The 0-0 draw ends Udinese's six-game league losing streak, with the Nigeria international's penalty save the decisive moment.
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye saved a penalty from Adrian Bernabé in the 69th minute as the Zebras drew 0-0 at Parma on Wednesday night. The point ended a run of six consecutive league defeats for Udinese, and the Nigeria international was named Man of the Match.
Okoye first made a costly error. He fumbled a corner, and the ball struck James Abankwah's arm, leading to the penalty. Okoye recovered quickly with the stop at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Udinese, coached by Kosta Runjaic, created the better chances and had several openings to win all three points. Okoye told the club's official website: "We always want to win and we need points. Today we got one, and that's fine." He added: "Now we're immediately focusing on the next one." Of the save itself, he said it was "pure instinct."
Udinese forward Nicolò Zaniolo praised his goalkeeper and told the club's official website that it was not the first time Okoye had kept them in a game. Zaniolo said of him:
"I love him; he's a good person and a fantastic goalkeeper."
Zaniolo said that thanks to Okoye the team had broken its losing streak and taken a point away from home that moves them up the table.
With that shutout, Okoye recorded his first Serie A clean sheet of the campaign. Before the match he had conceded 18 goals in nine games, and he had not managed a clean sheet in any of his previous eight appearances.
Zaniolo also explained the start to the season. "We've gotten off to a poor start to the season, partly due to injuries and partly due to a few too many mistakes, but we have a long road ahead, and with a full squad, we can have a great season," he said.
Zaniolo said the focus now is Roma.
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