The new Serie A season kicked off at Stadio Friuli this weekend with both Udinese and Palermo coming into the game confident of success and ready to impress.
However it was the Bianconeri who dominated from start to finish as they strolled to an easy win against an average Rosanero side to start off in the best possible way. Di Natale and Inler were outstanding throughout and the club will pat themselves on the back for having kept both players over the summer, despite tempting offers.
First Half
Udinese began the game brightly and it was the home side who came out flying from the starting blocks. Pepe did brilliantly to waltz down the wing and launch a pinpoint cross towards Inler but the midfielder’s header just flashed wide of Marco Amelia’s goal. It was obvious right from the kick off that the new Palermo goal keeper was in for a very busy after noon. Minutes later it was Fabio Quagliarella, who tested the Rosanero with a fierce drive from distance after he was fed through by Damiano Ferrotnetti, but the striker’s effort was high and wayward.
The Bianconeri played some slick football as they pushed the Sicilians back and it wasn’t long before they took a well deserved lead. Di Natale combined with Inler following a nice one touch move and the Italian international beat Amelia with a low drive into the bottom right corner. It was a superb finish by the hit-man, who grabbed the first goal of the new campaign.
It was all Udinese with Stefano Colantuono’s men showing little resistance. Quagliarella, Pepe and Pasquale all tried their luck to get on the score sheet but Amelia was in top form as he dealt with the threats. Bosko Jankovic went into the book for a needless hand ball as desperate Palermo tried everything they could to stop the Zebrette onslaught. The Sicilians looked rusty and unorganised as Pasquale Marino’s men created chance after chance. Palermo finally got some respite on 17 minutes when Edison Cavani had his side’s first strike on goal but it was off target.
The Renzo Barbera side just didn’t have enough up front early on and president Maurizio Zamparini must be regretting Amauri’s sale to Juventus this summer as his side just didn’t threaten. Udinese kept on coming forward in droves and the Friulani always looked likely of adding another. The home side looked fresh and fitter than their opponents as they ran riot on the pitch. The away side seemed nervous and stale as they struggled to get going.
The Bianconeri looked head and shoulders above Palermo and they were firmly in control although the game did get ugly towards the end of the first half as both sides began lunging in. Inler was lucky to escape a yellow card after he went in tough on Liverani as their midfield battle began to heat up. The inevitable then happened as Di Natale pounced to find the net once again. D’Agostino found the pint sized hit-man with a slick ball into the middle of the box and the striker smashed over the line, leaving Amelia with no chance.
Miccoli tried to respond with one of his trademark strikes but the ball whizzed wide. It was a super strike from Nocerino’s through pass.
Second Half
Colantuono replaced Jankovic with Mark Bresciano in order to bring some much needed creativity and vision in the middle as his side came out to fight and get themselves back into the game.
The coach’s half time talk must have worked as a different Rosanero who looked determined, incisive and better all round took to the field. Cavani fired a left foot drive from outside the box but, like his previous one in the first half, it went wide.
Palermo risked being hit on the break as the pushed forward and Di Natale was unlucky not to have grabbed a hat-trick. The away side began creeping back into the fray and Liverani almost pulled one back for his side. Coda fouled Miccoli on the edge of the box and the midfielder whipped a brilliant free kick over the wall but he saw his effort come back off the post.
The home side then began to find their first half rhythm which had gone missing for a while. D’Agostino found Quagliarella unmarked at the back post with a brilliant cross but the former Sampdoria man headed wide from two yards. How he missed is anyone’s guess. It was easier to score.
Down the other end Palermo finally managed to get the breakthrough as Bresciano pulled one back. The substitution paid off for Colantuono as he saw the Australian’s shot rifle into the top corner. However, any chances of getting back into the game were dashed as Inler scored from a D’Agostino corner a minute later. Udinese continued to dominate with Motta and Tissone trying to lob Amelia from the centre circle only to see their efforts go inches wide. They held on to take all three points and find themselves sitting comfortably at the top of the league, well at least for a few hours anyway.
Teams
Udinese 4-3-3: Handanovic, Ferronetti, Coda, Lukovic, Pasquale, Isla, D'Agostino(Tissone), Inler, Pepe(Motta), Quagliarella, Di Natale
Palermo 4-3-3: Amelia, Raggi, Della Fiore, Bovo, Balzaretti, Migliaccio(Simplicio), Liverani, Nocerino, Jankovic (Bresciano), Cavani(Lanzafame), Miccoli.
Goals: Di Natale x 2 (Udinese), Bresciano(Palermo), Inler(Udinese)
Cards: Jankovic(Palermo), Nocerino(Palermo), Coda(Udinese), Della Fiore(Palermo)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment