Fiorentina vs Udinese preview - Hot shot Di Natale back for Bianconeri

Posted Sunday, May 01, 2011 by PA

Udinese will be lifted by the return of Antonio Di Natale for the match at Fiorentina.

Di Natale, who is the team's top scorer with 26 league goals this campaign, missed last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Parma with a knee injury.

That loss was Udinese's second consecutive at the Friuli stadium and left the Bianconeri in fifth place, one point behind Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Di Natale knows his side cannot afford any further slips if they are to qualify for Champions League football next season.

Udinese host Lazio after their trip to Florence.

"Our next two games are crucial for our campaign," Di Natale said. "We are aware that we cannot make any more mistakes.

"Fiorentina and Lazio represent for us the most important tests of the campaign.

"We need the right approach and a fighting spirit in order to succeed."

Udinese will have to overcome the absence of suspended trio Maurizio Domizzi, Pablo Armero and Gokhan Inler this weekend.

"It's a setback to be without several key players at this stage of the campaign," Di Natale said.

"But we have shown throughout this season that this team can overcome injuries to key players because we have a strong and determined side."

Fiorentina, meanwhile, are ninth in the standings after last weekend's 2-1 triumph at Cagliari.

The Viola have mustered just one win in their last six league games at the Artemio Franchi stadium and will be eager to improve that record come Sunday.

"We want to end the season on a high note," said Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini. "We want to give our fans some joy by beating Udinese at home.

"A win against Udinese would be a big boost in confidence before we travel to the San Siro to face Inter Milan."