Match Review: Lazio 2 - 2 Udinese

It could be considered as a good result for Udinese, considering how strong Lazio this season. But Udinese has a chance to win, when a quick counter attack set Di Natale to a golden chance which is saved by Lazio goalkeeper.

This match also left several signs for Udinese this season. Lazio got a golden chance to kill the game by quick counter attack that set Lazio's striker to a one-on-one to Handanovic, but Handanovic briliantly saved it. When Udinese concentrating too much on attacking, it lefts big open space behind, as the team has only three on the back, and is very dangerous when the opponent does a quick counter attack like Lazio did.

But this match, as well as away win at Inter, also give us a good proof that Udinese could compete with other strong teams in Italy. Udinese's second goal is very briliantly created by good quick passing, perfect offside-trap-breaking, and divine understanding between the players. Almost no team could easily imitate the way Udinese plays, as it needs intelligence, creativity, technique, and team-work in the same time to produce such. In sense of that, Udinese has a chance to break to at least big three in Serie A this season.

Match Review: Udinese 1 - 1 Celtic

Despite only need a draw to go through, and despite two big game against Lazio and Juventus in the next 7 days, Udinese bring on almost full team to face Celtic. Only Doubai is considered as second team member who started. Abdi is not first team member, but the choice could be considered thinkable, as Floro Flores doesn't perform well recently.

Both teams played well in this game and deserved to go through to the knockout stages. Celtic was superb in the first half, exploited the weakness of Udinese defences. The goal itself is completely unfortunate for Udinese, but the movement of Samaras makes Udinese defenders worked really hard.

However, Udinese completely control the game in the second half, creating dozens of great chances. Di Natale didn't look sharp as he is always, wasted several one-on-one chances that could bring more relief at Udinese. But Di Natale is not the single culprit. Other players of Udinese also wasted several great chances to take the lead.

Poor final touch may be one of Udinese's great task to solve this season. Not only in this game, in several Serie A games, Udinese could had easily won in big scores, but many chances-wasting prevent it. Too much relying to Di Natale to score is one of the possible reason, but Udinese need to find other striker with world class finishing.

Final 5 minutes of this game was really a scare for Udinese. Even single could kill Udinese off the Europa League. Udinese defenders couldn't handle several corner kicks from Celtic. Handanovic was out of his position, but couldn't get the ball as well. This is may be a new task for Guidolin to handle.

Match Review: Udinese 2 - 1 Chievo

This valuable win made Udinese became a joint leader in Serie A with Juventus. However, the way Udinese play was just like an average team in Serie A, with home advantage. Even after leading, quick counter attack which is the Udinese trademark did not work well. But creative passing, which is also lead to the opener, worked well.

I can't decide the single man of the match at this time. This victory is a result of team work. Handanovic was brave in front of goal, Benatia was strong, Armero's speed always makes trouble to Chievo's defenders, Isla was good at both defending and attacking, and di Natale has a quality as always.

Match Review: Inter 0 - 1 Udinese

Another solid display by Udinese, but it also an open and entertaining encounter. Although Udinese threw almost all of their first time squad at the midweek Europa League, there was no sign of tiredness from the players. They control the game at the middle and the front up, although its defenders is warned several times by Inter's wasted chances.

At the beginning, it looks like those "control the game but not the result" encounter for Udinese. But Di Natale again show his class to open the Inter defenders and create the only goal. Despite the missed penalty, Di Natale's movement is brilliant and his skill is exceptional. He is our man of the match.

Match Review: Rennes 0 - 0 Udinese

This is the best Udinese after a while in my opinion. Despite tough encounter against Inter this weekend, Guidolin plays the best possible starter at Rennes (except Di Natale which is too risky, and Pinzi which is replaced by Doubai).

Udinese clearly the best side in the first half, got two golden chances by Floro Flores and Fabbrini.
Fabbrini particularly played well in this match, possibly the best performance after the transfer this summer. He was strong, creative, dribbled well, and opened space for other players. However, his performance is dropped at the last 15 minutes or so.

Defenders worked well to keep Rennes' players away from shooting on target. They didn't give the opponent even a space to shot comfortably (except maybe in one occasion). Many good-looking cross throughout the match, but none of the can be exploited perfectly, possibly because of the defender well-timed clearance. One big error by Handanovic may be fatal, but luckily the opponent's striker wasted it.

Throughout the match, Udinese midfielders control the ball well. They pass it around and creating chances for Fabbrini and Floro Flores. Unfortunately the finish wasn't there.