Unchanged ambitions in the new season
Last season Friuliani looked like a material for top four, played great, schooled big clubs and spent the first part of the championship in the Champions League zone. Weak from during January coincided with a tight schedule; they had the misfortune of hosting Milan, Inter and Juventus in that period so they slipped on the standings and managed to hold on in the UEFA Cup zone during a calm spring. If there is a bright example in Italian football when it comes to smaller clubs, then it is certainly Udinese. Transfer policy was flawless, patron Pozzo has over the years managed to create a system where young players are piling up. The generation that brought the club to the Champions League is off the scene, Iaquinta and the rest have left the club but it didn't affect the play last year. Series of wise investment again made up the team worthy of respect… The fact that two Italian internationals Totto di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella are still at Friuli speaks enough of Udinese's ambitions. However, Pozzo didn't miss the opportunity to earn on Dossena who went to Liverpool but his transfer will put the club through the next year. They kept Zapata and Inler, two young lions in who the biggest European clubs are interested. With this kind of a policy, Udinese don't have to worry about their future; as we se it, this club has all the prerequisites to take Parma's place in so called “seven sisters of Italian football”, that is to say to join Milan, Juventus, Inter, Roma, Lazio, and Fiorentina.
Few new players will lift Udinese's play to a higher level
Each line of the team is reinforced for coach Marino to have as many players as possible at his disposal. Faced with the last year's experience when almost complete defense was out of the pitch, Udinese management hired talented Motta from Atalanta, good Swiss international Nef from Piacenza, experienced Pasquale from Livorno. Basta arrived from Serbia, so these players will reinforce the competition, especially because Zapata is injured and he will miss the start of the season. The greatest back-up is certainly the Argentinean Tissone from Atalanta, this player deserves to play in a big club and together with Inler he will make a tandem of two midfielders with most potential in Serie A. Friuliani, of course, used the advantages of their scouting service; they brought Chilean Alexis Sanchez from River Plate. They say that he will be a revelation, with an already reserved place in the starting eleven, and in order not to crowd the players, Marino decided to let Langella go to Chievo. He has just arrived to Friuli an excellent player who didn't get a chance... This speaks of the quality of Udinese's attack. Marino likes 4-3-3 formation but he will probably modify it to 4-2-3-1. Offensive midfielders Sanchez, Floro Flores and Di Natale will support Quagliarelle in the attack. Udinese seem as a team capable for this formation that is very popular in modern football.
In
Motta, Tissone (Atalanta), Sanchez (River Plata), Pasquale (Livorno), Basta (Red Star), Nef (Piacenza), Masiello (vicenza), Vujadinovic (CSKA Sofia)
Out
Pinzi, Eremenko, Sivok, Zapotochny, Paolucci, Asamoah, Dossena
Our tip
Don't be scared by the number of players left; whole standard line-ups is still there except for Dossena. Last year Asamoah was injured, the rest are the players that didn't get much chance on the pitch, that is to say back-up which is now replaced with cheaper players who also have the potential but won't be starters. You might think that we are exaggerating but we believe that Udinese can end up in top 6 or even join the Champions League contention. Last season many readers protested about our general preview when we said that Udinese and Sampdoria can get to UEFA Cup. Sampdoria are not so strong this year but Udinese have the room for progress. Except for the top five we don't see anyone who can match Friuliani, except maybe Napoli. That is why each place out of top seven would be a disappointment for Udinese. They will play without pressure, and as usually be a tough nut to crack for the biggest teams.
Our tip:
Udinese to finish in top 6
Odds 2.50
Bookmaker: Bet365
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