Empoli - Udinese preview - Udinese hoping to bounce back

Posted Sunday, January 25, 2015 by PA

Udinese coach Andrea Stramaccioni has called on his players to bounce back from the disappointment of their Coppa Italia elimination by taking all three points at Empoli on Monday.

The Friuli outfit lost 5-4 on penalties against Napoli at the San Paolo stadium on Thursday, after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.

Substitute Gonzalo Higuain converted the winning penalty after Allan's effort was saved by Napoli goalkeeper Mariano Andujar to see Udinese crash out of the competition in the round of 16.

"We are disappointed," Stramaccioni told the Italian media. "But I could not have asked my players for more.

"I think it was one of our best performances of the season.

"We were also unlucky, as (Uruguay striker Rodrigo) Aguirre was meant to take the last penalty, but he injured himself in extra-time, so Allan went instead.

"Allan stepped in because he is a great man and a fantastic player but unfortunately, he missed.

"Now we must focus on Serie A."

Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale will return to the starting line-up against Empoli having been rested in midweek.

Di Natale is the Bianconeri's top scorer with eight league goals while the veteran forward has also provided four assists.

Udinese, who are without seven injured players, will be bolstered by the return of defender Silvan Widmer b from suspension.

Stramaccioni's side have not won since December 7 and have collected just three points since.

Last weekend's 2-2 result against Cagliari lifted Udinese to 12th place.

Rivals Empoli also bowed out of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 defeat at Roma last Tuesday.

Empoli have lost just one of their last eight league games and their goalless result at Inter last time out was their sixth draw in their last seven Serie A matches.

The Tuscan minnows, coached by Maurizio Sarri, are 16th in the standings, three points clear of the drop zone.