Udinese look for more success in Pisa

Pisa and Udinese meet at the Arena Garibaldi in the second of Sunday’s 15:00 CEST fixtures. Gilardino’s men started with a draw in Bergamo on their return to Serie A before losing to Roma two weeks ago. They are now looking to bounce back and give their fans an unforgettable afternoon. Udinese, meanwhile, remain unbeaten. After a draw against Verona on matchday 1 and a surprising victory over Inter at San Siro, their aim is to leave Tuscany with the full three points to start dreaming big.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

There have been 13 official meetings between the sides in Pisa, with a record of 4 wins for Pisa, 3 for Udinese, and 6 draws. The most recent encounter between the two teams in Tuscany dates back to May 1992 in Serie BKT: a 0–1 decided by a Scarafoni own goal. In Serie A, the last match between the sides played in Pisa was on 16 February 1986: Pisa–Udinese 0–0.

DID YOU KNOW?

In the month of September, Gilardino’s teams average 0.94 points per game, the result of 4 wins, 6 draws, and 9 defeats across 19 league fixtures. For the second consecutive season, Udinese have 4 points after the first two League matchdays. Including 2021/22, this has happened three times in the last five seasons.

COACHES and PLAYERS

This is the first official meeting between the two head coaches, Alberto Gilardino and Kosta Runjaic. Mbala Nzola has scored more goals in Italy against Udinese than against any other club: 3 (level with Atalanta and Torino). He has 29 Serie A goals to date; his first came on 7 November 2020, a brace in Benevento–Spezia 0–3. As a player, Alberto Gilardino scored 15 goals against Udinese—the most he managed against any club.

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: Okoye (Udinese) Cautioned: none

REFEREE

MASSA (MELI – ALASSIO) IV: MUCERA, VAR: MAGGIONI, AVAR: ABISSO

UPCOMING MATCHES IN SERIE A

Napoli-Pisa (Monday 22 September, 20.45 CEST) Udinese-Milan (Saturday 20 September, 20.45 CEST) (Photo Getty Images)