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Udinese's Francesco Guidolin delighted by his side's qualification for Europa League last 32
The in-form Italians picked up the point they needed to ensure their place in Friday's draw courtesy of a goal from talismanic striker Antonio Di Natale
Dec 15, 2011 11:00:00 PM
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin was delighted that all of his side’s hard work paid off as they claimed a 1-1 draw with Celtic on Thursday night which saw the high-flying Bianconeri progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League.
The Italian outfit needed only a point from their final fixture in Group I to go through as runners-up to Atletico Madrid and they realised their goal thanks to evergreen striker Antonio Di Natale, who equalised just before the break after the visitors had opened the scoring on 29 minutes through Gary Hooper.
"We found ourselves in a very tough group, perhaps the toughest, and this has taken away a lot of energy,” Guidolin told Mediaset after the game. “But we wanted to go through.
“This was a game where the little details would be decisive. In the first half we suffered somewhat, but in the second half we were sublime.”
Guidolin is now hoping that the draw for the last 32, which will take place in Nyon on Friday, will be kind to his side – but he is not holding his breath.
"We drew Arsenal in the Champions League [qualifiers] and then [drew] this group so we’re sure to land one of the two Manchester sides [City or United].”
Qualification now having been achieved, Udinese, who are currently joint-top of Serie A alongside Juventus, can now focus on their domestic campaign for the next few months.
| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £120.00 | Draw £12.00 | Celtic £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £150.00 | Draw £14.00 | Celtic £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £50.00 | Draw £37.50 | Celtic £16.70 |
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The Italian outfit needed only a point from their final fixture in Group I to go through as runners-up to Atletico Madrid and they realised their goal thanks to evergreen striker Antonio Di Natale, who equalised just before the break after the visitors had opened the scoring on 29 minutes through Gary Hooper.
"We found ourselves in a very tough group, perhaps the toughest, and this has taken away a lot of energy,” Guidolin told Mediaset after the game. “But we wanted to go through.
“This was a game where the little details would be decisive. In the first half we suffered somewhat, but in the second half we were sublime.”
Guidolin is now hoping that the draw for the last 32, which will take place in Nyon on Friday, will be kind to his side – but he is not holding his breath.
"We drew Arsenal in the Champions League [qualifiers] and then [drew] this group so we’re sure to land one of the two Manchester sides [City or United].”
Qualification now having been achieved, Udinese, who are currently joint-top of Serie A alongside Juventus, can now focus on their domestic campaign for the next few months.
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