Francesco Guidolin tells Udinese that “Anzhi are not just Samuel Eto’o” ahead of tomorrow’s tough Europa League debut.
Francesco Guidolin tells Udinese that “Anzhi are not just Samuel Eto’o” ahead of tomorrow’s tough Europa League debut.
The Russian side is based in the Republic of Dagestan and has brought in numerous top stars with the highest-paying contracts in the world, including ex-Inter striker Eto’o and Coach Guus Hiddink.
Cameroon international Eto’o arrived in August 2011 for €28m, earning a reported €20.5m per year.
“Anzhi are not just Eto’o,” warned Guidolin in his Press conference. “Anzhi are a team who want to become very important on the international stage and are among the strongest opponents we could’ve been drawn with in the Europa League.
“They play 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, but the more important aspect is that this is a side that can change during a match. They are dangerous.”
The Coach will rotate the squad, but insists this is going to be limited to a few figures.
“We have numerous games to play in quick succession and will try to face them all with the utmost effort.
“There will be a little bit of squad rotation, but we care about the competition and are making our debut, so we want to start well. Zeljko Brkic is probably not going to be available, while Antonio Di Natale needs a fitness test.”
Confidence is low at the Stadio Friuli after their Champions League play-off exit and one point from three Serie A rounds.
“We have been playing for a month and haven’t won a game yet. We have to rediscover that determination and grit we had last season.
“We had been told of the risks in playing the Champions League play-offs, just as Sampdoria and Chievo discovered when they were relegated the same season. Last year we had an extraordinary campaign which is impossible to repeat, but we can do some good things.”
Udinese (probable): Padelli; Coda, Danilo, Domizzi; Faraoni, Pereyra, Willians, Lazzari, Armero; Fabbrini; Di Natale
Anzhi (probable): Pomazan; Joao Carlos, Tagirbekov, Samba, Shatov; Boussafa, Lassana Diarra, Agalarov, Jucilei; Traoré, Eto'o