Toronto FC in the States, really?

Yes, give that Italian journalist an A+ for geography.  Never knew that Toronto FC was in the States? 

Hanburger anyone?

From a bar in Ostia Antica.  Yes, when you feel hungry, do have a "hanburger"!

Udinese...

Danilo and Di Natale knocks (“knock out”, considering there are two of them”?) out Cagliari

Udinese confirm their strength at the Friuli by beating Cagliari 2-0

[ 06.10.2013 ]

Udinese has raised (“has risen”?) again after beating Cagliari 2-0 at home after a well-played match and thanks to the goals (“thanks to goals scored by”?) scored by Danilo and Di Natale. Cagliari make a better start and take Udinese by surprise with their 4-3-3 game plan, but Guidolin elaborates his countermove. Udinese use the classic 4-4-2 game plan with Nico Lopez and Di Natale. The situation gets broken through by Danilo after Totò Di Natale's free-kick.

The second half starts with Maicosuel in place of Nico Lopez, and the performance of the squad increases at once. The second goal comes through Di Natale, who is closer and closer to the all-time top scorer ranking. Cagliari try (“tries”?) to react but don't (“doesn’t”?) manage to score. Udinese finally manage to win and score the 22nd home success in a row. Which is all that matters now.

Giaretta: "A pity to play in San Siro behind closed doors"

Udinese Sports Manager Cristiano Giaretta was interviewed on Udinese Tonight

[ 07.10.2013 ]

Hosted on Udinese Tonight last night, Udinese Sports Manager Cristiano Giaretta talked about the situation of the team starting from the breaking news of the day, the match AC Milan-Udinese that will be played behind closed doors: "It is a pity to play in Milan behind closed doors. Unfortunately the Club is responsible for its supporters and the decision has to be accepted. Galliani asks himself if this is the right way to make these choruses (“chants”?) stop, but it's hard to find an answer. The bad thing is that we cannot enjoy the away match as we would, but the decision has been made. Other nations are examples of sportiveness (???), Italy is not. Possible solutions might be to make stadia private or to eliminate organized groups of supporters, even if it is not so easy in Italy".

Inevitable (“It’s inevitable…”?) to analyze the performance difference between home and away matches. AC Milan can be the right way to start over again: "We know the Friulian fan is not getting tired of the team. The stadium is temporary and is not full, but we know that as soon as we make the stadium perfect, we will have more people coming to the stadium and it will be full again. I am pleased by the fact that we do well at home. We need to improve our performances away (“our away matches”?). We haven't scored any points away so far, but we'll do so soon, it is a necessary step if we want to aim at something more than avoiding relegation. It's right to respect one's opponent, but sometimes we are too respectful. We are a strong team indeed. Sometimes we should be more aware of our strength. Muriel hasn't shown his full potential year, as well as other players, such as Pereyra or Badu. As soon as we recover these important elements we'll start flying high (hopefully not on drugs!). We need to win an away game, and AC Milan is the right chance. I don't think we are less than them".

The Sports Managers (why, are there are several of them?) is not (“are not”?) afraid of the next terrible fixtures scheduled for Udinese: "These matches give you an extra boost, they make you play at 150%. These are ideal matches to make a jump in quality. Tough fixtures are not a bad news, because they are a good spur (??). The 4-2-31 game plan? The coach is a strategist, he understood the tactical disposition of Cagliari and reacted. I don't know if this game plan is the future, but it is indeed an alternative. Bruno Fernandes? His time will come, as well as for other young players. All the boys are making the most of the midweek friendly matches. Also Jadson is being monitored. He'll have his chance as the others. They only have to do their best and be always ready".

Allan: "I have matured a lot in Udine"

The Brazilian midfielder Allan told us something about him (“himself”) during Udinese Tonight

[ 14.10.2013 ]

Hosted in last night's episode of Udinese Tonight, Udinese Brazilian midfielder Allan talked about his Italian experience: "Last year I didn't expect I would play so much and so well. I've been lucky, now I need to do more and more. I must work hard to make this be my special year. I feel to have matured a lot as a man and as a footballer, because playing away from your home, from your family makes you grow up".

A spectacular adventure so far, with one only regret, the lack of a goal: "Last year I didn't score any goals. In Parma I was very close. I think I didn't score because I was not very relaxed. This year I am working to try and score to help the team. Beyond my personal objectives, what matters to me is to play well for the team and win together".

Allan looks forward, thinking of the Seleçao: "I always think of my national team, even if it's hard to get in (??). it's impossible to be chosen for the World Cup because it's near and the group is hardly going to change, there are several players ahead of me, but perhaps my time will come in a few years' time. Udinese is a beautiful experience. I was perplexed when I first got here, but I feel fine here, I live well and it's possible to work very well thanks to the good environment, the coach and the trainers. I like the gratitude and affection of the fans, because it means you're doing a good job".

Focus (“Focused”?) on the next championship game, in Milan: "I don't like football without supporters, it would have been a shame to play in such a beautiful stadium as San Siro without supporters. AC Milan is a tough team to face, they are going through a negative time (“period”?) and they are eager to get out of it. It's going to be a battle, we need to play very well, be careful, follow the coach's instructions and score some points".

Udinese....

 

Udinese for Life inaugurates the "life path" at Moretti park

The non-profit organization will inaugurate the "life path" in the park on Saturday 28th September

[ 26.09.2013 ]

Here we go! Udinese for Life kept its promise to complete the recreational and sportive (“sports”?) area at the Udine Moretti park. Saturday 28th September at 15.00 will take place the inauguration of the "life path", an entertaining and effective training plan that develops strength, agility and resistance achieved thanks to suggestions and recommendations coming from cardiologists, nutritionists and doctors in motor science (“sports science” or “physical education”?). The Friulian sportsmen (and what about women?) who enjoy physical activity can now practice near home (“new their homes”?)! At the Moretti park they will find an equipped circuit throughout the park, characterized by the presence of signals (“signs”?) which indicate the right way to carry out an exercise and how many times (“and how many times to do that exercise”?), according to the athlete's age and preparation (“background”?).

Two of Decathlon's qualified technicians will be at the park from 15.00 (“3 pm”?) to teach all the people the right way to use the equipment. The "Free Time" agency will animate the afternoon until 17.00 (“5 pm”?). 

Come to the Moretti park to take a walk down the town's first "life path".

Summer perhaps?

From the "Il Venerdi'" magazine, which is part of "La Repubblica".  I think they meant "d'estate" (summer), and not "d'estare"!

 

Udinese....

"I want to conclude my career in Udine"

[ 21.06.2013 ] Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale clears doubts concerning his future and announces that he still wants to play for Udinese

Little talk and many facts. We've got used to this attitude of his in the past nine years spent (“that he’s spent”?) in Friuli, nine seasons in which he has become one of the world's top players allowing him to become one of the fans' all-time favourite players. Totò Di Natale was interviewed this morning by Udinese Channel: two minutes were enough, essential: "I've been staying in Udine (“I’ve been in Udine now for three days…”?) for three days for my daughter's recital - said the captain -. I couldn't miss it, it will play (???) tonight. I took the chance to come visit President Pozzo. We had a chat in his office, then I went and say (“then I went and said hi”?) hi to the children of the City Camps".  What about the rumours of you going to Milan?  "I feel flattered to feel the interest from top clubs after so many years of football. My contract with Udinese lasts another year, but I hope I can stay here even more. I have an appointment with Gino Pozzo next Monday to discuss a renewal of the contract. I've ever (??) said I want to conclude my career in Udine".

Udinese...

New Friuli stadium, renewal works (“renewal work has started”?) have started! 

The official note for the commitment of the works (“work”?) to move the football ground

[ 05.06.2013 ]

The long-awaited D-day for the Friulian fans has finally arrived! The renewal works (“work”?) at the Friuli stadium have finally begun yesterday (“finally began yesterday”?).

Yesterday morning the bulldozers have (“started”?) started the first works  (“work”?) that will lead to the renewal and movement of the football ground, to the realization of new benches for the teams and the referees, the enclosure of the construction site, the installation of the first row of seats of the West (“west”?) stand and the modification of its ditch.

The count-down to the new Friuli has begun!

Notice of contract awarded

1. Contracting authority: Udinese SpA, Via A. and A. Candolini n. 2, 33100 Udine, Italy - tel. +39.0432.544911 - Fax +39.0432.544933;

2. Chosen award procedure: negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to art. 57 paragraph 2 letter c) of the D.L.vo 163 2006;

3. Renewal of the "Stadio Friuli" - First Operational Lot - Rebuilding and moving of the football field, new benches for layers and referee's assistant, construction site enclosure, installation of west stand front row seats, modification of the parapet of the west grandstand ditch involving a total expenditure of € 1,669,255.34 - CPV 45210000 - CIG 470458063A;

3.1. Works (“work”?) subject to reduction of the auction € 953,719.63 for works on auction base; security charges amounting to € 23,024.14, not subject to auction reduction, the total amount of works: € 976,743.77;3.1.

3.2 prevailing Category: OS 24, Table II, spin-off Category likely to be subcontracted at the extent to art. 37, paragraph 11: OS 28, Table II;

4. Date of contract award: 04.06.2013;

5. Award criteria: the lowest price;

6. Number of offers received: 1;

7. Contractor: Adriacos S.r.l. Impresa Costruzioni Generali (parent company), based in Latisana (UD), Via Giovanni Agnelli. 2, loc. Crosere, C.F. and P.I. 01997529397; E.D. Plant S.r.l. (Principal), headquartered in Cividale del Friuli (UD), Via Crafts n. 69, C.F. and P.I. 01655110300; Paradello Green Jug Bertazzoli Snc (Principal) based in Rodengo Saiano (BS), Via Paradello 9, CF and P.I. 03276030172; Bauma Sportimpianti S.r.l. (co-opted Principal), headquartered in Villaorba (TV), via Verdi n. 65, C.F. and P.I. 00199260266;

8. Reduction offered: 19.20%;

9. Amount of the contract: € 793,629.60;

10. Delivery date works (“work”?): 06.05.13;

11. For further information: tel. +39.0432.544911, Fax. +39.0432.544933;

12. Name and address of the body responsible for review procedures and introduction of appeals: Regional Administrative Court of Friuli Venezia Giulia - Italy Piazza Unità d'n. 7, Trieste, 34121 - tel.: +39.040.6724711

Udine, 5 June 2013

The Chairman of the Board of Directors

Dott. Franco Soldati

"Udinese is the university of football"

Cristiano Giaretta: "I am proud to become a part of this Club (“club”?), I can't wait to start working"

[ 05.06.2013 ]

Udinese President Franco Soldati has presented this morning, in the press room of the Friuli stadium, Cristiano Giaretta as the new Sports Director of the club: "The new Director will start working from the 1st July and represents a very important piece of our organizational chart. We chose him for his abilities and because he is thought to match up with the standards that such a delicate role requires and to be the right substitute for Fabrizio Larini. He will be the point of reference and the glue between the club and the team and the club and fans".

Cristiano Giaretta is a former central defender with almost 20 years of experience lived (ah, not died???) on the Serie C pitches, in Lombardia (“Lombardy”?): "And with a period spent in the Serie B - said, laughing, the new Director - with Monza. In 88/89 I man-marked (ah, not dog-marked?) Totò De Vitis here at the Friuli, he gave me a hard time and even scored a goal". He started his managerial career right after quitting football: "I have been doing this job for seven years, the last two of which I spent in Novara. Udinese represents a great opportunity for my growth and to mature professionally because it's the University of football (yes siree, right up there with Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge…!). I feel excited and I am willing to learn. I will do my best to fit in this new group at once. I feel a great responsibility because Udinese have been doing great things in the past few years and I'd like to continue on that tradition and - possibly - make it better. I am proud to be part of this club and I can't wait for the 1st of July to arrive!".

How useful can the Serie B championship be for Udinese?

"The Serie B is an important market that has never been underestimated by Udinese. They are relying on their youth. It's a very important sector where we can find some interesting players".

What can your contribution be for the via (?????) Candolini club?

"My experience and some potentially innovative ideas. My priority right now is to adjust (“to adjust”?) in, in such a perfect machine. I have never worked for such an important club, but I am willing to give a good contribution to this club".

Have you had contacts with the fans yet?

"You can feel what being a Friulian means as you walk through the stadium's doors. There is a collective participation here, a whole region is involved as nowhere else. The Friulian people are extremely attached to this squad and I will be always available for them to talk of anything".

The Europa League is a new chapter in your career. What do you expect from this international adventure?

"We are all focused to pass the playoff (“play-off”?) rounds of this charming (???) competition".

What do you think of the renewal project for the Friuli stadium?

"It represents the brick that will allow this club to make a jump in quality" (literal translation of “salto di qualita’”?).

How did you like the just-finished season?

"Coach Guidolin has managed to make the best of the young talented players he had at disposal, many of whom have constantly grown. They got eight wins in a row, a hardly reachable (???) goal in the Serie A. Di Natale? I feel astonished by his stats, and some of his goals are just amazing. He is the benchmark of the squad".