It’s time for the Coppa Italia quarterfinals and, on paper, the least interesting tie is the one between Catania and Udinese (the others being Sampdoria-Roma, Lazio-Fiorentina, and Inter-Juventus). Still, it looks set to be an intriguing tie just the same, especially for Catania, after eliminating Milan in the previous round, reaching the semi-finals would be an incredible achievement.
Both teams are coming off somewhat disappointing results in Serie A. Udinese had to give up their fourth place to Fiorentina after losing 1-0 at home in the last minute against Milan, after giving an impressive performance. Meanwhile, Catania went down to a predictable, and deserved, 2-0 defeat away to Roma.
Overall, though, both teams won’t be too displeased with how they’ve fared so far this season. Catania currently have a five point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone, and Udinese are in the hunt for a Champions League spot. That is pretty much what both sides hoped for at the start of the season, and in Udinese’s case perhaps a little more.
Udinese eliminated Palermo in dramatic fashion at the last 16 stage. After a goalless draw at Udine against the Rosanero, they scored an injury-time goal at the Renzo Barbera stadium through striker Antonio Floro Flores to earn a place in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Catania eliminated Milan with a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Massimino stadium having beaten them 2-1 at San Siro. Although it was something of a shock, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti later admitted he wasn’t too displeased with his team’s elimination, as it meant they could focus entirely on reaching fourth place in Serie A and the Champions League.
That gives food for thought on the prestige of this competition, but don’t expect either side to hold back in this tie. For both of them reaching the semi-finals of any competition is not an everyday occurrence, so they will give it their all.
FORM GUIDE
Udinese
20/01 (Serie A): Udinese-Milan 0-1
16/01 (Coppa Italia): Palermo-Udinese 0-1
13/01 (Serie A): Cagliari-Udinese 0-1
23/12 (Serie A): Udinese-Empoli 2-2
19/12 (Coppa Italia): Udinese-Palermo 0-0
Catania
20/01 (Serie A): Roma-Catania 2-0
16/01 (Coppa Italia): Catania-Milan 1-1
12/01 (Serie A): Catania-Juventus 1-1
23/12 (Serie A): Reggina-Catania 3-1
20/12 (Coppa Italia): Milan-Catania 1-2
TEAM NEWS
Udinese
Raffaele De Martino, Giampiero Pinzi, Gyan Asamoah, and Tomas Zapotocny are out injured.
Possible formation (3-4-3): Handanovic; Zapata, Felipe, Lukovic; Mesto, D’Agostino, Inler, Dossena; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale.
Catania
Rocco Sabato, Takayuki Morimoto, Gionatha Spinesi, and Andrea Sottil are unavailable due to injury. Sottil is also suspended for this one, as are Gennaro Sardo and Christian Terlizzi.
Possible formation (4-3-3): Bizzarri; Silvestri, Stovini, Nardini, Vargas; Baiocco, Edusei, Tedesco; Martinez, Babú, Mascara.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)
A highly skillful striker who has scored some impressive goals this season (seven in all) and who has been in the Azzurri national team set up for quite some time. This summer he looks set to make his first appearence in a major international tournament at 30 years of age. Better late than never!
Jorge Martinez (Catania)
This striker has done surprisingly well in his first season in Italy after being bought from Nacional Montevideo last summer, scoring five times. At just 24 years of age, he may still have an impressive career ahead of him in Serie A. Reaching double figures in the goal-scorers’ list on his first season would already be a great first step.
PREDICTION
Udinese to take a slight lead in this first leg.
Udinese-Catania 1-0
Both teams are coming off somewhat disappointing results in Serie A. Udinese had to give up their fourth place to Fiorentina after losing 1-0 at home in the last minute against Milan, after giving an impressive performance. Meanwhile, Catania went down to a predictable, and deserved, 2-0 defeat away to Roma.
Overall, though, both teams won’t be too displeased with how they’ve fared so far this season. Catania currently have a five point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone, and Udinese are in the hunt for a Champions League spot. That is pretty much what both sides hoped for at the start of the season, and in Udinese’s case perhaps a little more.
Udinese eliminated Palermo in dramatic fashion at the last 16 stage. After a goalless draw at Udine against the Rosanero, they scored an injury-time goal at the Renzo Barbera stadium through striker Antonio Floro Flores to earn a place in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Catania eliminated Milan with a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Massimino stadium having beaten them 2-1 at San Siro. Although it was something of a shock, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti later admitted he wasn’t too displeased with his team’s elimination, as it meant they could focus entirely on reaching fourth place in Serie A and the Champions League.
That gives food for thought on the prestige of this competition, but don’t expect either side to hold back in this tie. For both of them reaching the semi-finals of any competition is not an everyday occurrence, so they will give it their all.
FORM GUIDE
Udinese
20/01 (Serie A): Udinese-Milan 0-1
16/01 (Coppa Italia): Palermo-Udinese 0-1
13/01 (Serie A): Cagliari-Udinese 0-1
23/12 (Serie A): Udinese-Empoli 2-2
19/12 (Coppa Italia): Udinese-Palermo 0-0
Catania
20/01 (Serie A): Roma-Catania 2-0
16/01 (Coppa Italia): Catania-Milan 1-1
12/01 (Serie A): Catania-Juventus 1-1
23/12 (Serie A): Reggina-Catania 3-1
20/12 (Coppa Italia): Milan-Catania 1-2
TEAM NEWS
Udinese
Raffaele De Martino, Giampiero Pinzi, Gyan Asamoah, and Tomas Zapotocny are out injured.
Possible formation (3-4-3): Handanovic; Zapata, Felipe, Lukovic; Mesto, D’Agostino, Inler, Dossena; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale.
Catania
Rocco Sabato, Takayuki Morimoto, Gionatha Spinesi, and Andrea Sottil are unavailable due to injury. Sottil is also suspended for this one, as are Gennaro Sardo and Christian Terlizzi.
Possible formation (4-3-3): Bizzarri; Silvestri, Stovini, Nardini, Vargas; Baiocco, Edusei, Tedesco; Martinez, Babú, Mascara.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)
A highly skillful striker who has scored some impressive goals this season (seven in all) and who has been in the Azzurri national team set up for quite some time. This summer he looks set to make his first appearence in a major international tournament at 30 years of age. Better late than never!
Jorge Martinez (Catania)
This striker has done surprisingly well in his first season in Italy after being bought from Nacional Montevideo last summer, scoring five times. At just 24 years of age, he may still have an impressive career ahead of him in Serie A. Reaching double figures in the goal-scorers’ list on his first season would already be a great first step.
PREDICTION
Udinese to take a slight lead in this first leg.
Udinese-Catania 1-0
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