Udinese left with gaping hole due to AFCON

With the African Cup of Nations fast approaching MTNFootball.com takes a look at what it means for Udinese to lose their African trio of; Emanuel Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, and Mehdi Benatia, for the months of January and mid-February. 

With Serie A traditionally famous for its defensive prowess, Udinese have had to bid adieu to one of the most currently inform and impressive defenders in the Italian peninsula: Benatia.

The Moroccan has been a colossal influence for both club and country in recent years where he helped lead his country through an impressive African Cup of Nations’ campaign. Meanwhile for his domestic side, Mehdi helped the Zebrette to finish fourth last year; seeing them qualify for the Champions League preliminary qualification round. 

It is his physical and powerful presence, as well as his calm and visionary play which allows him to interpret and read the game almost replicating the great Italian defenders to have played before him. 

His three-man defensive partnership alongside Maurizio Domizzi and Larangeira Danilo have proven to be rock solid this season, where not only have they helped their team remain unbeaten at home but they boast the one of best defensive records in Serie A coming into the Christmas break. 

Benatia’s immediate replacement would be Damiano Ferronetti who has the potential to do well but his erratic persona sees him offer little security; therefore, making the loss of the Moroccan even more concerning. 

But the gaping hole will come in the midfield where Francesco Guidolin has resigned himself to having let go three players- two of which are constant starters and have formed an unbreakable bond, that has seen them concede little possession as well as orchestrating some of the most attractive counter-attacking football in the peninsula. 

For the Zebrette the loss of Asamoah and Badu could prove to be a huge test for their side as their recent outing to Genoa proved to be the case, which saw them fall 3-2 to a side that replaced their coach just before the Christmas break. 

The match at the Marassi was the first match Udinese played without their African trio and they couldn't have gotten off to a worse start as they proved that a lot of work lies ahead of them. 

"We must not let ourselves get affected by those who are not here," noted Guidolin after the disappointing match.

"Instead we ought to give ourselves our best in training and the match situation, looking to the present and battling for every ball."

The Bianconeri immediately bounced back with a 2-1 win over Catania at the Friuli stadium , but they are yet to keep a clean sheet since the departure of their Africans.

Nevertheless, the club have responded swiftly to their absence of their great Ghanaians by bringing in Gelson Fernandes from St. Etienne. The youngster is highly rated and is expected to provide the desired cover for during of the Cup of Nations tournament. In addition, the Bianconeri also had a budding star coming through their ranks in the shape of Theirry Doubai.

The Ivory Coast youngster narrowly missed out in the final 23-man squad for Les Elephants but the youngster has since been loaned out to Sochaux in order to gain more first team experience.

But it is  Fernandes' need for team adjustment that could prove fatal should they fail to absorb the pressure that the city and the team expect of them. 

A good day at Guidolin's office already sees him have a slim squad at his disposal and with Benatia's position being filled by an erratic player and the Ghanaian's positions being occupied with inexperienced players: Udinese could have an exceptionally long month on their hands.

Nevertheless, hope lies in Guidolins's ability to easily instill the belief in his squad which will undoubtedly prove key during these testing months for Udinese as they look to keep their Championship hopes  as well as a Champions League spot alive.