UDINESE CALCIO

[D-Kin]

Milan are planning a January move for Vincenzo Iaquinta.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

This I can believe.

However Milan need to really think things out, as they have too many strikers who play the same way.

[D-Kin]

Exactly, that's why it's a strange decision to go for him. Iaquinta, Inzaghi and Gilardino are all similar players.

Cassano would be the better option.

[D-Kin]

Udinese have recalled wing-back Aleksandar Lukovic from his loan spell at Ascoli.

tribalfootball.com - Udinese welcome back Lukovic

[D-Kin]

Sampdoria have offered Udinese £3.5 million for their 50 per cent of Fabio Quagliarella's registration.

tribalfootball.com - Sampdoria prepare for big Quagliarella sale

[D-Kin]

During their winter training camp in Barcelona Udinese have handed trials to goalkeeper Saulo Squarsone of Santos.

tribalfootball.com - Udinese trials for Brazilian goalkeeper

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 19 - 14/1/07 (14.00 UK)
Palermo - Udinese

Stadio Barbera

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Udinese make the long trip south to the Stadio Renzo Barbera for a clash with high-flying Palermo. Both sides were in stuttering form before Christmas, with the Sicilians seeing their Scudetto hopes crushed and the Bianconeri’s bid for Champions League qualification slipping away.

However, despite their sloppy play, Giovanni Galeone’s men remain just three points off fourth place and they have some key players returning to their starting line-up after the 3-0 defeat to Milan prior to the winter break. Sulley Ali Muntari is still serving a suspension, but Raffaele De Martino should make his comeback after a ban in place of Roman Eremenko. Also set to return are Dias Felipe and Cesare Natali.

For a while, Palermo had looked like upsetting the odds to launch a stunning bid for the Scudetto this term, but they clearly got in the festive spirit too early last year as they won just one of their last five matches of 2006. To compound matters, Brazilian striker Amauri, who played a key role in their flying start, picked up a knee injury against Siena and is unlikely to play again this term.

However, rather than dipping into the transfer market, the Rosanero have vowed to give Andrea Caracciolo a fair crack of the whip – starting this weekend. The lanky forward will be ably assisted by Mark Bresciano, returning in place of Roberto Guana, and David Di Michele. The tricky winger started last term in Friuli, but moved to Sicily 12 months ago. He netted in the corresponding fixture for the Barbera boys and will fancy his chances of doing likewise this time out, given his impressive form.

Francesco Guidolin’s only other expected change is likely to come in the form of Aimo Diana, with the ex-Samp midfielder being tipped to replace Mattia Cassani. Given their impressive home form this term, Palermo will expect to run out winners against a side who struggle on their travels – and we can expect goals from Serie A’s third highest goalscorers.

Man on fire: David Di Michele (Palermo) – Despite his side’s struggles before Christmas, Di Michele stood out as the one bright spark. He will be a constant threat against his old club.

Last season: Palermo 2-0 Udinese

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

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Palermo (probable): Fontana; Zaccardo, Barzagli, Biava, Pisano; Diana, Corini, Simplicio; Di Michele, Bresciano; Caracciolo

Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Zenoni, Natali, Zapata, Felipe; De Martino, Obodo, Pinzi; Barreto, Iaquinta, Di Natale

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Udinese have clinched the signing of Sparta Prague midfielder Tomas Sivok.

tribalfootball.com - Udinese president Pozzo: Sivok deal done

[D-Kin]

Di Michele wants to put in a good performance against his former club.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

The game of the day tomorrow. I will look forward to watching this.

[Forza_Roma]

Should be a great game...hope Udi can pull off a victory.

[D-Kin]

Palermo to win but I expect goals from both teams.

Di Michele and Di Natale will both score I reckon.

[Jager]

Palermo are at home, but Udinese are hot and cold, as usual.

They seem to be hot and cold for the last decade.

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Palermo with a nice header from Caracciolo...he was left unmarked with only the keeper to beat.

[Jager]

Palermo 2 - 0 Udinese
Caracciolo 32 (P), Zaccardo 74 (P)
Stadio Barbera

Andrea Caracciolo ended his nine-month goal drought to resume Palermo's race for a top three finish.

David Di Michele and Coach Francesco Guidolin came face to face with their former club in this clash for European places, but Amauri's long-term knee injury added to a crisis that saw the Rosanero win just one of their last five matches. Udinese have also stuttered of late and missed the suspended Sulley Ali Muntari and injured goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis. The Rosanero were eager for revenge, as two years ago Udinese won this fixture 5-1.

Within the opening minute Alberto 'Jimmy' Fontana's palms were stung by a touched-on Vincenzo Iaquinta free kick. The visitors lost Dossena to injury after just nine minutes, making way for Andrea Coda.

Palermo also threatened with Roberto Guana's solo effort and a long-range Eugenio Corini strike, but Iaquinta's acrobatic overhead kick was high.

Fontana performed a stunning save on Iaquinta's mazy run and low drive, turning it round the post with an outstretched foot.

The Sicilians were very unlucky not to take the lead on the half-hour mark, as a corner kick was deflected into the path of Andrea Barzagli for a curious backheel flick that was straight at Gabriele Paoletti from a couple of yards.

Palermo have been wondering how they'll survive without Amauri, but Andrea Caracciolo broke his nine-month goal drought with a totally free header on Fabio Simplicio's cross, as the ex-Brescia striker was left criminally unmarked on the penalty spot.

Antonio Di Natale dribbled past Marco Pisano and placed a left-foot curler inches past the far top corner.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Iaquinta creating a good scoring opportunity in the opening minutes, his angled drive from Raffaele De Martino's through ball blocked by Fontana.

Di Michele was unfortunate not to double their lead on 67 minutes, as his wonderful dummy left defenders for dead and he slammed his shot on to the upright. Despite his splendid form, Di Michele was substituted soon after and did not seem very happy with the decision.

Nonetheless, the Rosaero went 2-0 up when Corini's free kick took a touch off Cesare Natali for Cristiano Zaccardo's header from six yards. He would've been offside, but as the deflection came off an Udinese man, he was kept in play.

Substitute Siqueira's shot was deflected off Andrea Barzagli to shake the side-netting from a corner.

Palermo: Fontana; Cassani, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Pisano; Guana, Corini, Simplicio; Di Michele (Diana 70), Bresciano; Caracciolo (Tedesco 89)

Udinese: Paoletti; Zenoni, Natali, Zapata, Dossena (Coda 9); De Martino, Obodo, Pinzi (Eremenko 80); Barreto, Iaquinta, Di Natale (Siqueira 72)

Ref: Paparesta

channel4.com - Football Italia