Football Season Guide

It was quite predictable that life without Guidolin would have been difficult for Udinese but the last two campaigns have been more than that for the Zebras. In fact, they have been disastrous. After managing a quiet safety with Stramaccioni at the helm, last season with Colantuono and then, once the former Atalanta gaffer was sacked, De Canio, they only reached safety at the very last moment, holding just 1 point above the relegation zone. Truth be said, they did not just have a problem at a coaching level. In fact, the management had stopped finding new talents all over the world as they used to do in the past, ending up signing experienced but listless players. Something started to change over the current summer. First of all, Giuseppe Iachini was charged with the team. The supporters were far from excited but the former Palermo coach is gaining their approval as he is trying to give the team a soul they lacked last season. Several old heroes were let go. Among them, the never-ending captain Di Natale, who was somehow mis-treated during the past campaign. Life without Di Natale will never be easy but Udinese need to start living it now. More players who failed to leave a deep mark also left, for instance Guilherme, Kuzmanovic or Marquinho, and more are expected to follow suit in the next days. On the other hand, several promising players arrived and at least two or three of them are expected to shine. This is certainly the case of Fofana, arriving from the Citizens, De Paul, from Valencia, and the 19-year-old Penaranda, who caused some sensation with Granada last season. And Baljic, who had joined Udinese during the past winter transfer campaign, could also become a protagonist of the midfield in the long run. Iachini seems likely to confirm a 3-5-2 formation. Karnezis should still save the goal while Angella, returning from a positive stint at Watford, should join Danilo and Felipe in the back three. Widmer and Edenilson, provided they are not let go in the next hours, will be contending with Ali Adnan and Armero for the flanks of the midfield while Fofana, De Paul and Badu should be acting in the middle of the park. Thereau and Zapata could be the starters up-front but, if the former quits, Penaranda and Harbaoui could also be given relevant playing time. The management are still looking for a central midfielder as Lodi is not considered reliable enough after the recent past performances.