As Serie A ushered in the New Year with this weekend’s round of matches, Udinese fans could easily be fooled in believing it was still 2011. They begin the year with another impressive victory, 4-1 at home to Cesena, and keep pace with AC Milan and Juventus. As per last year, Antonio Di Natale starred once again, hitting a brace and inspiring his team, as a potential miracle remains firmly on the horizon.
The league game was not the only match Francesco Guidolin’s men have played this week. Their defeat to Chievo in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday has blotted an otherwise highly impressive first half of the season. The coach decided to rest some of the automatic starters by showing faith in the fringe players, a move that did not quite pay off as he had hoped.
The club’s genuine disappointment in being eliminated was highlighted by owner Giampaolo Pozzo. “We feel like we have been robbed,” he explained, describing the Flying Donkeys injury time winner. “We used players that don’t always get a game, and these are the perfect opportunities to pick them. To lose in stoppage time after having drawn level leaves a very bitter taste.”
Despite this setback, the club has no time to dwell on this unexpected defeat. They travel to an out of sorts Genoa, also looking to bounce back from a recent loss, with new signing Alberto Gilardino keen to get himself on the score sheet for his new club. The Zebrette themselves have been active in the January transfer market, with three player purchases, one of which was accurately predicted by Club Focus.
Once with Manchester City, Gelson Fernandes has arrived after having terminated his loan deal with Championship club Leicester City, to strengthen the Zebrette midfield. The Swiss international will add experience and has knowledge of the Italian league, having been with Chievo throughout last season.
Alongside the former Foxes player, Udinese have bolstered their defensive line with French left back Jean-Alain Fanchone and the right sided wing-back, Bryan Carrasco. Both players are relatively young which would suggest that Guidolin will still be looking to add to his current squad. Juve’s Michele Pazienza and Bologna’s Gabriel Mudingayi are two names filling the speculative column inches, as agents undoubtedly manoeuvre their clients into potential transfer targets for the Friulani. As we have mentioned in previous Club Focuses, the Bianconeri have been hit hard by the loss of players to the African Cup of Nations, and the absentees will need to be covered.
The only real doubt for the match against the Grifoni is Mauricio Isla. A vital part of the Udinese team, the Chilean collected a knock against Cesena which forced him to miss the midweek cup tie. He has begun training again, if only partially, and the club do expect him to be fit for the weekend. The rest of the squad is fully at the coach’s disposal other than Paulo Barreto, as fitness issues continue to plague the former Bari front man.
The trip to Marassi will remind many fans of the match in 1983, where Udinese destroyed their opponent 5-0. It was not the scoreline that will bring a smile to supporters, more importantly it was the debut game for Brazilian legend, Zico. The star of the greatest Selecao team to never win the World Cup was decisive that day, scoring two goals and illuminating the team with his typical samba style.
The club doesn’t employ anyone quite so high profile these days, however a five goal winning margin is certainly not beyond one of the in form sides of Serie A this season. New Genoa coach Pasquale Marino will be desperate that current talismanic striker, Toto Di Natale, will not be hoping to emulate his illustrious predecessor.
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