Serie A preview – Guidolin's Udinese will prosper

Udinese have been underachievers, this was especially seen last season, when the club only arrived in 15th place. While it could seem strange that I define them as underachievers, I know the talent in the team is incredible, especially going forward. Maybe they’ve never had the right coach, or maybe the team never gelled together all that well, but for some reason or another, Udinese have almost always disappointed their fans. While in the transfer market they haven’t been extremely active, the team already has a nucleus of top-class players. Di Natale up front, Zapata in the back, and especially Sanchez as a trequartista, who had a great World Cup with Chile. Now Guidolin will have to unify these players and make a team, like he did with Parma last season, taking them up to the midtable. And hopefully in charge at Udinese, Guidolin will find the right formula between the players, and then Udinese will prosper.

New signings

like I said before, Udinese haven’t been extremely active in the transfer market, while there are two known names, the rest are relatively uknown. Candreva returned from Juventus, where he was on loan, and he will play an important part in the midfield, especially helping out in attack. To give support up front, Udinese were able to buy Denis from Napoli, who wasn’t having a good time with his former club. But what may be more important to look at is who Udinese have sold, among which there’s Pepe and D’Agostino. The winger left for Juventus, and Gaetano D’Agostino went to Mihajlovic’s Fiorentina, two losses which could cost the club a little in solidity and speed.

What’s missing

Now that Udinese have signed Denis, the offensive area is settled, but the midfield and defense could use some reinforcing. It’s probably the defense which needs the most work, which is being built around the promising 23 year-old Zapata. A central defender and a full-back could be useful, but Udinese could still manage with what they have.

Formation

It seems very possible that Guidolin will play attacking football, especially with the talent he has up front, and most probably he’ll use a 4-3-1-2. Handanovic is in goal with a back-line of Ferronetti, Zapata, Domizzi, and Pasquale, which is probably not the most well-known defense, but it’ll do. In the midfield he’ll have Pinzi, Inler, and Candreva supporting Sanchez who will play as a trequartista, behind the attacking duo of Di Natale and Floro Flores. While this could eventually morph into a 4-3-3 with Sanchez on the right, Di Natale on the left, and Floro Flores in the middle, Guidolin will probably start with a 4-3-1-2 and move on from there.

There have been rumors about Di Natale leaving, but the forward recently commented about his possible move to Juventus and said this,

“I don’t know anything. I want to stay in Udine where I feel good and where I want to finish my career. I’ve been here seven years and I want to stay here, I don’t know anything about a transfer.”

Definitley some good news for Udinese fans who could’ve seen they’re star player move off to replace Diego, who will be moving to Wolfsburg sometime soon. So with the assurance that their top scorer will stay, Udinese will be able to play with more calm now that their captain can guide them. But a lot of what will happen this season also depends on Guidolin, and whether he’ll be able to get the best out of Di Natale. While he did wonders coaching Parma, things could turn out differently at Udinese, where the expectations will be to push up into the mid-table, and maybe into a Europa League spot. While some fans are negative about the new coach, I think that under Guidolin, Udinese will prosper.