Udinese beat Padova 1-0 as Okoye returns in Coppa Italia

Maduka Okoye returned from injury with a clean sheet as Udinese defeated Padova 1-0 in the Coppa Italia on Saturday night. The result sent Udinese through to the next round and gave coach Kosta Runjaić an encouraging first impression of the goalkeeper’s comeback.

The Nigeria international was restored to the starting line-up for the match at the Bluenergy Stadium after missing Udinese’s recent fixtures because of injury. He completed the game without conceding and produced the performance Runjaić wanted from his returning goalkeeper.

Runjaić praised Okoye’s contribution but played down the importance of the result, stressing that Udinese must now focus on their meeting with Como. The coach’s assessment combined approval of the clean sheet with a warning against allowing the cup victory to distract from the next challenge.

Okoye’s return comes after a disrupted start to his previous Serie A campaign. He missed the opening six league matches while serving a suspension connected to a sports betting case, before reclaiming his place in the Udinese side.

The 26-year-old finished the 2025/26 season with 30 Serie A appearances. He recorded 10 clean sheets and conceded 32 goals as Udinese ended the league campaign in 10th position.

His performance against Padova gives Okoye a positive starting point as he looks to establish himself again as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2026/27 campaign. For the club, the 1-0 victory secured progress in the Coppa Italia while providing a clean sheet on the goalkeeper’s return.