by David Rata
Udinese, following a start to the season with a bang (6 wins and 1 draw in the first 8 days), had a slump followingwards and experienced a big slowdown (only 1 win in the last 13 days) which took the Friuli club away from European places. The current 8th in Serie A, just 10 points from the Top 4, must start a series to make a comeback. Beto’s teammates (7 goals) have just failed on the lawn of Torino (1-0) during the last day, a failure which comes following 1 success on the field of Sampdoria Genoa (0-1) and 1 draw ahead of Hellas Verona (1-1). Udinese hopes to return to victory at the Dacia Arena following a drought of 6 matches (4 draws and 2 defeats). Sassuolo seems to be the ideal opponent to revive! Indeed, Dionisi’s foals have lost 5 of their last 7 trips to the Italian championship but the heroic victory in Milan (2-5) on January 29 can give a positive boost to Maxime Lopez’s partners. After 6 defeats in a row, friendlies and Serie A combined, Sassuolo has just taken 7 points during the last three days at Monza (1-1) then in Milan (2-5) and recently once morest Atalanta Bergamo (1-0) . Winner of two Top 6 teams, Sassuolo must not fall into euphoria and remain moderate to avoid any disappointments in Friuli.