Udinese coach Serse Cosmi believes his side have “rediscovered their old selves” ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Werder Bremen.
After a promising start to their Serie A and Champions League campaigns, Udinese were distracted by the contractual wrangling surrounding striker Vincenzo Iaquinta.
Three league defeats and a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League followed, and matters weren’t helped by the loss through injury of Cesare Natali.
“During that period we suffered four defeats in ten days,” said Cosmi.
“It was incredible. We were getting it from all angles – from the media as well. It was like being in a food blender. But now we seem to be back to our old selves.”
With Iaquinta back in the fold after signing new deal, Udinese’s form has picked up.
Despite losing their opening Champions League fixtures, Bremen are the form team in Germany, leading the Bundesliga after scoring 27 goals in nine games.
The German team will be without the suspended Ivan Klasnic, but still have Miroslav Klose available.
Ümit Davala, Tim Wiese and Petri Pasanen will miss out through injury, while Udinese will be without the suspended Vidigal.
Giampiero Pinzi and Roberto Sensini will replace Vidigal and Natali; Vincent Candela returns to left-back after being rested; and David Di Michele is favourite to partner Iaquinta after his hat-trick against Siena.
