Football Season Guide

The past decade was forgettable for Udinese,who often had to fight for salvation while never making the top 10 again as inthe previous campaigns. However, last season they showed some signs of improvement as they lost only 2 of the initial 14 games, while pulling some bright wins. Then, with the beginning of the 2023, injuries all over the squad made wins harder to come. At the end, they finished in the 12th spot but, for some time, they looked capable of competing for a return to the European competitions. Despite the troubled finale of the campaign,1 win out of the last 7, coach Andrea Sottil was confirmed at the helm of theteam. The transfer campaign saw Udinese losing the usual bunch of protagonists, and more might be leaving in the next weeks. Left-back Udogie, whose loan from Tottenham came to an end, should be replaced by Zemura, who did well at Bournemouth, while Kamara should provide back-up, as Zeegelaar was released. At the back, Becao left for Turkey and he should not be missed if Masina returns in-form after spending most of the past season injured. Kabasele could represent a valid alternative from the bench.   The midfield is the area which changed the most over the summer as key Pereyra and sometime starting Arslan both left, while wunderkind Samardzic is about to be lured away by a bigger club. Zarraga, coming from Athletic Bilbao, should become a protagonist but more quality and creativity is needed in the area. The attack, which displayed the main problems,will be boosted by Brenner, who did well in the MLS, and promising Lucca, who left no mark at Ajax. However, it is Deulofeu’s return from injury which is expected the most.