Udinese vs Siena preview - Hard-working Pozzi keen to impress

Posted Sunday, January 27, 2013 by PA

Nicola Pozzi is determined to make an impression at his new club as Siena look to claim back-to-back wins at the expense of Udinese.

The former Italy Under-21 international has moved to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on loan from Sampdoria, who Siena beat 1-0 last weekend, after barely featuring for the Blucerchiati in the top flight.

The Tuscans are still propping up the Serie A table but victory over Samp saw Giuseppe Iachini's men close to within six points of 17th-placed Pescara and safety.

Pozzi said: "I'm at Siena with the conviction to do well and make an impression. The club wanted me and the coach's confidence in me was key.

"It was a really important performance against Samp, it was proof that this team is full of life and believes in itself.

"As for me, I have to work hard to get back in condition as soon as possible, there is no time to wait.

"I hope to be available to the coach as soon as possible, Siena is an important opportunity for me."

Pozzi will not be fit enough to play any part in Udine, with Iachini set to run the rule over Gianluca Pegolo, Alessandro Rosina, Massimo Paci and Alessio Sestu.

It proved to be an unhappy evening in Turin for Udinese head coach Francesco Guidolin as he marked 500 games as a Serie A manager, but the veteran tactician felt a great sense of pride nonetheless.

Udinese returned from the Juventus Stadium on the back of a 4-0 defeat, the Friulians' first reverse in seven outings, and now Guidolin is considering his future.

He said: "To have come so far gives me a great feeling and doing it while in charge of Udinese gives me great satisfaction.

"I love my job but I suffer a lot for it. We'll see what happens at the end of the season when I speak to the club."

Prolific striker Antonio Di Natale faces a fitness test before Siena come to town, but Diego Fabbrini, Zeljko Brkic, Mehdi Benatia and Emmanuel Badu are all unavailable.

Udinese have won five straight home games against Siena, with Di Natale scoring the decider when the Tuscans last visited the Stadio Friuli in November 2011.