Can Italy legend Cannavaro avoid Udinese’s Serie A relegation? | OneFootball

Fabio Cannavaro aims to bolster Udinese‘s Serie A status with disciplined leadership and tactical understanding and his focus on young talents will be crucial.

Azzurri legend Cannavaro is the man chosen by Udinese for the final part of the season after the inevitable sacking of Gabriele Cioffi. The ex-defender had replaced Andrea Sottil halfway through the 2023-24 campaign, but the task for Cannavaro will be challenging. An impressive playing career, culminating in a 2006 World Cup win with Italy and a Ballon d’Or, places Cannavaro under enormous pressure as he embarks on his first Serie A appointment as a coach.

Initial cues of a style of leadership to be one of strict discipline, Cannavaro will be relying on some Udinese youngsters, including Lazar Samardzic, to avoid the Bianconeri’s relegation. Although the exact tactics he will deploy are yet to be entirely fleshed out, if his reputation is anything to go by, it is fair to imagine the ex-defender primarily keeping a tight defence. With Gerard Deulofeu, Florian Thauvin and Sandi Lovric injured, Lorenzo Lucca will have all the pressure on his shoulders in attack and Cannavaro will be tasked with boosting the Bianconeri’s options up front.

Udinese Coaching Transition: A Journey from Cioffi to Cannavaro

Gabriele Cioffi’s brief stint with Udinese was marked by a direct and pragmatic tactical approach that rarely changed regardless of the opposition. His reign at Udinese was marked by struggles to keep the lead and predictability in attacking moves. A brief spell could not oversee any strategic overhaul or major improvement in outcomes, hence exposing the team to a dangerous spot near the relegation zone.

Cannavaro won’t have enough time to deploy a clear tactical identity for Udinese, as the primary target will be to get results and enough points to avoid Serie B relegation. If he completes the job, then the next season will be one for him to develop his idea of football and prepare the club for a successful long-term future.

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Udinese’s Transfer Window Activities from a Strategic Perspective

Udinese have been one of the best clubs in Italy when it comes to scouting and player trading, but things haven’t quite worked out for the Bianconeri over the last few years. Former defender Federico Balzaretti was appointed as a sporting director last summer, but Tuttosport has recently claimed that the ex-Roma and Juventus man will leave at the end of the season. Lazar Samardzic was expected to leave last summer. Eventually, he remained in Friuli, and his price tag will dramatically lower in the summer, especially if the Bianconeri go down to Serie B. It would be a huge blow to Udinese who generally operate on a low-risk financial approach. The strategy hinges on sustainability and dictates their transfer policies and generally all operational decisions.

The Road Ahead: Key Fixtures and the Implications for Udinese

Cannavaro picked up an impressive away draw at Bologna in his first entire match in charge of Udinese, but his debut was a nightmare. He lost to Roma in a rescheduled fixture against Roma, with only the final 18 minutes plus add-ons being played.

Their next Serie A match is against Napoli, but Udinese’s fate will probably be determined by the final three games against direct opponents Lecce (away), Empoli (home) and Frosinone (away). Udinese are currently in the drop zone, two points below Empoli, Frosinone and Verona and just four behind Cagliari. Anything can still happen in the final month of action in Serie A, but despite a poor position in the table, games against direct opponents mean Cannavaro and their men have the fate in their hands. A club that was once accustomed to playing in European competitions and even in the Champions League will be desperate to avoid a season in Serie B, hoping to return to greatness over the next few years.