Udinese Calcio

[San Paolo]

Udinese have sacked coach Pasquale Marino, and have announced the appointment of former Torino coach Gianni De Biasi.

A statement on the club's official website Udinese.it reads:

"Udinese Calcio S.p.A communicates to have have relieved first team coach Pasquale Marino from his duties. The club would like to thank Marino for the work he has done ofver the last two and a half years.

"Udinese would also like to communicate to have given the role of first team coach to Gianni De Biasi who will be unveiled at the Stadio Fruili later today."

The appointment comes following a meeting between president Giampaolo Pozzo and De Biasi at his private residence this morning. The sacking has been in the pipeline following a poor run from the Zebrette.

On Saturday Pozzo had warned Marino that he "would be taking action" if the team's results didn't improve. Marino responded to his boss claiming "Pozzo didn't know the reality of the situation".

Sky Sport Italia claims this incident, as well as a strained relationship led to the coach being sacked.

De Biasi will be tasked with reviving fortunes at the club following a slide down the table. Marino is the tenth sacking in Italy this term.

[Messinterista]

Juve seal Candreva deal - Midfielder signs on

Juventus have finalised a deal for Italy international Antonio Candreva.

The 22-year-old midfielder has arrived on loan from Udinese with a view to Juventus buying half of the player's rights in the summer.

Candreva has spent the last 18-months on loan at Livorno and he was due to finish the season with the Tuscan club, but he has now moved to Juve.

Livorno have been compensated for the loan being ended early, with Candreva delighted to have sealed the move to Turin.

"It is a dream come true and I cannot wait to start this new adventure," Candreva told Sky Sport Italia.

"I can say that 2010 has certainly got off to a brilliant start for me. I feel positive and I hope to win over the coach and club to prove I am a player worthy of Juve."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 67,00.html

[Messinterista]

can we sticky this thread as the "Official Udinese Calcio Thread" ?

[juventino_italiano]

Highlights: Udinese 3-1 Napoli

http://football-italia.net/video/0910-udi-nap.html

[Messinterista]

Moroccan Mehdi Benatia signs five-year contract with Udinese

Moroccan international player El Mehdi Benatia El Moutaqui, central defender of the Second Division French Football club of Clermont, signed a five-year contract with the Italian club Udinese, which runs until 2014.

Tracked by several clubs, the 22-year-old defender (1.88 m and 88kg) picked Udinese as his next stop, but he will first finish the season with Clermont before joining the Calcio next summer.

"I seized the opportunity. It is a good club despite their current standing in the Calcio (currently 15th in Serie A), but they have good players such as the best striker in the Calcio Antonio Di Natale," Benatia told the press.

"I signed five years which leaves me time to adapt with the club and work hard to impose myself. Udinese is a good springboard for my career," he added.

Trained at Olympique de Marseille, Mehdi Benatia arrived at Clermont football club in June 2008 from Lorient. He was also lent to Tours.

Source: http://www.maroc-football.com/actualite ... le_id=5619

[juventino_italiano]

Badu ready to emulate heroes Thursday 11 February, 2010

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Emmanuel Badu is ready to follow in the footsteps of Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari after sealing his move to Udinese.

The Ghanaian midfielder, who won an Under-20 World Cup title in 2009, has been on international duty and took part in the Africa Cup of Nations Final against Egypt.

“I am honoured to be here and I thank God for this chance,â€

[Messinterista]

Milan 2-1 Udinese Half-Time
Huntelaar 6 (M), Pato 39 (M), Floro Flores 45 (U)

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Alexander Pato's first goal in three months have given Milan a 2-1 first half lead over Udinese.

This match was brought forward to Friday night so Milan could better prepare for Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Manchester United. Sir tender Alex Ferguson was spotted in the San Siro stands. The Rossoneri needed all the help they could get, as Scudetto hopes evaporated after the derby defeat with a point from three official games. That included Udinese's 1-0 victory here in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

Marco Borriello, Clarence Seedorf, Gianluca Zambrotta and Luca Antonini were sidelined, while Alessandro Nesta returned a after long lay-off. The Friulani were fresh from their first Serie A win under Gianni De Biasi, but missed Maurizio Domizzi, Damiano Ferronetti, Gaetano D'Agostino, Dusan Basta and Christian Obodo.

Last season Milan won this fixture 5-1 and in the opening 90 seconds Klaas-Jan Huntelaar pounced on a defensive error, but a crucial Mauricio Isla tackle stopped him pulling the trigger from six yards.

Huntelaar got his goal soon after from a corner. Ronaldinho took on two defenders near the byline and squeezed the cross in for Huntelaar's header at the near post, giving Milan the lead.

It was almost 1-1 moments later, as Isla's cross-shot flashed across the face of goal and Antonio Di Natale missed the sliding tap-in by a matter of inches.

Pato was meant to make his comeback in the second half, but Mancini had a thigh problem and limped off after 13 minutes, giving The Duck his first appearance in two months.

Cristian Zapata was booked for clattering into Gennaro Gattuso, but Nelson Dida needed two touches to finally smother Gokhan Inler's fierce snapshot. Pato did put the ball in the back of the net by waltzing round the goalkeeper, but he was flagged marginally offside.

Antonio Floro Flores just failed to get on the end of Di Natale's cross from six yards, then Pato's first touch let him down from Ronaldinho's through ball. Dida timed his intervention perfectly to pluck Isla's cross off the head of Floro Flores in the six-yard box. However, the goalkeeper's dismal kick gave the ball straight to Floro Flores, who failed to take advantage.

Udinese nearly scored an own goal when Zapata deflected Massimo Ambrosini's cross into the air from five yards.

Milan did score a second less than a minute later. Ronaldinho's first-time searching pass over the top released Pato one-on-one with the defender and he dribbled round Samir Handanovic to deposit into the empty net. It was his first goal since December 5.

However, there was also bad news, as Thiago Silva limped off with a muscular problem to make way for Daniele Bonera.

Andrea Pirlo's free kick was palmed off the line by Handanovic, but Udinese got back into it in first half stoppages. Di Natale's left-foot cross from the outside right edge of the box found Floro Flores' diving header from six yards. It was straight at Dida's palms, but still propelled him back into the goal.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/mil-udi.html

[juventino_italiano]

Report:

Udinese has a crappy defence....

[Messinterista]

lol, yep pretty much.

[Messinterista]

Milan 3-2 Udinese

Huntelaar 6, 57 (M), Pato 39 (M), Floro Flores 45 (U), Di Natale 86 (U)
Stadio Meazza

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's brace and Alexandre Pato gave Milan a nervous 3-2 victory over Udinese.

This match was brought forward to Friday night so Milan could better prepare for Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Manchester United. Sir tender Alex Ferguson was spotted in the San Siro stands. The Rossoneri needed all the help they could get, as Scudetto hopes evaporated after the derby defeat with a point from three official games. That included Udinese's 1-0 victory here in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

Marco Borriello, Clarence Seedorf, Gianluca Zambrotta and Luca Antonini were sidelined, while Alessandro Nesta returned a after long lay-off. The Friulani were fresh from their first Serie A win under Gianni De Biasi, but missed Maurizio Domizzi, Damiano Ferronetti, Gaetano D'Agostino, Dusan Basta and Christian Obodo.

Last season Milan won this fixture 5-1 and in the opening 90 seconds Klaas-Jan Huntelaar pounced on a defensive error, but a crucial Mauricio Isla tackle stopped him pulling the trigger from six yards.

Huntelaar got his goal soon after from a corner. Ronaldinho took on two defenders near the byline and squeezed the cross in for Huntelaar's header at the near post, giving Milan the lead.

It was almost 1-1 moments later, as Isla's cross-shot flashed across the face of goal and Antonio Di Natale missed the sliding tap-in by a matter of inches.

Pato was meant to make his comeback in the second half, but Mancini had a thigh problem and limped off after 13 minutes, giving The Duck his first appearance in two months.

Cristian Zapata was booked for clattering into Gennaro Gattuso, but Nelson Dida needed two touches to finally smother Gokhan Inler's fierce snapshot. Pato did put the ball in the back of the net by waltzing round the goalkeeper, but he was flagged marginally offside.

Antonio Floro Flores just failed to get on the end of Di Natale's cross from six yards, then Pato's first touch let him down from Ronaldinho's through ball. Dida timed his intervention perfectly to pluck Isla's cross off the head of Floro Flores in the six-yard box. However, the goalkeeper's dismal kick gave the ball straight to Floro Flores, who failed to take advantage.

Udinese nearly scored an own goal when Zapata deflected Massimo Ambrosini's cross into the air from five yards.

Milan did score a second less than a minute later. Ronaldinho's first-time searching pass over the top released Pato one-on-one with the defender and he dribbled round Samir Handanovic to deposit into the empty net. It was his first goal since December 5.

However, there was also bad news, as Thiago Silva limped off with a muscular problem to make way for Daniele Bonera.

Andrea Pirlo's free kick was palmed off the line by Handanovic, but Udinese got back into it in first half stoppages. Di Natale's left-foot cross from the outside right edge of the box found Floro Flores' diving header from six yards. It was straight at Dida's palms, but still propelled him back into the goal.

Milan restored their two-goal cushion after the break. Ronaldinho's free kick was knocked on by Ambrosini for Huntelaar, who turned on the six-yard line to fire under the bar. It is curious that the Dutchman has only scored in three games, including two braces.

Udinese did not give in and Dida smothered a Di Natale header, but Huntelaar almost completed his hat-trick. A Pirlo free kick found him totally unmarked to volley over.

Gattuso went close to a rare goal, as he was clear at the back post for a long Ronaldinho cross, but the midfielder hesitated and fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Ronaldinho played better than he had in several weeks and from the resulting corner his header was cleared off the line. The Brazilian made way for David Beckham to the applause of San Siro.

Di Natale pounced on a defensive error to go clear on goal, as Beckham's pass was too short for Nesta, but Bonera and Dida did enough to force him wide and cut off the angle.

Pato thought he had scored when an angled drive squirmed under Handanovic's body at the near post, but the goalkeeper recovered his position in time to push it off the line.

Moments later Udinese put the result back in doubt. Di Natale sprung the offside trap on a Simone Pepe pass and stroked it into the far corner with the inside of his right foot.

There were only four minutes of regular time left, but the referee upset Udinese by blowing the final whistle 10 seconds before the two minutes of stoppages were up.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/mil-udi.html

[Messinterista]

Genoa - Udinese

The Saturday early evening kick-off sees an enticing encounter between Genoa and Udinese, the latter of which have yet to win a League game on the road this season.

Genoa had been on a decent run of form until last week’s defeat at the hands of Juventus, with controversy surrounding Alessandro The Waterboy’s winning penalty. Although they are not hitting the lofty heights of the last campaign which saw them miss out on a Champions League spot on a head-to-head with Fiorentina, they are going along steadily and sit just four points off Sampdoria who occupy fourth place.

It has taken time for the team to get to grips with the loss of Diego Milito and Thiago Motta to Inter – when you lose a goal-machine like Milito, it is very difficult to ever fully readjust. Nonetheless, Rossoblu boss Gian Piero Gasperini is starting to get the best out of his current crop, despite being hampered with an extensive injury list.

Moroccan midfielder Houssine Kharja, who is sidelined until around March, leads the way regarding players sitting it out on the treatment table, while Ivan Juric, Bosko Jankovic and Omar Milanetto are all set to return next week.

The game is also expected to arrive a little too soon for Argentine Rodrigo Palacio and former Juventus man Raffaele Palladino, greatly limiting Gasperini’s attacking options.

Udinese have more pressing issues regarding the threat of relegation. Sitting just a point off Livorno in 18th, it has been a very poor season for the Zebrette so far with little going right for Coach Gianni De Biasi and his charges. Considering their horrific away form, it’s going to take a mammoth effort to get something at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The news this week detailing the extent of Gaetano D’Agostino’s knee injury will have come as a big blow to the Udinese faithful, with the talented playmaker sidelined until April at the earliest.

Nigerian midfielder Christian Obodo will also be missing for another month, while Maurizio Domizzi and Damiano Ferronetti are ruled out through injury. Chilean midfielder Mauricio Isla serves a one-match suspension.

Keep an eye on: Dario Dainellli (Genoa) – The loyal centre-back had been the rock at the heart of the Fiorentina defence until he was deemed surplus to requirements following the January signing of Felipe, ironically from Udinese. Although limited in his ability, the former Viola captain has a big heart and will want to prove that his previous employers made a mistake with a successful stint at Genoa.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/gen-udi.html

[juventino_italiano]

Serie A Week 26 - 28/2/10 (14.00 UK)
Udinese - Inter

Stadio Friuli

An Inter side decimated by bans following their over-the-top protests visit a resurgent Udinese. The tension may well be getting to the Nerazzurri, even if they managed to defeat Chelsea in the Champions League midweek.

Their reaction to the 0-0 draw with Sampdoria last Saturday was nothing short of hysterical, as Jose Mourinho’s antics – including a handcuff gesture – earned him a three-game touchline ban. Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba were sent off in the opening 38 minutes of that tie and both are suspended, while Esteban Cambiasso and Sulley Ali Muntari sit out two-match bans for a brawl in the tunnel at half-time.

Considering Cristian Chivu is injured with Davide Santon and Marco Materazzi struggling to recover full fitness, it leaves precious few options at the back. Javier Zanetti did well as a left-back against Chelsea and will resume that role, but if Materazzi fails to recover then we could see youth team player Luca Caldirola promoted to the starting XI less than a month after turning 19.

A solid defence will be crucial when faced by Serie A Capocannoniere Antonio Di Natale, who has now taken his seasonal tally to 18 goals. The veteran striker completed a comeback to defeat Cagliari 2-1 on Wednesday in the rescheduled Week 17 fixture originally snowed off in December.

That match represented the return to the bench of Coach Pasquale Marino, who was sacked over Christmas and recalled following a disappointing spell under Gianni De Biasi. Marino must do without the injured Gaetano D’Agostino, Christian Obodo and possibly also Dusan Basta, but Mauricio Isla is becoming an assured right-back.

Di Natale isn’t the only threat, as the tricky feet and pace of Alexis Sanchez join forces with Antonio Floro Flores’ power in the air to create an impressive trident attack. After seeing the goal that Julio Cesar let in against Chelsea, Gokhan Inler will also be practising his long-range screamers.

Inter have reason to be nervous, as just three points in as many Serie A games and no goals in two allowed Milan to close within four points, while Roma trail the leaders by five. Had the Nerazzurri not won both derby head-to-heads, their city rivals would now be on top of the table.

Their record against Udinese is anything but reassuring. Back in October it took a 96th-minute Wesley Sneijder strike to snatch a 2-1 victory at San Siro after Di Natale had wiped out Dejan Stankovic’s opener. Before benefiting from an Isla own goal last season, they had conquered the Stadio Friuli just once since 1998 in all competition.

Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – There’s no doubting Toto’ is the danger man here, as he is Serie A top scorer with 18 and is responsible for over half of the team’s total 30 goals. He has also now broken his taboo, as before October’s 2-1 defeat at San Siro, he had only netted against Inter once in 2002 for Empoli.

Last five in Serie A: Udinese (D W L L W) Inter (W W D D D)

Last season: Udinese 0-1 Inter


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Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Isla, Coda, Zapata, Lukovic; Inler, Sammarco, Asamoah; Sanchez, Floro Flores, Di Natale

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Materazzi, Zanetti; Mariga, Stankovic, Thiago Motta; Sneijder; Milito, Eto’o

Ref: To follow...

[juventino_italiano]

Udinese want Zac back Tuesday 2 March, 2010

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Udinese are giving serious thought to bringing Alberto Zaccheroni back for a second stint in charge of the club next season.

The Zebrette have endured a tumultuous year, firing Pasquale Marino in December and then hiring him again last week after Gianni De Biasi failed to turn things around at Friuli.

Udinese currently lie 15th in Serie A and have only won three of their last 10 games.

Giampaolo Pozzo, the club's owner, is planning ahead as he doesn't see Marino having a long-term future at the club.

Mediaset understands that he is monitoring Zaccheroni's situation at Juventus where he is on a five-month contract as a caretaker manager.

Juventus are expected to replace him in the summer with one of either Cesare Prandelli, Rafa Benitez or Fabio Capello.

Zaccheroni is one of the most successful coaches in Udinese's history having led them to a third place finish in Serie A in 1998.

[Messinterista]

Atalanta 0-0 Udinese

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia


It was goalless at the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia in a result that does little to reassure either side.

This has turned into a relegation dogfight, as the Friulani sat four points clear of the drop zone with Atalanta in penultimate place. Pasquale Marino's return to the Udinese bench gave them a brief boost and they were unlucky to fall 3-2 to Inter last week.

Simone Padoin was suspended with Fabio Ceravolo, Caserta and Edgar Barreto injured. The visitors missed Gaetano D'Agostino, Dujan Basta and Christian Obodo.

Jaime Valdes thumped an impressive left-foot volley that whistled wide, while Samir Handanovic had to rush off his line to stop Ferreira Pinto in a one-on-one.

Jose Leonardo Talamonti limped off for Atalanta just 23 minutes in. Antonio Di Natale volleyed just over and Andrea Consigli blocked an Antonio Floro Flores effort.

Simone Pepe went on the counter down the right and his angled drive was beaten away by Consigli's body.

Straight after the restart Simone Tiribocchi skimmed the crossbar from the edge of the area, while at the other end Pepe's deflected right-foot shot whistled wide.

Bad luck for Mauricio Isla, who lasted only 14 minutes before a clash with Tiribocchi saw him limp off again.

Di Natale's free kick curled off target and Consigli trapped a Floro Flores right-foot shot from distance.

Atalanta ended the game with 10 men, as substitute Bianco received his second booking for a two-footed tackle on Alexis Sanchez. In stoppages Asamoah just failed to get the final touch to a Sanchez assist.

Atalanta: Consigli; Garics, Talamonti (Bianco 23), Manfredini, Bellini; Ferriera Pinto (Chevanton 56), Guarente, Volpi, Valdes; Doni; Tiribocchi (Amoruso 72)

Udinese: Handanovic; Cuadrado (Isla 51) (Ferronetti 66), Zapata, Lukovic, Pasquale; Sammarco, Inler, Asamoah; Pepe (Sanchez 81), Floro Flores, Di Natale

Ref: Giannoccaro

Sent off: Bianco 87 (A)

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/ata-udi.html

[juventino_italiano]

I won't stop, says Floro Flores Wednesday 17 March, 2010

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Udinese striker Antonio Floro Flores has promised not to stop scoring after breaking his personal record for the season in Serie A.

The 26-year-old former Napoli youngster has scored seven goals so far and is now looked upon as a crucial figure in Udinese's fight against relegation.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Floros Flores explained that his recent run of form has silenced his critics.

“For all the people who didn't believe in me, there are just as many who never stopped doing so. I dedicate my record to them,â€

[Messinterista]

Roma - Udinese

Stadio Olimpico


Roma wasted a great chance last week and cannot afford to do the same against a revived Udinese, but go in with four top stars banned.

The Giallorossi had the opportunity to close the gap on leaders Inter and maybe even spark a late Scudetto surge, but were pegged back to a 3-3 draw at Livorno, their third on the bounce.

To make matters worse, cards in that game mean they’ll be without the suspended David Pizarro, Daniele De Rossi, Philippe Mexes and Rodrigo Taddei, while Francesco Totti remains sidelined.

Mirko Vucinic has now recovered and should start with Simone Perrotta, Luca Toni and either Jeremy Menez or Julio Baptista. Claudio Ranieri will be wary of fielding too attacking a formation, as Udinese can be deadly on the counter with their trident attack of Antonio Di Natale, Simone Pepe and Antonio Floro Flores. This is especially true when the midfield is devoid of both first team stars, so Matteo Brighi and the inexperienced Ricardo Faty step into the breach.

Udinese have had their fair share of problems, but seem to have turned a corner with last week’s 3-2 victory over Palermo. That result took them away from the danger zone and also provided the confidence-booster of beating the fourth-placed team.

Gaetano D’Agostino, Christian Obodo and Dusan Basta are still out of action with Maurizio Domizzi a doubt for this game. It is a particularly special game for Pepe, who grew up in the Roma youth system.

The Friulani have an excellent record at the Olimpico. Since their return to Serie A in 1994-95, they have visited the capital 15 times with five wins, four draws and six defeats.

Keep an eye on: Luca Toni (Roma) – Injured almost the moment he arrived on loan from Bayern Munich, the hitman is back and forced to take the leadership role due to the absence of Totti and De Rossi. He holds up the ball and that can prove almost as important as goals in games like this.

Last five in Serie A: Roma (W W D D D) Udinese (L L L D W)

Last season: Roma 1-1 Udinese

Roma (probable): Julio Sergio; Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Riise; Faty, Brighi; Perrotta, Julio Baptista, Vucinic; Toni

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Isla, Coda, Zapata, Lukovic; Sammarco, Inler, Asamoah; Pepe, Di Natale, Floro Flores

Ref: To follow...

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/rom-udi.html

[juventino_italiano]

Serie A Week 30 - 24/3/10 (19.45 UK)
Udinese - Chievo

Stadio Friuli

Udinese and Chievo meet in a game between two sides certainly looking more behind them than ahead. As they seek to consolidate their place in Serie A, they will both see an opportunity for three points in this game which should make for a battled affair.

Udinese will look to recreate the good play that saw them beat Palermo and then lose to Roma with what was an ungenerous score line. Chievo on the other hand come from the controversy wrapped match with Catania knowing their away form against lower placed League sides is a good omen.

With Giovanni Pasquale banned for one game there should be a reshuffling of the back line with Andrea Coda returning to the starting XI and joining the usual Cristian Zapata in the centre. Aleksandar Lukovic will move to the left-back position with question marks over right-back – Mauricio Isla is the obvious choice but Damiano Feronetti is finally fit after a year-long knee injury.

Rotation is needed in the midfield after Gokhan Inler appeared fatigued against Roma – therefore we should see Francesco Lodi in the playmaker role with Kwadwo Asamoah and Paolo Sammarco either side. If the aforementioned Feronetti returns to the backline, Isla may move to the midfield allowing Asamoah to also be rested.

Only a couple days training prior to this game but the formations tried by Pasquale Marino appear to favour the front line that started in Rome, with Alexis Sanchez likely to start on the right of the prolific Antonio Di Natale and Antonio Floro Flores retaining his position on the left.

Chievo Coach Domenico Di Carlo will be saddened by the diagnosis of Michele Marcolini after the midfielder injured his right hamstring in the session prior to the Catania game and has been sidelined for a month. Luca Araitti is ready to deputise on the left side of the midfield, though it is a considerable loss at this crucial time of the season.

At the back, Andrea Mantovani returns from his ban and Santiago Morero is also likely to replace Davide Mandelli who started against the Sicilians. Almost certainly Giampiero Pinzi will start behind the strikers and Pablo Granoche is currently the favourite to partner Sergio Pellissier up front.

Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – It may seem a cliché to select the League’s top scorer as a key man for this game, but more than ever Di Natale warrants a special mention. On Monday Udinese celebrated ‘Di Natale Day’ in honour of the Napoli-born striker, who with 76 goals is now the most prolific Bianconeri scorer of all time. Di Natale received a special prize from the club, and with such an honour prior to this game he will be buzzing to score again.

Last five in Serie A: Udinese (L L D W L) Chievo Verona (W W L L D)

Last season: Udinese 0-1 Chievo


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Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Isla, Coda, Zapata, Lukovic; Sammarco, Lodi, Asamoah, Sanchez, Di Natale, Floro Flores

Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Frey, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Ariatti, Pinzi; Pellissier, Granoche

Ref: Mazzoleni

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[Messinterista]

Serie A Week 31 - 28/3/10 (14.00UK)
Fiorentina - Udinese

Stadio Franchi


Fiorentina are still chasing European qualification and have no option but to beat Udinese at the Stadio Franchi. But the Bianconeri cannot afford to lose this one.

The Viola suffered an unexpected defeat away to Catania in midweek which reduced their chances of a place in Europe next season. Although they are only four points from sixth place, they sit tenth in the table which underlines the competitiveness of the Division.

“Champions League football is only a dream now,” said Cesare Prandelli. “Against Catania we tried our best to equalise following their early goal but we wasted too many opportunities.”

The Bianconeri are in big trouble. They expected an easy win against Chievo in midweek and were instead held to a goalless draw. Relegation rivals Lazio and Atalanta won instead so the Friulani now only lay four points ahead of the drop zone.

“I am quite calm because I feel the point we earned against Chievo is a step forward towards survival,” said Pasquale Marino. “I think the draw was good for us because sometimes you end up losing games like this one.”

For this game, Marino will be without suspended Giovanni Pasquale and the injured Andrea Coda. They will be replaced by Aleksander Lukovic and Damiano Ferronetti respectively. Up front Marino should opt for a trident leaving out both Bernardo Corradi and Simone Pepe.

Prandelli could field two former Udinese players at the centre of the Viola backline - Felipe and Cesare Natali. Mario Bolatti will start in midfield since Cristiano Zanetti is still unfit, while Alessandro Gobbi will play wide on the left flank.

Keep an eye on: Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina) – The Montenegrin starlet is always particularly inspired when playing at the Artemio Franchi. The Viola need his touches to land the three points and he will be looking to deliver.

Last five in Serie A: Fiorentina (D L W W L) Udinese (L D W L D)

Last season: Fiorentina 4-2 Udinese

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Comotto, Natali, Felipe, Pasqual; Santana, Bolatti, Montolivo, Gobbi; Jovetic, Gilardino

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Isla, Zapata, Ferronetti, Lukovic; Sammarco, Lodi, Asamoah; Sanchez, Floro Flores, Di Natale

Ref: To follow

[Messinterista]

Udinese 3-0 Juventus

Sanchez 9 (U), Pepe 65 (U), Di Natale 76 (U)
Stadio Friuli

Juventus suffered their worst defeat of the season, humiliated 3-0 by fourth-from-bottom Udinese and drop to seventh place.

The Bianconeri returned to winning ways last week, but only by scraping past Atalanta in a game they probably deserved to lose. Diego, Giorgio Chiellini, Christian Poulsen, Martin Caceres, Gianluigi Buffon and Antonio Chimenti were out of action, so they went for a 4-4-2 system that wouldn't replace Diego tactically. Udinese were still hovering above the drop zone, but missing Gaetano D'Agostino, Dusan Basta, Andrea Coda, Chris Obodo and Maurizio Domizzi.

Juventus had an aggressive start, knowing from other results that a win would put them in joint fourth place with Palermo and Sampdoria. Samir Handanovic smothered a Mauro Camoranesi effort.

However, it was Udinese who took the lead. Antonio Di Natale ran on to a Pasquale ball over the top and his half-volley cracked against the upright, but the ricochet fell to Alexis Sanchez to tap in from a couple of yards.

Jonathan Zebina's shot came off Handanovic's chest in a clumsy intervention, but the goalkeeper was safer on Camoranesi.

Handanovic flew to palm an Alessandro The Waterboy free kick away and Zebina flashed a cross-shot across the face of goal with nobody able to tap it in.

On the stroke of half-time it was nearly 2-0, as tender Alex Manninger leapt to palm a Pasquale snapshot out of the far corner. The Austrian goalkeeper also got down to block a Di Natale angled drive.

Gokhan Inler tried to run off a knock, but was forced out at the dawn of the second half. Fabio Cannavaro had to read the game perfectly to intercept a dangerous pass that was sending Pepe clear on goal.

Some desperate defending and an unlucky bounce for Pepe's half-volley meant Juve were able to escape unpunished from a counter-attack. Ex-Udinese star Vincenzo Iaquinta replaced The Waterboy for the final half-hour.

Juve weren't so lucky in a similar move soon after. This time Handanovic managed to parry from Sanchez when he ran on to a Di Natale through ball, but the defence was fast asleep as Pepe fired in the follow-up from the edge of the box.

The shot was so hard that it tore the net off its hinges, so play had to be halted while the stadium staff - and a ballboy - fixed the goalmouth.

Juve had a good chance from a corner when Felipe Melo's volley took a double ricochet off teammate Iaquinta to go wide.

It was 3-0 for Udinese with Di Natale's 22nd of the season at the end of a great team move. Mauricio Isla exchanged passes with Sanchez outside the box until Di Natale feinted a shot towards the far post, but instead snuck it in near with Manninger rooted to the spot.

Iaquinta almost got one back when Handanovic missed a Paolo De Ceglie cross, but his header was wide of the open goal. Claudio Marchisio should've done a lot better from Zebina's chipped cross, but smacked it into the ground to go off target.

Handanovic was at full stretch to fingertip Amauri's daisy-cutter away, but at the other end the counter-attacks were vicious with Manninger keeping out Antonio Floro Flores and Pepe.

The humiliation was complete in stoppages with the crowd cheering at every Udinese pass strung together without a Juventus man able to get near the ball.

Udinese: Handanovic; Ferronetti (Badu 79), Zapata, Lukovic, Pasquale; Isla, Inler (Sammarco 48), Asamoah, Pepe; Sanchez, Di Natale (Floro Flores 81)

Juventus: Manninger; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Cannavaro, De Ceglie; Camoranesi (Giovinco 66), Sissoko, Felipe Melo (Candreva 87), Marchisio; Amauri, The Waterboy (Iaquinta 60)

Ref: Rocchi

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa0910/udi-juv.html

[Messinterista]

Livorno - Udinese

Stadio Picchi


Both clubs sacked their Coaches only to bring them back for the final push in this relegation dogfight, as Gennaro Ruotolo 'debuts' again for Livorno.

This week Livorno axed Serse Cosmi after sliding to the foot of the table with five points from the last 13 rounds. The fact his final result was a very positive 1-1 draw away to Genoa was not enough to fix the fractured rapport between the club and their tactician. “We tried to see if something would change. Instead it didn't,â€