Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Udinese fought back from 2-0 down with two goals in the final six minutes — Piotrowski's bicycle kick and Vinciati's strike — to draw 2-2 with Istra 1961 in their first pre-season friendly.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Istra 1961 took a seventh-minute lead when Matija Kablar powered a header home from a corner. The Croatian side — who start their league season in under two weeks — doubled their advantage in the 71st minute through Hamza Jaganjac, who met a cross with a crisp volley before Udinese goalkeeper Daniele Padelli could close him down.
Udinese, who had changed their entire outfield XI at half-time, found a lifeline in the 84th minute. Kacper Piotrowski produced a bicycle kick from inside the area to pull one back. Two minutes later, in the 86th, Riccardo Vinciati collected a flick-on from Moussa Gueye and fired a powerful shot under the crossbar to complete the comeback.
The Turning Point
Kosta Runjaic's wholesale half-time substitution — all 10 outfield players replaced — disrupted Udinese's rhythm initially, but it also injected fresh legs that eventually overwhelmed Istra. The introduction of Piotrowski (who replaced Miller) and Vinciati (who came on for Pafundi in the 73rd minute) proved decisive. Udinese had controlled the second half territorially before Istra's sucker-punch, and the equaliser was a reward for sustained pressure.
Key Performers
Kacper Piotrowski (Udinese) — The Polish midfielder scored a spectacular bicycle kick that sparked the fightback. His energy after coming on at half-time changed the game's momentum.
Riccardo Vinciati (Udinese) — The substitute made the decisive intervention, scoring the equaliser with a powerful finish just two minutes after Piotrowski's goal.
Hamza Jaganjac (Istra 1961) — The striker was a constant threat, scoring one and creating problems for the Udinese defence throughout. His 71st-minute volley looked to have sealed the win.
Matija Kablar (Istra 1961) — Opened the scoring with a well-taken header from a corner and anchored the midfield for the visitors.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
The match was a typical pre-season friendly in structure: Udinese made 10 outfield substitutions at half-time plus additional changes, meaning the two XIs that played each half were almost entirely different. The 2-2 scoreline slightly flattered Udinese's second-half dominance in terms of territory and chances created, but Istra were clinical in the first half. No cards were issued, reflecting the friendly nature of the contest. Udinese hit the post through Zarraga in the first half and had several other efforts saved by Kolic.
What It Means
This was Udinese's first pre-season friendly of the summer. They travel to Lienz, Austria on 22 July for a training camp that will include further friendlies as they prepare for the 2026/27 Serie A campaign. Istra 1961, who beat MK Dons 2-1 the day before this match, will begin their Croatian First League season within the next fortnight.
Verdict
A pre-season friendly defined by two very different halves: Udinese's first XI lacked sharpness and fell behind, while the second-string side showed character and resilience to rescue a draw. The Piotrowski and Vinciati cameos will give Runjaic selection food for thought ahead of the Austria camp.
Rivalry since 2024
Udinese vs Istra 1961 Head to Head Results· 1
Udinese and Istra 1961 have met 1 times — Udinese won 1, Istra 1961 won 0, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2024. Udinese leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 1 meeting. A combined 5 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.00 per match (4 for the home side, 1 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 match (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 4–1 in 2024.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 21 Jul 2026