UDINESE CALCIO - Page 11 - TalkSoccer

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 02:28 PM

21' Pozzi through on goal! Must be! Oooh! No! He slams the ball against an upright with De Sanctis beaten all ends up again!

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 02:34 PM

29' What a save from De Sanctis to deny Pozzi a second! Vannucchi delivers a great free kick into the danger zone and Pozzi's there to direct a header goalwards, only to see the Udinese keeper pull off a miraculous save from point blank range!

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 02:41 PM

35' Muntari in trouble here... the Ghanaian flies into Raggi... and he goes into the book for his indiscretion!

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 02:45 PM

40' Muntari bounces back from his booking by testing Balli in the Empoli goal!

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 02:54 PM

HT 1-0 to Empoli.

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 03:27 PM

65' Natale fires in a shot... Di Natale diverts it on its way! Oooh! Over the bar!

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 03:50 PM

85' Muntari lets fly... Di Natale dives out of the way, leaving the unsighted Balli to divert the ball onto the bar at the last minute! That'll go down as a decent save.

**D-Kin** · 04-03-2007, 03:57 PM

FT 1-0 to Empoli.

**D-Kin** · 05-03-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Serie A Week 27 - 4/3/07 (14.00 UK)

Udinese 0 - 1 Empoli
Pozzi 18 (E)
Stadio Friuli

Nicola Pozzi took advantage of a howler from ex-Empoli man Andrea Coda to earn a shock victory at the Friuli.

The Tuscans had never conquered the Stadio Friuli in Serie A, managing just two points from their six visits, but this was a head-to-head battle for European places. Udinese were fresh from stopping Inter's 17-match winning streak, but had Marco Motta on a three-match ban for elbowing an opponent, while Vincenzo Iaquinta, Cristian Zenoni, Paulo Barreto and Dias Felipe were injured. Luca Saudati was suspended for the visitors.

Udinese should've taken the lead in the opening couple of minutes, as Sulley Ali Muntari's free kick found Christian Obodo free at the back post, but the finish was too weak to beat Daniele Balli from six yards.

Moments later Gyan Asamoah went on the counter and forced Balli into a parry, while ex-Empoli man Antonio Di Natale fired the follow-up wide.

Di Natale wasted another chance when he managed to waltz round the goalkeeper, but the angle was too narrow and his lob was easily dealt with.

However, Empoli took the lead against the run of play thanks to a howler from a former Azzurri player. Andrea Coda hit a fresh air clearance on Antonio Busce's cross and Nicola Pozzi was clear to beat De Sanctis from the penalty spot.

Moments later it was nearly 2-0 with another counter-attack and Pozzi staring De Sanctis in the eyes once more, but this time his effort hit the upright.

Udinese were really struggling at the back now and De Sanctis had his palms stung in a reaction save on Stefano Lucchini's header.

Muntari's character is a definite problem and he was booked for a horrible reaction foul on Andrea Raggi that could so easily have been a straight red.

Udinese were all over the place and removed Coda for Siqueira, switching Zapotocny back to defence, and the youngster nodded just wide of the goal.

Muntari had the chance to equalise, but hesitated when one-on-one with the 'keeper.

Substitute Siqueira had a promising solo effort, but they went even closer on 65 minutes. Cesare Natali's wayward strike needed only a touch to go in, but Di Natale somehow blazed it wide at the back post from a yard.

Siqueira thought he had equalised with a low drive, but the goal was disallowed for an offside position.

Udinese had a series of scoring opportunities, but couldn't seem to find a way through the solid Empoli defence.

Young substitute Tiboni volleyed over from close range and Balli nearly gave away a comical goal. Di Natale dived out the way of a Muntari screamer and the goalkeeper flapped it on to his own crossbar.

Balli pushed a stoppage-time D'Agostino strike round the upright to secure all three points for Empoli.

Udinese: De Sanctis; Coda (Siqueira 35), Natali, Zapata; Zapotocny (D'Agostino 67), Obodo, Pinzi (Tiboni 74), Muntari, Dossena; Asamoah, Di Natale

Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Vanigli, Lucchini, Tosto; Almiron, Moro; Busce', Vannucchi, Marianini; Pozzi

channel4.com - Football Italia

Forza_Roma · 05-03-2007, 03:26 PM

Iaquinta is clearly missed. Al though not scoring against Empoli is nothing out of the ordinary!

**D-Kin** · 05-03-2007, 10:36 PM

You have to give Empoli credit, it's not easy to beat Udinese on their own turf.

I just hope they get into Europe after a season like this.

Forza_Roma · 06-03-2007, 12:13 AM

It will be close. Milan will over take them. Fiorentina may jump a head as well. I think they will end up battling Lazio and Palermo for the last spot in CL and/or Uefa. Should be a great battle at both ends of the table come end of the year, eh?

**D-Kin** · 06-03-2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

Should be a great battle at both ends of the table come end of the year, eh?

I hope so, it's not like we've got a title race.

Forza_Roma · 06-03-2007, 12:38 AM

...you sound like my gf...last night, i made fun of her for something, then her response was "ya eh...well last time i checked the standings, Inter was number one and Roma was second"

**D-Kin** · 06-03-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

...you sound like my gf...last night, i made fun of her for something, then her response was "ya eh...well last time i checked the standings, Inter was number one and Roma was second"

My comment was more of a dig at Inter and the current state of the league than Roma.

But wait, your girlfriend is an Inter fan?