[attach id=220236 size="large"]Francesco Guidolin – Udinese coach.[/attach]

Udinese started this current campaign in unspectacular fashion and elimination from the Champions League third qualifying round by Portugal’s Braga.

Even in Serie A, Francesco Guidolin’s side were off to a poor take-off as they conceded defeats to Fiorentina (1-2) and Juventus (1-4) in succession.

The north-easterners only collected their first point of the term on the third day as they surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead to share the spoils with Siena (2-2) in Tuscany.

Udinese beat Milan 2-1 in their next match but back-to-back 0-0 draws (against Torino and Genoa) and a 1-2 away defeat at the hands of Napoli meant the Zebrette were experiencing one of their worst starts ever to a new season.

Udinese badly needed a heavy dose of consistency in their game and two wins in a row – against Pescara (1-0) and Roma (3-2) – indicated signs of a revival but their hopes were soon dashed as four successive draws – vs Catania (2-2), Bologna (1-1), Chievo (2-2) and Parma (2-2) – and a 0-3 defeat away to Lazio brought the side down to earth.

But Udinese found strength to bounce back with a comprehensive 4-1 home win over Cagliari and, on Monday night, two first-half goals were enough for them to beat Sampdoria away for the first time since May 2004 (3-1).

Despite the stuttering form, Udinese still managed 22 points from 16 games. They’re floating in a safe mid-table position at the moment.

Monday’s win in Genoa was only their second away success of the term – the first since beating Roma on matchday nine.

The beginning of December coincided with Udinese’s ascendency in the Serie A.

This surge came at a time when the Friuli team were ousted from the Europa League after finishing bottom in a group that also comprised Liverpool, Anzhi and Young Boys.

Udinese are not equipped enough to survive the double challenge of the Serie A and the Europa League.

So, one expects Guidolin’s team to go from strength to strength now that they are able to concentrate most of their efforts on Serie A commitments.

Unlike the previous two years, Udinese do not have enough quality within their ranks to vie for a top-three finish.

Moreover, there are teams like Lazio, Roma, Milan and Fiorentina who seem to carry heavier guns and in a better position to make a strong quest for berths in UEFA club competitions.

Perhaps, Udinese stand a better chance to play in Europe next year by making inroads in the Coppa Italia which they’ve never won before. However, it will not be easy for them as next week they play Fiorentina in a last-16 clash at the Friuli stadium.

In recent years, Udinese’s task has always been to do well in the Serie A while launching the career of relatively unknown players, mostly foreign imports.

Udinese have a scouting network across the globe which is second to none.

This has enabled the club owned by the Pozzo family to make huge profits on the sale of players purchased at basement prices.

In the space of a few years, Udinese succeed in moulding their promising talent into quality players and sold them to some of the richest clubs across the continent.

This season will be no exception and if Udinese stay consistent and continue to show progress until next May, they will be in a better position to showcase their talent and draw the attention of those clubs ready to splash big money on the transfer market.

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