Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye says penalty saving is a key area he needs to improve after his side’s Serie A defeat to AS Roma on Sunday, SportPremi reports.
The White and Blacks were unable to build on their shock 1-0 win over Atalanta last weekend, as they were beaten 2-0 by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
It also marked their second successive defeat on the road in the league this season as they remained in 10th place on the Serie A standings with 15 points, four points off an European spot.
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Roma moved up to second on the standings, equal on points with first-placed Inter Milan, with only goal difference separating both sides.
How Roma defeated Udinese
Roma knew that a victory would temporarily move them up to the top of the standings ahead of Inter Milan’s match later and they started very brightly, missing a couple of early chances.
Manu Kone was denied by Maduka Okoye, while Zeki Celik and Matias Soule both wasted goalscoring opportunities.
The dominance continued in the first half when Bryan Cristante struck the goalpost with a rasping drive and Udinese were also denied by Mile Svilar in the Roma goal.
The Video Assistant Referee then awarded a penalty kick to the home side in the closing stages of the first half and Lorenzo Pellegrini confidently converted, sending Okoye the wrong way.
Zeki Celik, who had been a menace throughout the clash, added a second goal for Giallorossi in the second half with a brilliant effort after a quick exchange of passes with Gianluca Mancini.
The visitors threatened to half the deficit, but Svilar was in inspired form and prevented them from scoring.
Okoye eyes improvement on penalty saving
Speaking after the match, Maduka Okoye highlighted penalty saving as a major area he would want to improve his ability.
“I’m very proud of the team. We played a good match at the Olimpico, and it’s not easy against Roma, who are very strong. I’m happy. We didn’t get any points, but the performance was good”, Okoye admitted.
“It’s always 50-50 on penalties. I want to save one this year; I haven’t done so yet, but the time will come. It’s a shame it wasn’t today; now we have to look ahead.”
The 26-year-old earned a call-up to Nigeria’s squad for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and a potential clash against Cameroon and DR Congo after his return from a betting suspension.
He will be expected to provide competition for Stanley Nwabali as the Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper in the coming games, especially with his improved form for Udinese.
