Alessandro Matri's brace was enough to earn Juventus a slender 2-1 as first faced third in a top of the table clash.

Mirko Vucinic was the only real injury doubt for Juve while Simone Pepe and Claudio Marchisio were only fit enough for the bench meaning Emanuele Giaccherini and Fabio Quagliarella started in a 3-5-2 formation. Udinese were without Diego Fabbrini, Andrea Coda, Paulo Barreto and Giampiero Pinzi while Mehdi Benatia, Kwadwo Asamoah and Emmanuel Badu were at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It was a special occasion in more ways than one as Gigi Buffon celebrated his birthday and Marcelo Estigarribia almost gave the veteran keeper a perfect gift after just 2 minutes, but Samir Handanovic was quickly off his line to block the Paraguayan's effort with his legs.

Almen Abdi went close for I Zebrette but Buffon was on hand to tip his effort over the bar. Armero attempted a volleyed shot from the resulting corner but 'Superman' was on hand again to push his effort around the post.

Juventus broke the deadlock just before the end of the first half. Samir Handanovic performed a fine save on Quagliarella's headed effort, following Marcelo Estigarribia's perfect cross, but the keeper could do nothing to stop Matri following up to tap-in.

Antonio Floro Flores replaced Abdi at the start of the second half and the substitute wasted no time in pulling one back for the Bianconeri. Isla was quick to intercept Andrea Barzagli's midfield pass and spread the ball wide to Flores who passed the ball around Buffon into the bottom corner.

Matri was on hand to restore Juve's advantage just moments later. Substitute Claudio Marchisio flicked the ball on for the striker who turned past Damiano Ferronetti before blasting his effort past Handanovic.

Juventus: Buffon; Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (De Ceglie 82), Vidal, Pirlo, Giaccherini, Estigarribia (Pepe 64); Matri, Quagliarella (Marchisio 61)

Udinese: Handanovic; Ferronetti, Danilo, Domizzi (Battocchio 73); Basta, Isla (Pereyra 85), Fernandes, Armero, Pasquale; Abdi (Floro Flores 46), Di Natale

Ref: Valeri