Siena vs Udinese preview - Asamoah demands strong finish
Posted Sunday, April 01, 2012 by PA
Udinese know they must re-discover the fighting spirit which helped them finish fourth last season as they hit the last stretch in Serie A.
A 1-0 defeat at Novara and draws against Napoli and Palermo have suddenly left Udinese on the back foot as they go into tomorrow's game at relegation-threatened Siena.
Udinese have won just one of their last eight league games and last weekend's 1-1 result at Palermo saw them drop to fifth place, three points behind Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.
"We want to play in the Champions League next season," Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah said.
"In order for that to happen, we must do well in all of our remaining games and hope that teams that precede us slip up.
"It's going to be a difficult task because the last nine league games are going to be a battle and Lazio and Napoli are playing very well."
Injuries and suspension have hindered Udinese of late and club coach Francesco Guidolin will have to make changes to his starting XI.
Serbian defender Dusan Basta is out with a muscular problem and joins Damiano Ferronetti, Mehdi Benatia, Emmanuel Badu and Maurizio Isla in the physio's room.
Moreover, defender Joel Ekstrand and striker Antonio Floro Flores are both suspended.
Siena have lost just one of their last five league games and are 16th in the standings.
Last weekend's 1-1 draw at Chievo lifted them six points clear of the drop zone.
However, Siena midfielder Alessandro Gazzi knows he and his team-mates still have a lot of work to do.
"Until we defend our Serie A status, we cannot have sweet dreams," Gazzi said.
"I don't know how many points we still need to get in order to be safe but destiny is in our hands."
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