Venice vs Udinese – News and Probable Lineups

The Serie A round will commence with a clash at the bottom of the table under the Friday night lights, as Udinese travel to face Venezia at Stadio Penzo.

Both teams have already parted ways with their managers due to a run of truly poor results, following Kosta Runjaic’s dismissal earlier this week.

Match overview

Having been promoted back to Italy’s top division last spring, Venezia has only managed to collect three points since their return to Serie A, sitting firmly at the bottom of the standings.

After a sluggish beginning, the Lagunari replaced Giovanni Stroppa with survival specialist Davide Nicola, who notably led his new team to an impressive victory over Napoli in his inaugural match.

However, they have since suffered three consecutive defeats without scoring any goals; last weekend, they lost 1-0 to Como, despite a valiant effort from busy goalkeeper Filip Stankovic.

This means Venezia has become just the third team in history to lose at least nine of their first ten fixtures in Serie A, leaving Nicola with challenges to address at both ends of the pitch.

Not only have the Arancioneroverdi found the net just six times in the league, but they also have a concerning defensive record, conceding two goals per game – clearly relegation form.

Now they will welcome opponents who are also struggling; Udinese sits just two points above them, meaning a win could see Venezia rise off the bottom of the table.

Although many of their past encounters date back several years, Udinese has claimed five wins in the last seven league meetings against Venezia, and they triumphed in a Coppa Italia match earlier this season.

However, they have recorded only one victory in Serie A at Stadio Penzo, and the Friulani are currently in a downward spiral.

After suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat against Roma last week, Udinese has lost seven of their last eight matches, which ultimately led to Runjaic’s departure.

Despite a strong start to his tenure at the club, the German coach’s side managed only five points from ten Serie A games, marking their worst initiation this century.

Without delay, Paolo Zanetti, a former Venezia head coach, has been appointed until the end of the season and will face his old team first.

Since leading the Lagunari to promotion after 19 years, Zanetti’s results at other clubs have varied, so he will definitely have a point to prove this Friday.

Team News

Venezia will still be without Marin Sverko, Bartol Franjic, and Andrea Adorante, while wing-back Thierry Correia is doubtful due to a thigh injury.

After Lion Lauerbach featured in the last two matches for the Lagunari, it remains to be seen if John Yeboah will reinstate his partnership with club-record signing Akor Adams.

Only Roma’s Donyell Malen (15) has registered more shots on target than Adams (13) in Serie A this season, although the Nigerian striker has only found the net twice – both at home.

On the other hand, Udinese is dealing with a lean spell for their key player: Keinan Davis has not scored in 13 league outings since March.

Attacking midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp is Udinese’s leading Serie A scorer with three goals, and he is likely to appear in Zanetti’s first lineup.

While Oumar Solet has returned from a calf issue, the visitors will miss Alessandro Zanoli, David Alaba, and Idrissa Gueye; Vakoun Bayo, who scored the winner in a recent cup encounter between these sides, remains uncertain.

Venezia probable starting XI:

Stankovic; Halhal, Moreno, Jesus; Hainaut, Perez, Busio, Sohm, Mazzocchi; Jeboah, Adams

Udinese probable starting XI:

Okoye; Abankwah, Solet, Palma; Vojvoda, Karlstrom, Piotrowski, Kamara; Zaniolo, Ekkelenkamp; Davis

With the worst goal difference and the fewest points in Serie A, this pair has been in poor form for a large part of the season.

Perhaps a change in management could inspire Udinese to finally escape their rut as Zanetti makes a return to Penzo.