Udinese’s Season In Review – Defying the odds… Kinda

Date: 21st May 2014 at 1:49am
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After nearly half a decade of dumb-luck success, The Little Zebras just couldn’t seem to do it again this year.

For the past handful of seasons, Udinese defied odds (and bookie bets) to finishing in a European spot on the table, mostly due to a second-half-of-the-season-push that previously had the Zebrette collecting points in nearly every matchup of the new year.

Alas, it would not happen again this year for the Friulano folly, with the club barely breaking their targeted 40 point plateau—an arbitrary number that owner Giampaolo Pozzo strives to finish with at the end of every season, to confirm that his team isn’t that terrible (even if they are).

The Zebrette finished—and played—the season with the mediocrity and lacklusterness that has plagued them all season. They were not really bad per say, but they were also not really very good.

Player of the Season

Since selling Samir Handanovic to Inter in 2012, Udinese has not had another breakout superstar until Simone Scuffet (pronounced: See-moan Scoooooo-fey) took to the pitch in February 2014.

The Friulano-born goal keeper has become one of the fastest rising stars to be produced by Udinese, in Udine, having caught the attention of Cesare Prandelli and receiving a call up to train with the National Team earlier this year.

Despite the fact Scuffet has only been an active Serie A player for four months.

Scuffet made his inauguration appearance when then-starting goal keeper Zeljko Brkic injured himself during warm-up prior to a game away at Bologna. Scufett, who is only 17 years old, made an impressive debut, keeping a clean sheet against the home team.

More impressively, Scuffet continued his clean sheet the following week, which saw a 3-0 win for the Zebrette over Chievo.

Though only a two game streak, it was the longest clean sheet record Udinese had all season, until Scuffet tied his own record again in March with a clean sheet against Sassuolo and Inter, when he squared off against his predecessor Handanovic.

The teen will most likely stay in his hometown of Udine next season—despite rumoured interests from bigger clubs like Juventus—where he will continue as part of Udinese’s starting eleven.

…until Udinese make a European spot next season, when he will be promptly sold to Juvetus and replaced by a cut out made of cardboard that Pozzo constructed himself in his basement. Y’know, to save money.

Goal of the Season

The Goal of the Season happened on Saturday May 17th, at the Stadio Friuli, in the 88th minute; chosen for purely sentimental reasons.  This particular  goal was a long time coming and the last goal to be scored by Captain Antonio Di Natale before his (supposed) retirement.

The game ended in a 3-3 draw against Sampdoria, with Di Natale scoring the hattrick, playing all 90 minutes for his (supposed) last match at the Stadio Friuli for Udinese. He celebrated his (supposed) last match with him family and exited the stadium for the (supposed) last time to a standing ovation and cheers of “mandi Toto!” from his Friulano Faithful.

Di Natale has been (supposed) rumoured to be offered a technical position at Udinese, but it is more likely that he may try his hand at coaching, now that his first love Empoli is (most likely going to be) promoted into Serie A for the 2014/2015 season.

However, it is more likely that he will be back on the pitch next year, as a player, after he “reconsiders” his retirement. Especially since the Udinese Shop is already selling next year’s kits with Di Natale’s name and number on the back.

Best and Worst Signings

Udinese made signings this year? Just kidding, Nicolas Lopez has been pretty decent when he gets the chance to play. The 20 year old Uruguayan has had a handful of goals for the Zebrette and sometimes, if you squint, can almost be mistaken for the ghost of Alexis Sanchez, with his speed, accuracy, and boyish colourful chances.

If Matej Vydra plays for Udinese next year (he was on loan to West Bromwich Albion this past season), the pairing of these two may be spectacular.

Maybe.

Jadson Alves dos Santos, Better known as Jadson, the defensive midfielder was originally boasted as being Udinese’s next big thing for this year, and really, he’s not done a whole lot. Maybe “worst” player is a bit harsh for the 20 year old Brazilian, but he has been the most “meh.”

However, the true worse signing of the year has been the sponsorship between Udinese and HS Football, the new kit manufacture for the team.

Who?!” you may ask. Good luck finding out, they’re website is currently not working and the company does not seem to reply to emails.

Udinese finished in 13th place with 44 points, no titles, no European sports, and no bragging rights. Boy, was this 2013/2014 Season Preview way off.

 

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