Udinese vs US Sassuolo Calcio preview - Stramaccioni planning for future

Posted Saturday, May 23, 2015 by PA

Udinese still have two games of the seaon to go, but boss Andrea Stramaccioni is already looking ahead to next term.

The Friuli outfit host Sassuolo on Sunday, the last home game for Stramaccioni in his first season at the helm.

Both sides are safe from relegation heading into the clash in Udine.

Udinese have mustered just two wins in their last 11 league games and last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Roma dropped the Bianconeri to 15th place.

Stramaccioni, who replaced long-time coach Francesco Guidolin last summer, believes better times are ahead.

"I will remain at Udinese after the summer," Stramaccioni said to the Italian press. "Our aim next season is to surpass the 40-point mark as early as possible.

"This season was year zero for us as it ended Guidolin's cycle.

"We have played good games against top teams and thrown away points against the smaller clubs, which is a pity.

"But we will build on the work done this season and come back stronger."

Stramaccioni will be hoping Sunday's match will not be veteran captain Antonio Di Natale's last at the Friuli stadium.

The 37-year-old is Udinese's top scorer with 14 goals in 32 league appearances and is considering retiring at the end of the campaign.

"I think Di Natale can still give us a lot," Stramaccioni said. "I have spent the whole season trying to make him understand this."

Di Natale, who has played for Udinese since 2004, missed last weekend's match at Roma with a muscle injury, but will return to lead his team's attack on Sunday.

Sassuolo travel to Friuli looking for their third straight triumph.

The Emilia-Romagna club have won at Cesena and against AC Milan 3-2 to climb to 13th in the standings.

Domenico Berardi's hat-trick against Milan handed Sassuolo their 10th victory of the campaign.

"We want to finish the season strongly," Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi said. "We are in good form and our focus is on the game at Udinese.

"It would be fantastic to end what has been a positive season in the top half of the standings."