Udinesevs.Avellino

After a season of struggle in 2023-24, when they almost lost their top-flight status, the Friulani will seek a bright start this term.

Match preview

After World Cup-winner Fabio Cannavaro stepped in to replace Gabriele Cioffi late last season, with Udinese sitting perilously close to the Serie A trapdoor, the Friuli club's survival ultimately came down to a high-stakes shootout on Serie A's final matchday.

They travelled to Frosinone's Stadio Benito Stirpe knowing that a win was required to guarantee extending their long stay in the top flight, and an unlikely hero - injury-hit English striker Keinan Davis - stepped up to save them with a late strike to defeat their relegation rivals.

Now entering their 30th year at Calcio's elite level, Udinese will be keen to end their trend of turning three points into one: no fewer than 19 of the Bianconeri's games finished level last term - the highest total across Europe's top five leagues.

Following two wins and two defeats in pre-season friendlies, new boss Kosta Runjaic kicks off his reign in Udine with a home game against third-tier opposition, as most Serie A sides enter the Coppa Italia.

Italy's top eight teams will join the action in the last 16, but Udinese - who went out in the second round to Cagliari last year - still have two ties to negotiate before reaching that stage.

Like Friday's hosts, Avellino have never before lifted the Coppa Italia, while their recent history has been far more turbulent than Udinese's prolonged spell of top-flight stability.

In 2018, the Biancoverdi were kicked out of Serie B for financial reasons and dropped down to Serie D, and six years later they reside in the third division.

Avellino finished second in their region last season, though that was not enough to secure promotion, as they went on to lose to Vicenza in the playoffs.

Now head coach Michele Pazienza returns to Udine - where the former Napoli midfielder once played and made his Serie A debut - having steered his side past local rivals Juve Stabia in the Coppa Italia's preliminary round last week.

A 3-1 home win took the Campanian club through to the first round proper, and they now have nothing to lose against Udinese, who they last played competitively back in January 1992 - a 1-1 draw in Serie B.

Udinese pre-season form:

Avellino Coppa Italia form:

W

Team News

Building up to next week's league opener against Champions League-bound Bologna, Kosta Runjaic is likely to select a strong team, with several summer signings set to play a part.

After Lorenzo Lucca's successful loan from Pisa last season, the towering striker has now agreed a permanent deal, while midfield duo Jesper Karlstrom and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp have also arrived in Udine.

Despite almost a year of waiting by the exit door, with several of Serie A's top sides apparently vying for his signature, Lazar Samardzic remains at the club; the Serbia international is not likely to feature on Friday, though.

Meanwhile, Michele Pazienza is expected to name a similar Avellino XI to that which saw off Juve Stabia last time out, with Antony Iannarilli in goal and ex-Italy youth international Gabriele Gori starting up front.

Former Frosinone midfielder Alessio Tribuzzi scored twice in the Biancoverdi's derby win in Sunday's preliminary round, and he should again feature in a three-man midfield.

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Kabasele, Gianetti, Perez; Ebosele, Payero, Karlstrom, Quina, Zemura; Brenner, Lucca

Avellino possible starting lineup:

Iannarilli; Cancellotti, Armellino, Frascatore; D'Ausilio, Rocca, Tribuzzi, Palmiero, Liotti; Patierno, Gori

We say: Udinese 2-0 Avellino

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