Serie A Preview: Udinese - Lecce

Udinese and Lecce both desperately need points when the two meet in the north on Sunday...


Kick-Off: Sunday, March 1, 15:00 CET. Stadio Friuli, Udine

Matching European & Domestic Form

Udinese remained the last Italian side in the UEFA Cup when Thursday evening arrived. Their 2-1 victory over Polish side, Lech Poznan left them flying the flag for the whole country, and they will want to translate some of that confidence into Serie A points.
In the league however, the Zebrette have not been able to recapture last year’s form. They currently lie outside the top ten in Serie A, and European football next season looks a long way away, unless they go the full distance and triumph in this term's UEFA Cup.
They have not won in the league since Febuary 8, when they secured a home victory against Bologna. Since then, there was the draw against Siena, and the shocking loss to Torino in the last round. It seems teams have gotten used to coach, Pasquale Marino impressive front three.

Falling Down

Lecce have now lost three in a row, and their league position is beginning to reflect their bad form.
Their last points in the league, came on February 1, when they won away to Siena. Everything looked rosy then, but how quickly things have changed.
With Torino beating the southerners' opponents, Udinese, in the last round, Il Toro condemned Lecce to the relegation zone. Today’s visitors are only a point behind however, and there is no need for Mario Beretta or his men to panic yet.
But it is a case of clear and present danger, and if they are to get out of this hole, they better start working... and fast.
Lecce have been unlucky in recent games, though. Against Cagliari, only the woodwork denied them an equaliser before the Sardinians got their second goal.
And although they were outplayed by Lazio over the course of their last match, things could have been so different, and the Biancocelesti really had the post to thank.
If they are to stay in Italy’s top division, Beretta’s team will have to somehow change their luck.

FORM GUIDE

Udinese

08/02 (Serie A): Udinese 1-0 Bologna
15/02 (Serie A): Siena 1-1 Udinese
19/02 (Serie A): Lech Poznan 2-2 Udinese
22/02 (Serie A): Torino 1-0 Udinese
26/02 (Serie A): Udinese 2–1 Lech Poznan

Lecce

28/01 (Serie A): Chievo 1-1 Lecce
01/02 (Serie A): Siena 1-2 Lecce
07/02 (Serie A): Lecce 0-3 Inter
15/02 (Serie A): Cagliari 2-0 Lecce
22/02 (Serie A): Lecce 0-2 Lazio

TEAM NEWS

Udinese

It is always easier to get over fatigue when you have won, and that will surely be the case here.
The 4-3-3 formation is one they use to good effect, and unless anyone feels drained, the team should be similar to the one that played on Thursday. The only exception should be the inclusion of Dias Felipe in central defence to replace Maurizio Domizzi, who has to serve a two-match ban following his sending off at the end of the Torino game for protesting too vehemently when his side was denied a penalty.
Possible Formation (4-3-3): Belardi – Zapata, Coda, Felipe, Pasquale – Inler, D'Agostino, Isla – Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale

Lecce

It looks like Beretta will make a handful of changes, including a formation switch to a 3-5-2 system for this match, with Andrea Esposito as third central defender beside Guglielmo Stendardo and Brazilian, Fabiano.
In midfield, another Samba-man, Angelo, could come in for Guillermo Giacomazzi, who seems to have picked up a knock. In attack, Daniele Cacia, looks like he will not make this clash, leaving Jose Castillo to slot back in up front to partner Simone Tiribocchi.
Possible Formation (3-5-2): Benussi – Stendardo, Fabiano, Esposito – Angelo, Munari, Edinho, Caserta, Ariatti – Castillo, Tiribocchi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Udinese

Two of the home side’s three strikers were on target in midweek. While Antonio Di Natale and Simone Pepe got the goals, it was Kwadwo Asamoah who stood out, but whether or not he did well enough to earn a starting spot in this one remains to be seen.
Young midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino also had a good game, and he is fast becoming the player who creates chances and inspires the side.

Lecce

Their two best players at present are at opposite ends of the pitch. Despite the string of bad results, goalkeeper Francesco Benussi has been doing superbly well.
At the other end, forward Simone Tiribocchi has been coming close to earning vital points for his team, game after game, but maybe this time he will manage something significant.

PREDICTION

The home side have been very shaky in the league recently, but with Lecce’s situation getting ever more dangerous, the Udine outfit could get a decent result, although this one should end in a draw.

Udinese 1-1 Lecce

Simone Finaldi, Goal.com