Palermo vs Udinese preview - Lazaar not getting carried away

Palermo defender Achraf Lazaar has called for humility as the Sicilians bid to follow up their shock win over AC Milan with a home victory against Udinese.

The promoted club ran out 2-0 winners at San Siro last weekend, a result that moved Giuseppe Iachini's men into 13th place, where they are now five points clear of the Serie A relegation zone.

But the Rosanero will have to keep their wits about them as they host wounded Udinese on Sunday, with Andrea Stramaccioni's side out for blood following their 4-2 home defeat to Genoa.

Morocco international Lazaar told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Winning at San Siro was a beautiful thing, but we have to remain humble.

"Udinese are a great team, I've watched their games and they always play well.

"We have started preparing for what will be another tough challenge.

"We must remain down to earth. First of all we have to reach 40 points and survival, then we can think about targeting loftier goals."

Swiss defender Michel Morganella is suspended for the home side at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, while Udinese are missing Albert Riera, Gabriel Silva and Zeljko Brkic through injury.

Back-to-back defeats to Genoa and Fiorentina have checked the early ascent of Stramaccioni's ambitious Udinese team, who won four of their first five games.

The former Inter Milan boss feels his players have been too generous over recent weeks.

"We have lost some of the anger and hunger that helped us make such a great start to the season," he told Corriere dello Sport.

"We have come back down to earth with a bump and we have to start showing great respect to our opponents again.

"The actual defeat to Genoa doesn't bother me that much, but the gifts we gave them do.

"There were far too many errors - that wasn't good."