Udinese vs Parma preview - Udinese hope to build on good run

Posted Sunday, September 28, 2014 by PA

Udinese coach Andrea Stramaccioni is confident his side can extend their good run of form when they host Parma on Monday.

The Friuli outfit beat Lazio 1-0 in Rome on Thursday for their third victory of the season.

The outcome at the Stadio Olimpico, their first away win of the campaign, followed their 1-0 success over Napoli and lifted the Bianconeri to third place in serie A.

Udinese are three points adrift of league leaders Juventus and Roma after four games played.

"We are showing great heart and character," Stramaccioni said. "I told my players it wasn't easy to clinch points at Lazio.

"My players put in a great performance.

"We don't have a prima donna in our side, everyone works for the good of the team and we are united.

"This is the fighting spirit of Udinese. We must continue like this. We need to enjoy this moment and keep working."

Udinese are set to recover Colombian striker Luis Muriel, who sustained an ankle knock in midweek.

Veteran striker Antonio Di Natale will return to the starting XI having rested against Lazio.

Di Natale will play in attack alongside Cyril Thereau, whose first goal of the season handed Udinese all three points on Thursday.

Parma travel to the Friuli stadium on the back of Wednesday's painful 2-1 defeat to Roma.

The Ducale club looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw when Roma's Miralem Pjanic scored two minutes from time to condemn Parma to their third defeat of the campaign.

"We are disappointed," Parma coach Roberto Donadoni said. "We didn't deserve to lose.

"I am nevertheless proud of my players. They put in a great performance against a very good side.

"We now need to look forward with optimism knowing that we are on the right path."

Parma have won just once this season and lie 16th in the standings.