It is, the winner qualifies for the Europa League but if the winner has already qualified for the Champions' League then the cup runner up gets the Europa League spot.
Roma/Napoli/Lazio are the potentials for the final. Roma + Napoli look certs for the CL anyway. Lazio may scrap Europa but i'd doubt it, Udinese may even be able to beat Lazio in the final.
Roma and Napoli are on another level to the teams from Milan this year, Roma have done better points wise, but Napoli have one hell of a team!
Roma's defence has been really solid, I think I'm right in saying that they haven't let a shot on target on their own goal for the last three games. Benatia is proving his value there.
Anything may happen. We also have beaten Fiorentina 1-0, and played quite well against Juventus (which is destroying serie A), losing 1-0 only at 93'. We are, or better we probably will be (unless Siena beats Fiorentina tonight) the underdog in the semifinals. But this season, more than ever (it was always a "trademark" for Udinese last years), we seem to play quite well against the "big teams" who play an open game, while we suffer against teams who press a lot or "park the bus" and usually we lose with them conceding silly goals. That's why I hope tonight Fiorentina will win and not Siena (currently in second tier). I think the semifinals against Siena would be much more dangerous for us.
It's actually a bit ridiculous the similarities between Udinese and Watford since the Pozzos took over.
I'd say that we have overall in the last 2 seasons. 6-1 against Leeds. 3-1 and 2-1 against Leicester. Don't get much bigger than that.
Back to the topic of very young GK. Just watched this clip linked on Udinese forum: [video=youtube;n8CdvDAms1Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8CdvDAms1Y[/video] This one is Alex Meret, local lad too (born in Udine) 16 YO during a training for Italy's national teams (he's in U17). He's in Udinese Primavera. Doesn't seem bad, considering the ones who shooted the FKs were Pirlo, Diamanti, Rossi, Aquilani, Osvaldo and Florenzi. http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/alex-meret/profil/spieler_240414.html
An excellent and accurate analysis on Udinese's situation on http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs...success-why-udinese-fell-grace-145705829.html Particularly interesting the point that this was the first year in which ONLY one player (Benatia) of the usual starting 11 was sold in summer (instead of 2-3 as typical) and maybe this led to some complacency and delusion of strength that reduced the hard work and commitment needed. And maybe also led to some players not really happy of staying (at low wage) thus not giving 100% of work and concentration.
Good read, I enjoyed the one comment at the bottom "As an Udinese fan, they've been absolutely awful this season. They seem to be a selling club too which is a shame especially.." Must be a great fan for it to only "seem to be a selling club" :jumping1:
At last! A very important win in a 6-pointer to go away from risk zone. Not a beautiful macth, but very intense. We were forced to stay in defence for most of the game, particularly in the first part of SH, by a very aggressive Bologna trying its best to recover after our pen at 14'. First match as a professional, in a very difficult and important match, for our young "local lad", the 17YO GK Scuffet. He did well. Didn't have to make great saves but seemed sure, composed and always in the right position. Well done for him!
Not sure if it has been said on here or not, had a quick look. Coppa Italia Semi Final 1st leg v Fiorentina will be live on Sky Sports 1 on Tues at 7.45 pm. All games in the semi finals and final will be on live.
An interesting thing is that, even with Udinese so low in table (compared to recent years), the Coppa Italia is an incredible chance for us to reach Europe again, if we beat Fiorentina. The cup winner qualifies to EL group stage. If the winner is already qualified to CL, then the runner-up qualifies for EL play-off round. The other semi-final is Roma-Napoli. They're currently 2nd and 3rd in table with quite a chance to mantain those positions (that mean CL qualification). So, just beating Fiorentina in the semis would mean a large possibility to qualify for EL, even if just runner-up. Of course winning the cup would be a dream come true, but let's stay on ground!
Sherlock - i remember seeing designs for Udinese's new stadium some months ago. Is this still happening? I remember that it looked pretty good! Also, was it the Udinese fans that were singing Dale Cavese during the Fiorentina game? It was in the 31st minute.
Good first half so far, fairly even game (would say Fiorentina have had the slightly better of it though). 1-1 at HT, Di Natale scoring Udineses goal, with this beauty from Vargas to equalise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP_uJnJdIKM
FT 2-1. Great goal by Muriel! A difficult score, a 2-0 would have been much better in view of the return match, but I can't complain. An even match against a very strong team and a slight advantage waiting for the next 90'.
Good performance, Scuffet looked better as the game went on and Muriel was good off the bench, really impressed by Pereyra and Domizzi always impresses me when I watch.
Yes, after the renewal of the pitch this summer finally the european bid for the works began, after a lot of tiring bureaucracy. Extensive info on http://www.udinese.it/portal/EN/handle/?hil&page=redazione_nuovostadiofriuli&language=inglese
Pereyra is very incosistent. Can be irritating to watch when he's in "off" mode, but can be absolutely great when in the right day. And I must admit he impresses for being able to play almost in every position. Guidolin has used him in EVERY possible position in midfield and attack.
Yes. That's why 2-1 is a "difficult" result. But a good result anyway. They'll have to attack to try to win in the return match and "usually" (not so much so far this season) Udinese is very good in defending and going on the break.
He looked good, but as you say, he has never impressed me in the 3/4 times i've watched Udinese before. Young Lopez also impressed me tonight, great deal that was to bring him to Udine!
