Maduka Okoye Reacts to Udinese’s Heartbreaking 3-3 Draw with Lazio in Serie A

Udinese’s Serie A campaign suffered a frustrating setback on Monday, 28 April 2026, as a stoppage-time strike from Daniel Maldini denied them all three points in a pulsating 3-3 draw against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

The visitors had given themselves every reason to celebrate after scoring in the third minute of added time, only for Maldini to equalise just two minutes later and condemn Udinese to a share of the spoils. The rollercoaster contest had begun with Nigeria international Kingsley Ehizibue opening the scoring for Udinese in the 18th minute, netting from a tight angle to give the away side an early advantage.

Lazio responded after the interval, with Luca Pellegrini restoring parity five minutes into the second half before the match swung back and forth in dramatic fashion deep into stoppage time.

Speaking to Udinese’s official website following the final whistle, Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye described the mood in the dressing room as one of deep disappointment, while acknowledging the broader perspective the result might take on in the days ahead.

“Right now, the feeling is more of two points dropped, but tomorrow we’ll realise we’ve earned an important point away to Lazio, which isn’t easy. We’re disappointed now, but we have to move forward,” Okoye said.

The 25-year-old shot-stopper, who has been a key figure for Udinese in Serie A this season, also reflected on the unpredictable nature of the encounter and the particular sting of conceding so late in the contest.

“This is football; we were both behind and ahead, and it’s a shame about the goal conceded at the end. It was a good match for the spectators. In the coming days, we’ll see where we need to improve,” he added.

Okoye’s comments capture the fine margins that define mid-table Serie A competition. A victory at the Stadio Olimpico against a club of Lazio’s stature would have represented a significant result for Udinese, and the manner in which the points slipped away — with the winning goal appearing secured before Maldini’s intervention — will make the draw feel closer to a defeat in the immediate aftermath.

The Nigerian international has been a consistent performer between the posts for Udinese since his permanent move to the club, having initially joined on loan from Watford. His performances have helped cement his status as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, and he remains a central figure in both the Super Eagles setup and Udinese’s Serie A plans.

Udinese will now turn their attention to the remaining fixtures of the 2025-26 Serie A season, with their focus shifting to securing a comfortable mid-table finish and identifying the areas Okoye referenced where the squad must improve. Lazio, meanwhile, will take heart from their resilience in salvaging a point from a contest in which they trailed late into stoppage time.