Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye described his side’s 1-1 draw with Como as an important point after a hard-fought Serie A encounter at the Bluenergy Stadium on Saturday. The Nigerian international was satisfied with the outcome despite the Zebras surrendering a first-half lead against Cesc Fabregas’ well-organised visitors.
Hassane Kamara put Udinese ahead just before the half-hour mark, converting a precise assist from Jurgen Ekkelenkamp to reward the home side’s early intensity. However, Como responded decisively after the interval, with Anastasios Douvikas levelling the scores nine minutes into the second half to silence the home crowd.
Speaking to the club’s official channels after the final whistle, Okoye emphasized the value of the result against a formidable opponent. “It’s an important point. We played against a strong team and we’re happy. We went out there to win, but in the end, a point is great,” he said. “I’m happy to help the team with my saves, but the team played a great game today. We’re all happy.”
The goalkeeper’s contributions between the posts proved crucial in preserving the share of the spoils, as he produced several key interventions to deny Como a potential winner. His assessment reflected a collective mindset focused on resilience rather than disappointment, acknowledging the quality of a Como side that has impressed since its return to the top flight.
The draw extends Udinese’s unbeaten run and keeps them firmly in mid-table contention, while Como continues to demonstrate its competitive credentials under Fabregas. Both teams will now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, with Udinese seeking to convert draws into victories and Como aiming to build on a credible away performance.
For Okoye, the match reinforced his growing influence in a Udinese defence that has relied on his shot-stopping ability throughout the campaign. As the season progresses, moments like these — where individual brilliance complements team spirit — could prove decisive in the race for European places or survival.
