Udinese Club Focus: By the numbers

Last weekend, Udinese drew Genoa 3–3 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. On the surface, a 3 – 3 draw seems like it could have been a captivating and cutthroat game. However, because it was Udinese playing, it was not.

Rather than being captivating and cutthroat, it was dismal and heartbreaking—not to mention infuriating and frustrating—for the Zebrette and their fans.

Especially because the game started off promising; at one point, Udinese had a 3 – 1 lead over the Rossoblu. Goals came at the 35^th and 40^th minute mark by Dusan Basta and Bruno, respectively, with Moussa Konate getting Genoa onto the board just before the halftime whistle.

The second half also started off in the Little Zebra’s favour, Luis Muriel scored on a penalty, bringing the Zebrette to a hopeful 3 – 1 lead. However, things soon started to fall apart, with Genoa scoring twice before the fulltime whistle, both goals from Alberto Gilardino.

Thus making the final score 3 – 3; Udinese had blown a two goal lead and a three point game.

Those numbers are pretty hard to swallow, especially for the faithful Furlan. However, what’s even harder to swallow, are the numbers that have appeared—or rather, have not appeared—all season.

With the above in mind, let us look at the numbers that have been making—or rather, breaking—Udinese this season, especially compared to the last four years, when the Zebrette last finished mid-table in Serie A and then rose to European-qualifying ranks.

Team by the Numbers

Realistically, Udinese should be able to aim to finish fifth on the table at the beginning of every season; it is a position that they are able to achieve, as they have done so in the past. Since 2009/2010, their best position has been finishing third (qualifying for a Champions League spot in 2011/2012) and worse, finishing 15^th in 2009/2010.

Unfortunately, more than mid-way through this season, a fifth-place-expectation is looking pretty slim for the Zebrette.

On average, the fifth place team ends the season with 64.5 points. Having already played 24 games in the 38-game Serie A season, Udinese is well over the halfway mark with only 27 points.

Therefore, with only 14 games left, if Udinese wins every game, they would be able to finish with 69 points; above average from their last four years.

However, that’s a big “if.”

Realistically, Udinese should aim for a 9–4 –1 record to finish the season, something that is not totally unachievable and will have them finishing with 58 points at the end.

Comparatively, 58 points is not great, and at least a game and a half below average, but at least it is a reasonable goal for Udinese. Plus it is well over the 40 point plateau that Udinese has constantly set as a “successful season” marker. To clear that the plateau, Udinese would need to win at least three games, or draw every game for the rest of the season.

Basically, if Udinese want to save the rest of the season, they need to go on a winning streak as soon as possible.

Unfortunately though, it’s just not in lacking in points that Zebrette need to worry about, other areas where the team is failing include:

• Currently, not a single Udinese player is in the running for Top Number of Assists.
• Antonio Di Natale is currently ranked 18^th for Top Number of Goals, a far cry from his normal top-of-the-table ranking of previous seasons. He has seven goals, compared to the current leader, Fiorentina’s Giusseppi Rossi, with 14 goals (or, double Di Natale)
• It will be a very tight race to place second to sixth on the table for other clubs, meaning that there will be no rest for wicked until the very last game played.

There is good news though: coincidentally, there is one place Udinese currently sits in fifth position. On the “FIFA Fair Play” table, having only earned 52 yellow cards and two red cards this season so far.

Toto by the Numbers

While it is not fair for the team to solely rely on one player, the change in Captain Di Natale has also been noticeable this season. And fair or not, the captain has not been living up to his legacy in his final year as a Little Zebra.

Some quick numbers on Toto:

• Goal average per season: 25.75
• Goal average per game: 0.67
• Goal average per game, this season so far: 0.29

When getting into goal averages, the difference may not seem so large, but consider Di Natale’s goals-per-season stats over recent years:

• 09/10: 29
• 10/11: 28
• 11/12: 23
• 12/13: 23
• 13/14: 7 (so far)

Therefore, to get back to his previous top form, Di Natale would need to score an average of 1.5 goals per game for the rest of the season, or 19 goals total.

This will be challenging to say the least, especially considering how he only came in for the 88^th minute during Udinese’s last match against Genoa. If Udinese want to start earning more points per game, their top goal scorer needs to start getting more goals per game.

Immediately.

Trivia by the Numbers

However, not all numbers can be depressing. Here are some interest facts—of course all involving numerations—about Udinese:

• Udinese was formed in 1896
• They made their Serie A debut (under its current title) in 1950
• The Little Zebras have played 41 seasons, total, in Serie A
• The club currently has 37 players out on loan, which does not include the 7 players they have co-ownership with 7 other clubs.
• They have played in Serie A, consecutively, for almost  20 years
• The Zebrette is the number 1 equidae-based club in Serie A…
• …Despite the fact they have 0 trophies to their name

But, for right now, let us forget all other numbers and only focus on one: 23/02/2014, when Udinese faces Atalanta at the Stadio Friuli and Di Natale must score at least two goals to help secure an Udinese win.

And, if that doesn’t happen, disregard this entire article and look forward to next week’s entitled, “Udinese: Serie B’s Newest Stars.”

All stats used in this article are based on the 2009/2010 season up until the 2013/2014 season—as of February 19, 2014. Additionally, all math used in this article is [probably] correct; there is no need/reason to challenge any of the facts or figures.