New boss Andrea Stramaccioni has brought a fresh approach to the Friuli, who you could argue were suffering a bout of stagnation last season under long-term coach Francesco Guidolin — who is curiously still at the club in a technical supervisor role.
While Di Natale is still plundering the goals, Udinese have built their success so far this campaign on their industrious midfield. The Brazilian combination of Allan and Guilherme in the center of the park has been paramount to Udinese’s superb early season form.
The two share many characteristics in common. They’re both 23 years old, they’re both Brazilian, and they both share the same tenacity and determination.
While his performances last season were respectable, he looks to have stepped it up a level this term, establishing himself as one of the league’s best defensive midfielders. Cash-rich Russian giants Zenit Saint Petersburg and Spartak Moscow came in for the tough-tackling midfielder this past summer, but Udinese were able to ward them off, something they may not be able to do next summer when Europe’s elite comes calling.
Guilherme plays the role of Allan’s fledgling sidekick, having only joined the club this summer from Corinthians for a reported €4.5 million. Alongside Allan, he plays at the base of the midfield, very adept at recovering the ball from the opposition and shifting it quickly in transition, leading to effective counter attack opportunities for his team. He is also noted for his laser-like long distance shooting, a weapon we have yet to see this season. Although less experienced than his international colleague, Guilherme is showing no signs of struggling to acclimatize to Serie A, and installing himself as one of Stramaccioni’s first names on the team sheet this season.
Udinese are noted for their superb world-wide scouting network that ensures they are constantly signing rough diamonds, and selling them for huge profits. Alexis Sanchez, Kwadwo Asamoah, Gokhan Inler and Mehdi Benatia are some of the names that have started out at the Zebrette, and then gone on to bigger and better things. If they can maintain their excellent early season performances, Allan and Guilherme look to be following the same trajectory as these global stars.
Follow Marco Credentino on Twitter at: @bigcreds