UEFA Cup Preview: Udinese - Dinamo Zagreb

Udinese Look To Maintain European Form  

To say that Pasquale Marino’s men are struggling quite badly in the domestic league at the moment would be an understatement. They have dropped four straight matches including losses to lowly Reggina and Chievo Verona during that span.  

The Bianconeri have spiraled from the top of the table all the way down into ninth place in less than a month. It’s not all doom and gloom for the club though as their European form has been sparkling and need only one point to qualify for the next round.  

A victory in the Uefa cup and subsequent progression to the knockout stages just might be what the squad needs to break out of their domestic funk which has left Marino disappointed and distraught.  

“We’re not going through a good period, and in this game we were influenced by the fact that we had to obtain a positive result at all costs,” explained the coach. “Unfortunately lately things are not going well. We must regain our tranquillity.”  

They have that chance on Wednesday as they welcome Dinamo Zagreb to the Stadio Fruili. Marino has called up nineteen players for this fixture and is expected to field a strong side as they try to secure qualification.  

Last Chance For Zagreb  

Marijan Vlak’s men sit at the top of the table in the domestic league, one point ahead of their bitter rivals, Hajduk Split. Vlak took over the reigns at Zagreb after Branko Ivankovic walked away on the eve of the club’s Uefa Cup encounter with Spartak Moscow.  

Zagreb went on to lose that crucial encounter and desperately need a victory in Italy to keep their ultra slim chances of progressing to the next stage alive. It won’t be easy for the defending Croatian league champions as they have failed to pick up a win in Italy in eight previous tries.  

Their timing to break that streak could not be better though as they travel to Udine to face a reeling Udinese side that are winless in their last five domestic matches. Still Vlak will need an optimum performance from his squad to take all three points on Wednesday afternoon.  

FORM GUIDE  

Udinese  

November 30 vs Chievo Verona (H) LOST 1-0  

November 22 vs Fiorentina (A) LOST 4-2  

November 16 vs Reggina (H) LOST 1-0  

November 09 vs Inter Milan (A) LOST 1-0  

November 06 vs Spartak Moscow (A) WON 2-1  

Dinamo Zagreb 

November 30 vs Varteks Vara (A) WON 1-0  

November 27 vs Spartak Moscow (H) LOST 1-0  

November 23 vs Zadar (H) WON 2-0  

November 19 vs Rijeka (A) LOST 1-0  

November 16 vs Cibalia Vinkovci (A) 1-1  

TEAM NEWS  

Udinese  

Marino will be without the services of Giovanni Pasquale who picked up a red card in the match against Spartak Moscow. Christian Zapata and Mauricio Isla will also miss out due to injury.  

Probable Starting XI: Handanovic- Motta, Coda, Lukovic, Felipe- Inler, Obodo, D’Agostino, Floro Flores, Quagliarella, Sanchez  

Dinamo Zagreb  

One more yellow card for both Marijo Mandžukić and Ivica Vrdoljak will ensure they miss their next UEFA competition game  

Probable Starting XI: Butina- Lovren, Drpic, Biscan, Hrgovic- Vrdoljak, Ibanez, Mikic, Balaban- Badelj, Mandzukic  

PLAYERS TO WATCH  

Alexis Sanchez (Udinese )  

The Chilean starlet has been impressive this year and has shown why he is such a highly touted prospect. “El Nino Maravilla” has become a fan favourite at the Stadio Friuli and has chipped in with a couple goals in the process. He has a bright future ahead of him and would like to open his Uefa Cup account on Wednesday afternoon.  

Igor Biscan (Dinamo Zagreb)  

The former Liverpool man will have his hands full with Udinese’s attacking triumvirate and will need an optimum performance to keep them off the score-sheet. Will need to use his European pedigree to be a calming presence on the field as Zagreb look for a big victory on Wednesday.  

PREDICTION  

Udinese punch their ticket into the Round of 32 with a slim victory over the Croatian visitors.  

Udinese 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb 

Max De Luca