Udinese’s first outing under Zanetti comes against Venezia

Matchday 11 of Serie A gets underway at the Penzo with a crucial relegation battle. Venezia, whose only win of the season so far came in a match against Napoli on 17 October, host an Udinese side who have just appointed former Venezia coach Paolo Zanetti and are looking for three points to leapfrog their opponents in the table. The new Udinese coach will be determined to make a winning start and turn things around quickly, with the Bianconeri having picked up just one point from their last eight matches.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been 26 previous competitive meetings between the two sides in Venezia: 14 wins for Venezia (most recently 2-1 in Serie A 2024/25), 4 draws (most recently 1-1 in Serie A 1999/00) and 8 wins for Udinese (most recently 2-1 in Serie A 2021/22).

DID YOU KNOW?

Venezia have gone 311 minutes without scoring: their last goal was scored by Adams in the 49th minute of Venezia-Napoli 1-0.

Venezia have conceded more penalties than any other team after 10 Matchdays (3, level with Atalanta, Sassuolo and Frosinone).

Venezia have had fewer different goalscorers than any other team (4, level with Cagliari and Parma).

Venezia have scored fewer goals than any other team (6).

Udinese have conceded more goals than any other team in the final 15 minutes of the first half, including stoppage time: 7 of their 23 league goals conceded have come in that period.

Udinese are winless in their last 8 matches: 7 defeats and 1 draw (Parma-Udinese 0-0), after collecting 4 points from their opening 2 Matchdays.

Udinese have dropped more points in the second half compared with their position at half-time than any other team (-6).

COACHES and PLAYERS

This will be the 6th official meeting between Davide Nicola and Paolo Zanetti: the current Venezia coach is unbeaten in the previous 5, with 2 wins and 3 draws.

Both coaches face one of their former clubs: Nicola managed Udinese from November 2018 to March 2019 in Serie A, recording 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 defeats in 15 competitive matches. Zanetti, meanwhile, coached Venezia from July 2020 to April 2022, leading them to promotion to Serie A and recording 25 wins, 25 draws and 31 defeats in 81 competitive matches.

Nicolò Zaniolo scored against his former club Roma: the forward found the net in Serie A for the first time in 9 months, since Torino-Udinese 1-2 on 7 January 2026.

Matteo Palma scored against Roma: it was the Italian defender’s 1st career Serie A goal and his 2nd goal in professional football, after previously scoring in Sampdoria-Avellino 2-1 on 22 March 2026 in Serie B.

DISCIPLINE 

Suspended: none

Cautioned: Karlstrom (Udinese)

REFEREE

SACCHI J.L. (IMPERIALE – MONDIN) IV: BONACINA, VAR: GARIGLIO, AVAR: PEZZUTO

UPCOMING MATCHES

Juventus-Venezia (22/11, 12.30)

Bologna-Udinese (22/11, 15.00)

(Photo Getty Images)