Antonio Di Natale has been in top form
The Bianconeri are yet to lose since the winter break. Their 2-0 win over Catania marked their 10th win in thirteen matches. They've ascended to fourth in the table after spending the early season at the very bottom.
Much of this has to do with their attack led by the evergreen Antonio De Natale, at 33 years old topping the Serie scoring table with 24 goals and still going strong. He was on target scoring today from a penalty. Alexis Sanchez, so impressive in the 2010 World Cup has chipped in with 12 goals. With these two in tandem, Udinese tie with Inter in number of goals scored.
Sanchez's countryman, Mauricio Isla is the chief playmaker while Gokhan Inler is charged with organizing the resistance. Samir Handanovic, a World Cup standout with his shot stopping manages some heavy lifting for a leaky defense that has tightened up considerably. Either way Francesco Guidolin, the manager is not complaining.
At this point, Udinese are just six points off Milan on top of the table. They have upcoming fixtures against Roma, Napoli, Fiorentina, Lazio, with a season concluding match against Milan at home. Not easy but there is cause for optimism when we cast back on their recent run.
After a deflating Zlatan Ibrahimovic last minute equalizer salvaged Milan a 4-4 draw on January 9th, the Bianconeri refused to back down responding with wins over Genoa, Inter, Juventus, and Sampdoria. A 7-0 thrashing of Palermo, last season's fifth placed team was the icing on the cake.
We are talking of Milan and Inter in a dogfight but there might be a surprising Serie winner for the first time from the northern cold of Friuli.
Good memory, Bossman! Would love to see a different winner other than the usual suspects.
I recall you writing this post 4 years ago. Prescient.
http://www.soccerblog.com/2007/01/udinese_is_a_future_powerhouse.htm