As the 2024-25 Serie A season draws to a close, Juventus find themselves in a precarious yet promising position, clinging to fourth place as they prepare for their final home match against Udinese on Sunday. The stakes could hardly be higher for the Turin giants, who are locked in a fierce battle for Champions League qualification, with just two games left to secure their place among Europe’s elite. Meanwhile, Udinese arrive at the Allianz Stadium with little left to play for, their mid-table status already confirmed after a season that saw them comfortably avoid the relegation scrap that haunted them the previous year.
The race for fourth place in Serie A remains one of the most tightly contested in recent memory, with four teams separated by just two points heading into the penultimate matchday. Juventus currently hold the advantage, sitting in fourth with 64 points, level with Lazio but ahead on head-to-head record. Just behind them, Roma lurk in sixth with 63 points, while Coppa Italia winners Bologna remain in contention with 62. Every result at this stage carries immense weight, and Juventus know that any slip-up could prove costly in their pursuit of a return to the Champions League after a turbulent few seasons.
Their most recent outing against Lazio perfectly encapsulated the highs and lows of their campaign. A hard-fought match at the Stadio Olimpico saw Randal Kolo Muani break the deadlock, putting Juventus on course for a crucial victory. However, the game took a dramatic turn when defender Pierre Kalulu was shown a red card, reducing the Bianconeri to ten men. Lazio capitalized on their numerical advantage deep into stoppage time, snatching a late equalizer that left Juventus frustrated and their Champions League fate hanging in the balance. This result was emblematic of Juventus’ season—a campaign marked by resilience but also by missed opportunities. Their 16 draws in the league are just one short of the club’s all-time record, set nearly seven decades ago in the 1955-56 season.
Despite these frustrations, Juventus have shown significant improvement in recent months, particularly at home. After a shaky start to the season that saw them draw seven of their first nine matches in Turin, they have since turned the Allianz Stadium into a fortress, winning seven of their last eight Serie A fixtures on home soil. Interim manager Igor Tudor has played a key role in this resurgence, enjoying a flawless record in charge at home since taking over. Should Juventus defeat Udinese, Tudor would join an exclusive club of Bianconeri managers—alongside Max Allegri (2014) and Maurizio Sarri (2019)—who won their first four home games in charge over the past half-century.
History certainly favors Juventus in this fixture. Over the last 15 league meetings between these two sides, Juventus have emerged victorious in 12, scoring an average of 2.3 goals per game. Even more telling is Udinese’s recent struggles in this matchup—they have managed just one goal in their last six encounters with Juventus, suffering five defeats in that span. The most recent clash between the two ended in a 2-0 win for Juventus in Udine back in November, though Udinese did pull off a surprise 1-0 victory in their last visit to the Allianz Stadium in February 2024.
For Udinese, this match represents little more than a chance to end the season on a positive note. Under the guidance of manager Kosta Runjaic, they have enjoyed a far more stable campaign compared to last year’s nerve-wracking final-day escape from relegation. With safety secured weeks ago, Udinese have played with a sense of freedom, though their recent form has been inconsistent. Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Monza—a side already doomed to Serie B—was a disappointing result, particularly as it came despite top scorer Lorenzo Lucca finally ending his lengthy goal drought. The late winner conceded in the 90th minute effectively dashed any lingering hopes of a top-half finish, with Como now four points ahead in tenth place with only two matches remaining.
Interestingly, Udinese have developed a habit of finishing their away campaigns strongly, winning their final road game in five of the last seven seasons. Additionally, they have scored in each of their last 24 away matches—a streak that underscores their attacking consistency, even in games where the stakes are relatively low. They will be eager to maintain that record before concluding their season at home against Fiorentina next weekend.
For Juventus, however, this match is about far more than just ending the home campaign on a high note. It represents a critical step in their quest to return to the Champions League, a competition that has defined their modern identity. With so much at stake, the pressure will be immense, but the Bianconeri have shown they can rise to the occasion when it matters most. A win against Udinese would not only strengthen their grip on fourth place but also send a message to their rivals that they remain a force to be reckoned with in Italian football.
As the final whistle blows on Sunday, the implications could be enormous. Will Juventus take a decisive step toward securing Champions League football? Or will Udinese once again play the role of spoilers, as they did last season? The answers will unfold in what promises to be a gripping encounter at the Allianz Stadium.
