Di Natale absence hurting Udinese

Udinese sporting director Fabrizio Larini lamented the absence of striker Antonio Di Natale after their 2-0 loss to Napoli on Wednesday.

The Italy international, who has netted six league goals this campaign, missed the Serie A clash through injury, and his team failed to make an impact without him at Stadio Sao Paolo.

Goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Christian Maggio saw Walter Mazzarri’s team inflict Udinese’s first loss of the season.

Larini said Udinese felt the absence of Di Natale and midfielder Mauricio Isla.

“Numbers talk for Di Natale. Obviously you miss a player like him when he’s not on the pitch,” Larini said.

“But I think we missed Isla too, who is a very important player for us.”

Udinese had been surprise league leaders heading into the encounter, but the loss has seen them slip to second – a point behind Juventus.

Only six points separate first and 11th place, and Larini is expecting a tight championship race.

“The championship is very balanced up to now and I think it will remain balanced for a while – then, of course, we will have a clearer picture,” he said.

“We remain in a favourable position, we know we have different targets compared to Napoli’s and we accept this first defeat with great calm.”

Udinese will have the chance to bounce back from the loss when they host Palermo on Sunday.