EURO 2024Udinese vs Catania preview - Guidolin: We must maintain focus
Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by PA
Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin is relishing the excitement in the city but has urged his players to keep their feet firmly on the ground ahead of the home match against Catania.
The Friuli outfit climbed to fourth in Serie A thanks to a 4-0 win at Catania on Sunday.
Last weekend's outcome was their third straight win and extended their unbeaten run to 12 games.
Udinese hold the last Champions League qualifying spot with nine games remaining and fans are beginning to dream of playing in Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 2005.
"We are going through a magical time," Guidolin said. "But we must maintain our focus in order to extend this great run for as long as possible."
Udinese have been in this position before.
Approaching the end of the 2007-08 campaign, the Bianconeri found themselves in fourth but could not maintain the pace and had to settle for a place in the UEFA Cup.
Catania travel to the mainland looking for their first win on the road in 13 months.
Diego Simeone's men face a stern test against an Udinese side that remains unbeaten at the Friuli Stadium since September 16.
"Udinese are in great form and it's going to be very difficult," Catania midfielder Christian Llama said.
"We will need to be focused from start to finish if we are to take home three points."
However, the last time both sides met it was Catania that came out triumphant with a 1-0 victory in Sicily.
The visitors go into the encounter inspired by last weekend's 1-0 win over Sampdoria.
That result lifted Catania four places and four points above the drop zone.
The Sicilians need eight points from their remaining nine games to reach the 40-point mark, widely regarded as sufficient to avoid the drop.
"We certainly can't slow down," Llama said. "We need to start getting maximum points away from home at this crucial stage of the campaign."
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