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Udinese's Antonio Di Natale: We will treat Europa League match against Celtic like a final
The 34-year-old forward has talked of the importance of Thursday's fixture and how he does not expect to go to next summer's Euros in Poland and Ukraine with Italy
15 Dec 2011 07:32:00
By Luke Matthews
Getty Images
Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale has urged his team-mates to treat Thursday's Europa League encounter against Celtic like a final.
The Italian side have rotated their squad in Europe this season yet currently sit in second place and know a draw against the Scottish club will be enough to qualify for the competition's round of 32.
Di Natale is unsure whether he will be chosen to lead the line against Neil Lennon's men but he is adamant that Udinese need to remain 100 per cent focused on earning the point they need.
"It will be an important game for us, like a final. We will play to the best of our abilities to get through this round," the 34-year-old told reporters in a pre-match press conference.
"As to whether I will play, that is the decision of the coach. We will give everything we've got as we are gambling with the sacrifices we made last season to earn our place in Europe.
"It's a difficult game and Celtic have many players with international experience. The best team will win, which hopefully is us."
Di Natale has been top scorer in Serie A for the past two years running and despite being in fine form again, the veteran has already accepted he may not make Italy's Euro 2012 squad.
"It's because I'm old, the national squad need young blood and Cesare Prandelli is continuing with his group. I want to do well with Udinese, then anything after that is a bonus. It would be an honour to take part in Euro 2012 though," he added.
When the two sides met at Celtic Park in September, Almen Abdi's late equaliser earned the Italians a 1-1 draw.
| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £120.00 | Draw £12.00 | Celtic £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £150.00 | Draw £14.00 | Celtic £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £50.00 | Draw £37.50 | Celtic £16.70 |
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The Italian side have rotated their squad in Europe this season yet currently sit in second place and know a draw against the Scottish club will be enough to qualify for the competition's round of 32.
Di Natale is unsure whether he will be chosen to lead the line against Neil Lennon's men but he is adamant that Udinese need to remain 100 per cent focused on earning the point they need.
"It will be an important game for us, like a final. We will play to the best of our abilities to get through this round," the 34-year-old told reporters in a pre-match press conference.
"As to whether I will play, that is the decision of the coach. We will give everything we've got as we are gambling with the sacrifices we made last season to earn our place in Europe.
"It's a difficult game and Celtic have many players with international experience. The best team will win, which hopefully is us."
Di Natale has been top scorer in Serie A for the past two years running and despite being in fine form again, the veteran has already accepted he may not make Italy's Euro 2012 squad.
"It's because I'm old, the national squad need young blood and Cesare Prandelli is continuing with his group. I want to do well with Udinese, then anything after that is a bonus. It would be an honour to take part in Euro 2012 though," he added.
When the two sides met at Celtic Park in September, Almen Abdi's late equaliser earned the Italians a 1-1 draw.
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