i

Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I know it’s *just* UEFA and not the Champions League.  That doesn’t matter now. As it turns out, this is what’s left – UDINESE are what’s left, and that alone makes this UEFA match the most important thing going on for calcio at the moment.  That said, let’s all fall in line behind the Zebrette and wish them luck as they visit Zenit. (Unfortunately, I have a grad school assignment due on Friday, so I don’t have time for a full post, but Marco has a nice recap of the first leg, while the actual UEFA site has a preview.)

Forza Udinese!

Um… yeah.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, after the jump you will see Di Natale doing what can best be described as Neapolitan Riverdance.  I sh*t you not.

Shenanigans occur at about 2:12.   Be forewarned – you may never look Toto the same after viewing this :

For the record, Channel 4 Italia described that celebration with one word: “terrible.”

Thankfully, our ragazzi got all of that frolicking and dancing out of their respective systems quickly enough to grab three points against Lecce.  Speaking of Lecce, watching these highlights, I was debating with myself as to who their squad was replaced with: a second-rate EPL squad, or the Aussie rugby team.

Udinese 2 – 0 Lecce

Now, it’s on to Olimpico, and let me just tell you – I’m not looking forward to it.  If my striker rotation prediction holds true (I’m 3 for 3 at the moment), the Giallorossi will be faced with Fabio Quagliarella and this guy, but I honestly don’t think they’ll be enough to stop Roma at Olimpico.  On the upshot, maybe they’ll *all* join hands and gallop together after the match. Or not.

Necessary?

Not this time.

But that’s why this one was so friggin’ good.

I’m calling it official: slump / crisis / complacent period = over.  Granted, I was pretty certain it was over going into this match, but today just sealed the deal.  See… when a match is was effectively tied up and your team’s through on aggregate, you could just pay it safe and/or lazy (depending on how you look at it) and protect your away-goal advantage… or at least… that’s what a less motivated, frightened, or super-conservative squad would do, and that’s what Udinese would have done just a few short weeks ago.

Not anymore. Now, even when they’ve just got seconds left and they’re already virtually through on aggregate, they fight for the ball at midfield, send it to Mr. Christmas himself as he blazes down the middle because he’s actually trying, and he’ll slice it in from 19 yards. That is what motivated, confident squads do; indeed, that’s what Udinese did.  *Link to goals after the break*

Watch the goals here.  The Channel 4 recap is here (in Her Majesty’s English).  Here’s La Gazzetta’s recap (in Italian).

(By the way, please excuse the French commentary on those goal vids; UEFA did their “pull everything video on Earth down” thing again, so there wasn’t much of a choice. )

[Brief Segue] OK. Did you watch the vids?  What was with Toto’s photographer role-play at the end there? And more importantly, with what body part did Pepe shoot? I’m undecided, but I’m thinking knee, Street Fighter II style. [/Brief Segue]

So, where does this leave Udinese?  It leaves them staring down the barrel of a date with Lecce (quite honestly the least of the Zebrette’s worries at the moment), followed by a visit to the capital (ugh) on the 8th, and then that which they’ve earned today: Zenit St. Petersberg on the 12th.

In short, it’s going to be pretty rough, but at least the squad’s in the right place mentally.

I’ll also add that the rotation’s working like a charm, AND I’m two for two on the starter “predictions” that I made last week.  If my rampant speculation remains accurate, we’ll see Pepe and Sanchez and/or Floro Flores against Lecce, so look for that.  Also check back here, because my next post will contain a Zebrette photo that rivals this one.  Yeah, seriously.

(And check it out quickly, because you KNOW UEFA’s going to pull down these videos quicker than Catania pulls down shorts.)

Anyway, at least this was the away round, right?  While I am not happy about the fact that Udinese allowed the home team to draw level minutes from the end of the match, I am satisfied with a draw, given the environment. (By the way, The video above is Udinese’s first goal, and Lech Poznan’s two goals appear below. Udinese’s second goal, which happened five minutes after the Quags’ goal posted above, was technically an Arboldea own-goal, but Pasquale apparently got a foot on it.  Unfortunately, a Poznan supporter must’ve posted these vids, as they conveniently forgot to post the own-goal.  Sorry about that.  If anybody finds it, feel free to post it in the comments.)

COMPLETE DOWNER WARNING: Watch these only if you desperately desire more depression in your life:

[Blatant Sarcasm]Great, right?[/Blatant Sarcasm] At least the Zebrette host Lech Poznan on the 26th of this month.

Oh wait… Udinese plays at Friuli, the stadium without tifosi.  Forgive me for being less than amused.

Speaking of things that leave me less than amused, have you looked at the rest of Udinese’s upcoming schedule?  Here’s how it goes:

*Two Days Rest Since Today’s Match*

Sunday, February 22,  Torino – Udinese

*Four Days Rest*

Thursday, February 26,  Udinese – Lech Poznan

*Two Days Rest* (That’s right. February is short.)

Sunday, March 1,  Udinese – Lecce

*Five Days Rest*

Saturday, March 7,  Roma – Udinese

That doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence, particularly the parts where the ragazzi will get very little rest, but this is where the Marino rotation (which we really need a nickname for) comes into play.  Speaking of which, in trying to find a method to the madness here, I’ll try my hand at guessing who we’ll see next, and you can tell me what you think:

• Di Natale and Pepe to get minutes against Torino.
• Di Natale starting against Lech Poznan in the next round. Quagliarella may get some time against Lech as well, though possibly just a few minutes.
• Pepe and Sanchez and/or Floro Flores against Lecce.
• Di Natale and Quags both to get time against Roma, barring injuries or suspensions, as a siege on Rome warrants some serious artillery.

Oh – one last thing: For those who read the Channel 4 recap, did you notice the mention of the 4-2-2?  I am not sure what to make of it, having only seen highlights, but did Udinese actually play said formation, or did we just see a variant of Marino’s 4-3-3?   It is not uncommon for Marino to play  (in what people call a 4-3-3 for some reason) two forward strikers with one attacking mid, either hanging behind in rotation with the strikers, or coming from a wing.  At first glance, I interpreted Channel 4’s mention of a 4-2-2 as a misnomer for Marino’s modified 4-3-3, but having looked at the list of starters, I see only two strikers.  Did Marino actually (Gasp!) switch it up?

Napoli 2 – 2 Udinese

Lavezzi 24 (N), Hamsik 27 (N), Di Natale pen 32 (U), Quagliarella 45 (U)

First off, yes, I found videos of *just* the goal, but the commentary wasn’t in Italian on those, so I’m not posting any of them.  Instead, I posted the video above, which shows the full match highlights, but with Italian commentary (because everything sounds better in Italian).  Just advance it to the 1 min., 25 sec. mark to see the strike that everyone’s talking about.  I’ve read that the crowd at San Paolo actually applauded the goal, which is impressive (and speaks well of Napoli tifosi)… although half of it was probably because Quags is from the Napoli area.   Regadless, that’s some Jedi sh!t from Quagliarella.  The force is strong with this one.

I realize that Udinese didn’t win, but wasn’t it great to see that they fought back?  The fact that they didn’t just roll over shows that they’ve rediscovered some of their determination following the win against Juventus.

Now… the real test comes next week, as Bologna visit Friuli.  If you’re wondering why I’m calling Bologna “the real test,” consider the fact that Udinese recently came up big against a great squad, and fought back to draw a very good one.  Bologna however, present an enirely different type of challenge – one where complacency is the true opponent.  And let me tell you something – in calcio, I’ll face off against Inter/Juve/Roma/Milan over complacency any day.

Forza Udinese!

-

Udinese 2 – 1 Juventus

Today, pure awesomeness returned to Friuli.  Let’s hope it friggin’ sticks around this time.

I didn’t see the match (due to work), but based on the little I was able to see in the highlights and read in the recaps, this was a pretty strong showing from Udinese.  It was a bit ironic too, as the Zebrette dropped a match to Juve back when they were kicking arse and taking names against all odds, and now… now in the midst of a crisis at Friuli and Juventus near the top… it was Udinese’s turn.  I love it.

Quagliarella loved it too, apparently; I don’t think I’ve ever seen him that excited. I mean… damn.  Di Natale looked happy too, albeit not over-the-top like Quags, though we could’ve forgiven Di Natale for freaking out himself after that beauty of a strike. Oh… and what the hell was Ibrahimovic doing reffereeing this match?

Channel 4’s Recap

Raineri’s VERY Gracious Words

La Gazzetta’s Recap w/ Photo of Quags Freaking Near the Flag

Goal.com’s Big Quags Photo

Udinese.it’s Even Bigger, Unnecessarily Large Team Photo

]]> http://udinese.theoffside.com/team-news/its-about-time.html/feed 10 http://udinese.theoffside.com/team-news/it-started-with-inter.html http://udinese.theoffside.com/team-news/it-started-with-inter.html#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:09:36 +0000 vin http://udinese.theoffside.com/team-news/it-started-with-inter.html -

If you tried to determine when the Zebrette crisis began – when they descended into the Davy Jones’ Locker of calcio – you have to go way back to Sunday, November 9th.  That match marks the first loss of their current slide.

Since that day, it’s been a mess: seven losses, two draws, zero wins.

So, what’s the deal?  Why the crisis?  In my opinion, it has nothing to do with the coach, his selection of players, or their level of fitness.  This is about momentum (or in Udinese’s case, a complete lack thereof), and expectations.  Allow me to explain:

In the beginning of the campaign, you might recall that Udinese did well to manage their expectations. Remember Quagliarella’s words?

“In the locker room the word ‘Scudetto’ is banned, not to be pronounced even in jest. Whoever does say it will get a slap.”

That statement is indicative of the team’s attitude back when they were… well… winning.  Marino’s no rookie; he knew what would happen if the team started to anticipate wins and expect top-of-the-table glory, so he banned that type of thinking.  And the result?  You saw it: a talented squad, playing as a team, and having fun on the pitch, and subsequently winning.

Then, Udinese played Inter.  There were two problems with this match: 1) Inter are a talented squad. Yes, that’s obvious.  But consider the fact that until then, Udinese had played only two matches against top-tier squads, and one of the squads (Roma) was going through a rough patch of its own.  2) People actually expected Udinese to give Inter trouble, and somehow, the memo got to the squad; that “the word ’scudetto’ is banned” Zebrette humility had been corrupted.

In the matches following Udinese’s disappointing loss to Inter, pressure to end the losing streak set in, leading to disappointment after disappointment; you could see in the way Udinese have been playing that the light-heartedness has left their brand of calcio.  It’s as though they’re trying to get by on technique and strategy alone, with that extra team ingredient missing.

So, where does that leave Udinese?  What do they need to get back on track?  Simply put, they need what they haven’t had since before Inter: they need a match against a top-tier opponent in which Udinese are the underdog. (OK. They’ve had one such match since Inter.  It was against Milan, but it was immediately before the break, and I’m not sure that a win there would’ve done much good anyway, as the transfer period surely would’ve sapped the team’s momentum. Plus, Milan had just been spanked, which means that they had the momentum advantage.)

A big match, in which people don’t even consider the Zebrette as having a chance, is just what the doctor ordered; it will allow the ragazzi to give their best without pressure - without expectations.  Moreover, if it goes well, it will reintroduce the team to winning and enjoying themselves on the pitch, while simultaneously giving them a little forward momentum.

How fortuitous is it then, that our Zebrette have Juventus up next?

You’re not going to read this anywhere else (and that’s a good thing, because the quieter the better), but Juventus should be concerned, because the Zebrette have nothing to lose.

Forza Udinese!

I don’t like it. Not one bit.

If this man is hired, don’t stand near the gates at Friuli… unless of course you’d like to be trampled as every good player on the Zebrette roster runs for the hills.

-

Let’s start off with a quick round-up of the the transfer rumors involving Zebrette, shall we?

• Floro Flores has been linked with Napoli in the past, but he insists that he’s happy with Udinese.
• There haven’t been any concrete offers for Handanovic, so it looks like he’s sticking around… for the time being, at least.
• D’Agostino says he’s staying put.  Juventus want him though, or so it’s said.
• Then again, Juventus are also rumored to want Inler and Zapata too. <Look Juve… just because your shirts are black and white too doesn’t mean you can just raid our closet at will, OK?  That is, unless you want to give up say… Giovinco.  Or Chiellini.  Or Legrottaglie.  Not interested?  Didn’t think so.>
• Seriously though, Juve and Udinese have allegedly had *actual talks.*
• Anyway, if Juventus want Inler, they might have to duke it out with Arsenal, it seems, and I’m seeing (from totally unreliable sources, mind you), figures in the £8-10 million range being tossed about.
• Di Natale is staying until June, at least.  Then he’s going to Roma, or wherever Spalletti happens to be coaching next year, assuming he and Ancelotti finally make out swap places.  OK. That part about Roma is just conjecture, but seriously… if Spalletti’s still there, fuhgeddaboutit. Toto con Totti.
• Marino’s job is safe, says Pozzo.
• Sanchez says he wants ManYoo.  I say keep wishing, Alexis.
• Last but not least, our only INCOMING *shock!* transfer rumor says that Udinese are moving toward a co-ownership deal (with Inter Milan of all teams) for Jonathan Biabiany, a 20 year-old attacking midfielder or striker (depending on what you read) who’s currently out on loan with Modena.  Call me underwhelmed.

Train wreck, right?  And now, for my completely well-informed hunch-based analysis:

Let’s start with the rumor that worries me the most: Inler.  Honestly, if I had to pick one item from the above linkfest to be true, it would be Inler to Arsenal.  Look – the guy’s not Italian, which means that for all intents and purposes has no familial link to the peninsula.  The dude’s from Switzerland.  Has chocolate, will travel.  Plus, this rumor has been one persistent sone of a b!tch, and the fact that numbers are actually being thrown around is unsettling.

The second most concern-worthy rumor on my list isn’t actually even a rumor… and that’s exactly what bothers me.  Specifically, does anybody else think it’s weird that the word Quagliarella hasn’t come up at all in mercato talk?  It’s not like he’s having a bad season.  As the expression goes, it’s always the quiet ones…

*EDIT* A day after I wrote this post, Quags is linked with Roma for “next season,” though Roma are denying it.

Next up is D’Agostino.  Juve are completely hot and bothered for this guy, and it freaks me out. (Don’t tell Juve this, but D’Agostino IS awesome, and they are rightfully enamored.) The pre-Christmas talk thing does not make me happy, and if I had to guess I’d say that D’Agostino – *not* Inler – was the main topic of discussion.  OK, maybe Zapata was talked about too, but do we care?  I mean… Zapata hasn’t played since Band Aid.  D’Agostino however, is ABOUT AS VITAL AS IT GETS when it comes to Udinese’s midfield.  Actually, I’d even value him a hair higher than Inler.  That said, if Udinese are set to lose D’Agostino to The Old Lady, that little granny HAD BETTER EMPTY HER DAMN MATTRESS.

Last on my radar-of-concern (but still on there) are Marino, Di Natale, and Handanovic.  While I don’t expect any to bolt from Friuli during this window (knock on wood), I wouldn’t be surprised if Udinese lost at least two of the three in the summer.  Pozzo vouched for Marino, but it sounded like he’s only guaranteed through the end of this campaign.  Meanwhile, Di Natale is well… Di Natale and there’s definitely been interest in the guy for the last couple of years; I don’t expect that such interest would dry up instantly, nor do I expect that a garbage run like Udinese are having would give Toto the warm ‘n’ fuzzies about Friuli.  That said, he’s publicly stated that he wants to help Udinese out of this mess, and I think that’ll take until June at least.  Now, as for Handanovic, the fact that the only evidence his agent can muster to back the ‘he’s staying put’ argument is that they haven’t had any concrete offers… well… that doesn’t exactly bode well.  It’s a shame, too.  Handanovic is a good starter for Udinese, but I think he’d be wasted as a backup on say… Milan, Roma, Inter or Juve.

That’s all for now.  All that’s left is to see what happens; I’ll be watching out for really noteworthy stuff (i.e. not just rumors).

• Udinese haven’t won in Serie A since October 29th. (That was a 2-goal away win at Catania, in case you’re wondering.)
• Their most recent win (counting UEFA) was against Dinamo Zagreb on December 3rd.
• In more contemporary (post-Dinamo) history, Udinese were destroyed 3-0 by Atalanta on December 7th, and a week later, they threw away a 3-goal lead during Lazio’s visit, which ended at a draw. Most recently, the Zebrette were shut out at NEC.

So, where does that leave us?  Well… you might not want to know.

Udinese (6-6-4) sit at 11th place (before the Dec. 21st matches), and are staring down the barrel of a visit to Giuseppe Meazza where the Rossoneri wait, plenty pissed off following their defeat at the hands of Juventus.  After that, it’s the winter break, with the next match on January 11th against crazy Cassano’s Sampdoria.

Now… first off, it’s probably good that Udinese have to face Milan (rather than say… Lecce or Chievo) during this rough patch, mainly because the Zebrette traditionally play better against bigger squads. Of course, that’s when Udinese are playing *like Udinese,* and right now they’re not.  Moreover, even IF (and this is a gigantic “if”) Udinese come up big against the Rossoneri, any momentum gained might be for naught, as the next match after Milan isn’t until after the break.

So the situation isn’t good *at all,* but how the hell did our Zebrette get here to begin with?  I mean… things were going so well, right?

I’ll tell you what’s *not* the problem: Marino, and/or his choice of players.  This team has won with just about every striker combination, and they’ve lost with just about every striker combination, so I don’t see an issue there… and I don’t think that the 4-3-3 (in and of itself) is at fault either.  Marino may opt for the 4-3-3 on a weekly basis, but *will* drop a forward back where warranted, and sometimes on-the-fly.  So while on paper, Marino’s sticking with the same-old, same-old, he’s effectively switching it to a temporary 4-4-2, or 4-3-1-2 as appropriate.  Anyway, my point is, we can’t blame the coach for tactical stagnation.

Instead, I think that the problem lies within the team’s mental state.  Yeah, I know; it almost sounds cliche to talk about mentality at this point, but it’s true.  Seriously, look at the Lazio match.  Three goals up, and then what?  A *big* lead was squandered, and Marino’s words tell the tale:

“When we conceded the goal for 3-1, we became gripped by fear . Lazio saw that and took advantage. We sat increasingly deep, relaxed and in the end were caught. We wanted the victory, but had convinced ourselves that we had already won.”

Look, this is a team that wasn’t used to winning at the rate that we saw early in the campaign, and it was inevitable that they’d drop a match here and there.  WE knew that.  WE realized that we were watching Udinese, *not* Inter or Juve, and WE knew enough to hope for, but not *expect* the best outcome every week.  However, from the looks of it, despite the fact that the word “Scudetto” was banned in the locker room, the team started to expect wins, and when the wins stopped coming, the Zebrette, as a team, got scared.

So, at this point, playing a squad that nobody expects them to beat (looking at Milan here) might be just what the doctor ordered.  Why? Because they won’t be *expecting* the win, and subsequently, nor will they be “gripped by fear” if things take a turn for the worse.  This team needs to return to its underdog, dark horse culture… the same culture that (as I alluded to earlier) made Udinese such a pain in the ass for those bigger squads to play.

As crazy as it sounds, winning a lot ruined Udinese, and losing might just be what fixes them.  Of course, if half the squad is sold during the transfer window… <shudder> I don’t even want to think about that. I haven’t heard many rumors, and I hope it stays that way.