Udinese Reach Champions League Football for Next Season

While the Serie A has lost its next season fourth Champions League spot to the German Bundesliga, next season will be the last one in which we'll have the chance to see four Italian teams in Europe's top competition. Udinese have made it to the Serie A's fourth Champions League spot, just edging ahead of Lazio thanks to a superior goal difference.

Udinese's season has been a fantastic one thanks to their attacking style of play brought by their coach Francesco Guidolin. The tactician imprinted an expansive style of "pass and move" which earned Udinese the nickname piccolo-Barca, which translates to "little Barca". And just like how Barcelona have Leo Messi, Udinese have their own magical goalscorer, Antonio Di Natale. The 33 year-old captain of Udinese scored 28 goals in the Serie A for Udinese, earning the top goalscorer award in Italy for the second season running.

Udinese coach Guidolin embracing Di Natale

Every hero has a sidekick, and Di Natale's is the Chilean, Alexis Sanchez. With 12 goals in the Serie A this season, Sanchez has terrorized defences with his speed and dribbling. His creativity and versatility allowed Guidolin to pair him with Di Natale, forming an unparalleled attacking couple. Yet Sanchez will most likely be moving away from Udine in the summer, as his talent has caught the eye of Manchester City, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and many other top European clubs. 

What makes Sanchez special is the fact that he is a complete forward. He can be played on either wing of a 4-3-3, as a forward in a 4-4-2, or even as a trequartista or attacking midfielder in a formation like the 4-3-1-2. Not only can Sanchez dribble by just about any defender with his trickery and change of pace, but he also has great vision for picking out passes and creating assists. At just 22 years-old, Sanchez has plenty of time to develop, and can easily become a star of the modern game if used in the proper system.

While Udinese has been reliant on this duo for goals, what has helped Guidolin's fight to achieve Champions League football is the unity in the team. It's said that at the beginning of the season he invited every player, one by one, to his house for a hearty dinner, where he got to know each one and let them know of their importance in Udinese's Serie A campaign. This unity shines through in a team which really plays as an organism. The One-touch passing has cut through so many Serie A defences, and their tireless speed with which they attack has been a huge problem for many opponents. 

Alexis Sanchez will probably join a 'bigger' club next season

Of course, this unit has some very key parts which make it function properly. Armero has run players ragged on the flanks, and has attracted the interest of AC Milan which could make a move for him in the summer. Cristian Zapata has been a rock in Udinese's three-man defence, and could be a bargain for any sides looking for a strong and physical central defender. The mastermind in midfield for Udinese has been Gokhan Inler, his wide range of passing, and long range shooting has helped score and create goals. But maybe the true unsung hero for Udinese has been the goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic. The Slovenian keeper has been a wall, saving at least six penalties in the Serie A, and producing spectacular saves to keep Udinese's Champions League dream alive. 

Now Udinese will have to hold on to their many stars, including maybe even their coach. While Francesco Guidolin would surely love to take Udinese to the Champions League next season, if he is stripped of his best players and is left with little to work with, we could see him move to a different Serie A club next season. While this season has been a fantastic one full of great memories and brilliant playing by Udinese, an even better one is yet to come, where the loveable city of Udine can chase European glory.

Fearless Udinese Victorious Away At Napoli

Number 88 (Gokhan Inler) scored a spectacular goal but
did not celebrate... Why?

Udinese has had a truly fantastic season in the Serie A. While their start was terrible, losing their first four games in the league, they eventually figured out how to play a wonderful and winning way. While there are players which make the team shine, their success must be attributed to their coach Francesco Guidolin. He has been able to motivate Udinese to reach what were thought to be unreachable heights, fifth in the Serie A table. This weekend they were able to defeat second placed Napoli 2-1 at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples. While Guidolin couldn't call on the services of his two star players, Antonio Di Natale and Alexis Sanchez, his team was undaunted with the task of facing a powerful Napoli side.

For Napoli, this match was supposed to be the chance for them to win and then chase after table-leaders AC Milan. But Udinese had other plans. Napoli played their usual style, stretching the field well and constantly feeding the attacking trio of Hamsik, Lavezzi and Cavani. Udinese were tight and compact, not letting anything leak through the well-drilled 3-5-1-1 formation.

But Napoli weren't as dangerous as expected. Cavani was missing big chances, Lavezzi was unable to keep the ball at his feet, and Hamsik was spraying inaccurate passes without aim. The rest of the Napoli team wasn't clicking, therefore allowing Udinese to slowly take over the game. On the other hand, Udinese were playing as a team. The lack of the brilliant Sanchez, and Serie A's top goalscorer Di Natale was no problem for Udinese, as players like Armero, Benatia, and Inler stepped up and performed very well.

Denis apologizing to Napoli fans for scoring

In the second half, the San Paolo deflated when Inler scored a goal ten minutes in. It was a wonderful shot from about 25 meters, slightly deflected into the top right corner of Napoli's net. Strangely, Inler didn't celebrate at all, and the rumor that has been going around is that the Swiss scorer didn't celebrate because next season he'll be joining Napoli. After the goal, Udinese really began to press forward looking for a second goal.

It came in the 62st minute, when ex-Napoli player Denis controlled with his chest and volleyed to make it 2-0. While Denis looked ready to celebrate at first, he quickly went over to the crowd and apologized for scoring! Ridiculous if you ask me. If a player scores, he celebrates, no matter who he scores against. The goal wasn't the wake up call for this sleepy Napoli side, and Walter Mazzarri's side only began to press forward in the final minutes.

Mazzarri had put on Lucarelli and Mascara, making up a total of five forwards on the field for Napoli as they incompetently snooped around for a goal. In the 87th minute a golden opportunity came when Domizzi literally grabbed Lavezzi and threw him to the ground (along with a few punches) in some good old Italian defending. It resulted in Domizzi's expulsion and a penalty kick for Cavani to take. While Cavani's penalty was a low and accurate effort, Handanovic's massive frame parried with astounding grace. Napoli's perfect scoring opportunity was denied by Handanovic's brilliant save.

The humble Udinese coach Francesco
Guidolin (right) at the end of the match

Yet Napoli kept on pushing forward for a goal. It came when Cavani whiffed a volley in front of goal and his teammate Mascara smashed the ball into the back of the net himself. While the goal lifted the mood at the San Paolo, it didn't change the distribution of the three points which went to Udinese. Throughout the tense match there were a few too many scuffles between players, and a fight nearly broke out when Armero cheekily poked the ball from the penalty spot before Cavani was about to take the spot kick.

Because Napoli failed to win this match, AC Milan now have a six point lead at the top of the table with just five matches left in the Serie A season. While it looks doubtful that Napoli will manage to claw their way above AC Milan, what looks much more likely is Udinese's ascension into the top four. Francesco Guidolin's side is just a point behind fourth placed Lazio. The Serie A's battle for Champions League action could even see third placed Inter Milan kicked out of the top four if they don't start to improve results.