If you want to have a successful season, most serious coaches will agree that having a great goalkeeper is probably second only to having a great goal scorer. Udinese certainly had the latter but now they also have without any shadow of doubt, the former, as they currently lead Serie A alongside Italian heavyweights, Juventus.
There are no secrets when it comes to the ability of Antonio Di Natale, but now, after the emergence of Samir Handanovic last season, his shockingly impressive start to this season has proved that last year was not a one-off. Undoubtedly he is currently the best goalie in the division, which is a most impressive proclamation when considering he plays in the same country as Gianluigi Buffon, Julio Cesar, Sebastien Frey and Maarten Stekelenburg.
Handanovic has conceded a solitary goal in the league. He has been outstanding in every competitive match he has played and his saves have been as integral as Di Natale’s goals to the Zebrette’s majestic start to the season. The shot stopper, class of 1984, is now one of Europe’s hottest properties.
Having arrived at the stadio Friuli in 2004 for a paltry 40,000 Euros, Samir has only had one previous employer, the Slovenian club Domzale. Short spells on loan to Treviso and Lazio were not very fruitful but the 2006 season with Rimini, helped launch his career as a potential top flight keeper. He returned to Udine for 2007/08 campaign and has been a permanent fixture in the team ever since.
Last season he was outstanding as the Bianconeri finished a brilliant fourth in the league, but this season has seen him surpass even the staunchest Udinese fan’s expectations. Just to underline his current rise to prominence, Handanovic held the record for the longest time unbeaten in Serie A for the 2010/11 season, 704 minutes, a run of seven games without conceding a goal. And, in case anyone still needed convincing, he also holds the record for most penalty saves throughout a season, six.
The Slovenian is also now an important character in the Francesco Guidolin dressing room. As one of the more experienced players, in amongst so many youngsters, his calming influence and friendly demeanour have helped to relax the influx of new talent that has recently arrived. The security of one of the best goalkeepers in world football would reduce the tension in even the most exciteable of young football player.
A veteran of over 50 international appearances for his country, whether he remains at Udinese next season is becoming less and less clear. However, the seemingly psychic management team at the club, who seem to unearth rough diamond after rough diamond, must have seen this meteoric rise in their crystal ball. In August of this year, they offered their keeper a new contract which he duly signed, keeping him at the club until 2016. Anyone wanting to tempt him away from the Friulani will certainly have to pay handsomely to do so.
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