while Danish forward Casper Tengstedt, on loan from Benfica, scored Verona’s only goal. The victory keeps Lazio competitive in the early stages of the season, as they aim to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League.
Overall, Udinese’s remarkable comeback against Parma and their unexpected rise to the top of Serie A have been the standout stories of the round. As the league progresses, it will be fascinating to see whether Udinese can continue to defy expectations and challenge for European qualification, or if they will eventually settle back into mid-table. Regardless, their current form is a reminder that football is often unpredictable, and surprises can emerge at any moment, even from the most unlikely of teams.
