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Europe’s League tables have a somewhat surreal appearance at present. In England last season’s play-off winners Hull City lie third, while Champions League winners Manchester United sit eighth.
In the surprisingly thrilling Bundesliga Bayern Munich are toiling in eleventh place, prompting President Franz Beckenbauer to state that: “The small clubs have become cheeky and lost all respect.”
Then of course there’s Serie A. As Juventus and Roma’s problems mount, Inter have to share the title of leaders with lesser lights Lazio and Udinese. Certain outfits, such as Udinese warrant a closer look, however, as this is no flash in the pan.
For years the Zebrette have excelled, finishing in or around the European places despite a limited budget and the grim reality of having to sell their best players every summer, surviving due to the shrewd recruitment policies of sporting director Pietro Leonardi and the talent of young tacticians Luciano Spalletti and Pasquale Marino.
This season seemed like a bridge too far for President Giampaolo Pozzo’s overachievers. Although the huge sales of summers past weren’t replicated, Andrea Dossena being the only significant loss, the fact that Udinese had made so few signings was worrying given the investment made by the big clubs, and even those in mid-table.
Their success in domestic and European action is therefore all the more remarkable. Injuries to their first choice defensive pairing, Cristian Zapata and Dias Felipe, have been shrugged off with the signing of Maurizio Domizzi.
Their results have been complimented by an entertaining, attacking style, employing a 4-3-3 system long before Jose Mourinho put his into place at Inter, as Marino pointed out this weekend. Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella have been mesmerising, and Simone Pepe, inactive at Roma and ineffective at Cagliari, has been transformed, resulting in a national call.
It is scarcely believable that the northern side actually sustained criticism following their penalties victory over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Cup last Thursday, a tie so few had given them a hope of actually winning.
Another of Marino’s observations was that the Press didn’t give Udinese enough attention, although that was how he liked it, declaring: “At least we can work without pressure.” Whether he likes it or not though, he can expect a lot more pressure in a season that promises to be one of the greatest in the club's history.
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