UDINESE CALCIO

[Forza_Roma]

2-1 Udinese...goal by Di Natale. Cross into the area for him, hits it one time...gets enough of it to go in.

[Forza_Roma]

FT 2-1 Udinese

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 32 - 14/4/07 (19.30 UK)

Udinese 2 - 1 Chievo
Pellissier 10 (C), Iaquinta 34 (U), Di Natale 74 (U)
Stadio Friuli

Udinese's Italian internationals came to the rescue as they fought back from a goal down to defeat Chievo.

Alberto Malesani and Luigi Del Neri took on their former clubs, although both had not been on those benches for many years. Chievo had to do without six first team players, including the suspended Luciano, Lorenzo D'Anna and Salvatore Lanna. Cesare Natali sat out a ban for the home side.

Zapotocny combined with Vincenzo Iaquinta, but the Italian was just closed down in the area by defenders.

But it was Chievo who took the lead in a curious move. A long Fabio Moro ball forward took Cristian Zapata by surprise and Sergio Pellissier kept his cool to lob the on-rushing Morgan De Sanctis.

Pellissier almost repeated the trick soon after, but this time Zapata got back to clear the ball off his foot. Chievo also should've been 2-0 up when Franco Semioli and three teammates went on the counter-attack from a cleared corner, but Vincenzo Italiano ballooned the finish over the bar.

Udinese were a shambles and the crowd at the Stadio Friuli made its frustration heard. Liverpool scouts were in the ground to view Sulley Ali Muntari, but he was repeatedly giving the ball away and feeling the brunt of the fans' anger.

The home side finally got forward on 25 minutes with Chris Obodo nodding Dossena's cross straight at Lorenzo Squizzi. Chievo lost Marcolini to injury, bringing on ex-Premiership man Kamil Kosowski.

Antonio Di Natale exchanged passes with Obodo, but was clearly offside when he took on the goalkeeper.

Udinese went very close to an equaliser with Di Natale's free kick from the left getting a glancing touch off Zapata for Squizzi's splendid point-blank save. From the resulting corner Giampiero Pinzi floated in a cross for Vincenzo Iaquinta's close-range header at the back post.

Straight after the restart there were more errors. Marco Motta's backpass was weak and as Kosowski came flying inbetween him and the goalkeeper, nobody seemed to get a good touch on to it. Chievo had penalty appeals waved away.

Di Natale sprung the offside trap, but was halted by a flag for teammate Iaquinta, even though he was not interfering with play.

Erjon Bogdani disappointed upfront, so Del Neri threw on pacey striker Victor Obinna. However, Udinese were growing in confidence and Dossena went clear down the left, his cross volleyed over by Di Natale from nine yards.

As Chievo rushed down the other end, De Sanctis had his palms stung by Semioli.

There was a spectacular attempt from Di Natale on 70 minutes. Squizzi fumbled a deep Dossena cross to the back post and the former Empoli man moved quickly for a lob that landed on the roof of the empty net from an almost impossible angle.

Obinna's first-time shot was deflected out, but Di Natale eventually found the back of the net with help from a substitute who had been on the field for 120 seconds.

On 74 minutes a Paulo Barreto cross from the left found Di Natale for a volley into the ground that bounced just past Squizzi's outstretched hand in at the near post. It was his 10th goal of the season.

Barreto had a strike deflected off target, but Muntari hit an absolute missile that nearly smashed the crossbar in two.

Iaquinta was left red-faced with a fresh-air volley as the ball fell invitingly towards his foot just seven yards out.

Zapotocny was stretchered off with cramp to make way for fellow Czech Sivok and Siqueira threatened a third with his angled drive from 20 metres skimming the upright.

Udinese ended the match in 10 men, as Andrea Coda picked up a second yellow card for his shoulder-charge on Obinna.

Sivok's perfectly-timed tackle stopped Obinna short inside the area, while Italiano had to block Siqueira's fast-paced counter running 70 metres up the field. Moro was sent off for a foul off the ball on Dossena during that move.

Udinese: De Sanctis; Zapotocny (Sivok 84), Coda, Zapata, Motta (Barreto 72); Obodo, Pinzi, Muntari, Dossena; Di Natale (Siqueira 77), Iaquinta

Chievo: Squizzi; Moro, Mandelli, Mantovani, Marchese; Sammarco, Italiano, Marcolini (Kosowski 27); Semioli, Bogdani (Obinna 62), Pellissier (Cossato 83)

Ref: Stefanini

Sent off: Coda 89 (U), Moro 92 (C)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Should be a good game. Neither club will make CL and will most likely finish the season as is in terms of position. But some good talent out there...should be a good game. i see a draw.

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 22 - 18/4/07 (16.30 UK)

Udinese 1 - 0 Sampdoria
Iaquinta pen 51 (U)
Stadio Friuli

Vincenzo Iaquinta's spot-kick proved enough to secure a slender victory for Udinese.

This was a special occasion for Fabio Quagliarella, as his contract is split between the two clubs. Other than that, the teams are on the outskirts of the race for European spots and Sampdoria were eager to recover from Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Roma, but have Emiliano Bonazzoli and Francesco Flachi out for the rest of the season.

Quagliarella gave Morgan De Sanctis an early warning, forcing him into a one-handed save with a scuffed volley from a corner kick.

Zapotocny drilled over from a corner kick and Marco Motta fired off target after Giulio Falcone's poor clearance.

Youngster Koman was twice in a good position for Samp, his first attempt too weak to trouble Morgan De Sanctis and the assist for Fabio Bazzani interrupted.

Motta drilled over again from distance and Quagliarella was booked for a foul on D'Agostino, so he will be suspended for the next Sampdoria game.

Antonio Di Natale saw the Blucerchiati goalkeeper off his line and attempted an audacious lob.

The referee awarded a penalty for Accardi's handling offence and Vincenzo Iaquinta buried it to give Udinese the lead.

Moments later Di Natale brought a stunning point-blank reaction save out of Berti at the near post after shaking off a challenge at the byline.

Samp finally threatened with a Sergio Volpi rocket that was pushed away by De Sanctis.

But it was mostly Udinese, with Berti again tested by D'Agostino's powerful effort and Franceschini wasted an interesting Romeo assist.

De Sanctis needed his wits about him, as Quagliarella touched on the ball for Christian Maggio, whose tap-in was smothered on the line from a couple of yards.

In the final minutes Quagliarella skimmed the upright, but Sampdoria were unable to get back into the game.

Udinese: De Sanctis; Zaptocny, Natali, Zapata, Motta; Pinzi, D'Agostino (Sivok 79), Muntari, Dossena; Iaquinta (Asamoah 86), Di Natale (Barreto 64)

Sampdoria: Berti; Zenoni (Romeo 68), Falcone, Accardi, Pieri; Maggio, Volpi, Parola, Koman (Franceschini 46); Bazzani (Palombo 73), Quagliarella

Ref: Damato

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 34 - 29/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Udinese-Catania
Stadio Friuli

It will be a must win game for Catania when they face Udinese at the Stadio Friuli in Week 34. The Elefantini have been through a difficult time, and they desperately need all three points if they don’t want to get involved in the relegation battle. The Bianconeri are in good shape and their UEFA target is getting closer.

After an impressive start to the season, the Sicilians have failed to cope with their ambitions. The riots in the derby against Palermo have ruined their season and they are now sitting in 14th position with 33 points. Their relegation rivals, Parma and Chievo, are just one point behind them while Reggina are third from bottom with 31. However, the Rossazzurri still have one more game to play since their Week 33 clash against Ascoli was postponed.

Pasquale Marino is set to return to his favourite 4-3-3 formation. Tireless midfielder Davide Baiocco and Lorenzo Stovini won’t be available due to suspension. Mattia Biso, Giuseppe Colucci, Fausto Rossini and Takayuki Morimoto are out due to injuries. In defence, Giorgio Lucenti will cover the right-hand side, with Peruvian ace Juan Vargas on the left. Star man Giuseppe Mascara will return after a ban. Gionatha Spinesi and Giorgio Corona will complete the trident.

Udinese Coach Alberto Malesani feels that his men played a great game against Reggina to secure a 1-1 draw last weekend. However, the Bianconeri were punished by a controversial penalty and will seek revenge this week. Malesani will probably pick a 3-5-2 formation and will have to do without Sulley Ali Muntari and Giampiero Pinzi who are both banned.

In defence Czech youngster Tomas Zapotocny is very likely to step in, with Andrea Coda on the bench. In the midfield former Atalanta full-back Marco Motta should play on the right, with Andrea Dossena on the left. Christian Obodo is out injured for the rest of the season and will be replaced by Giuseppe D’Agostino. Totò Di Natale and Vincenzo Iaquinta should form the attacking duo.

Man on fire: Totò Di Natale (Udinese) – The striker from Naples has scored 10 goals so far this season. The 30-year-old marksman will be looking to continue his remarkable campaign.

Form guide: Udinese (L D W W D) Catania (L L L L D)

Last season: Not played

Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Zapotocny, Natali, Zapata; Motta, Sivok, D’Agostino, Siqueira, Dossena; Di Natale, Iaquinta

Catania (probable): Pantanelli; Lucenti, Sottil, Cesar, Vargas; Izco, Edusei, Caserta; Mascara, Spinesi, Corona

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Unpredictable Udinese...but with Iaquinta coming on strong lately and Di Natale playing well...i think Udinese will get the three points.

[D-Kin]

2' More early action as Mascara has the chance to give Catania the lead, but angles his shot narrowly wide of the left-hand post!

[D-Kin]

HT 0-0.

[Forza_Roma]

Surprised not much stats about Iaquinta or Di Natale. Hope they are having a good game. But it's been very quiet this first half this week. Maybe the second half will feature more goals.

[D-Kin]

52' Udinese down to 10! Coda brings down Mascara as he bears down on goal and he was the last man! Red card no doubt, but the referee gives a penalty when the contact was outside the box!

[D-Kin]

Spinesi scores the penalty, Catania are 1-0 up.

[D-Kin]

60' Good save Pantanelli! The Catania keeper reacts quickly to parry an effort from Tomas Sivok and preserve his team's lead.

[D-Kin]

70' Udinese free-kick right on the edge of the Catania box, a great chance... the referee marches the wall back. They know how dangerous this is...

[D-Kin]

71' Iaquinta smashes his shot goalwards, but it cannons back off the wall. A job well done by the Catania defence.