Udinese

For anyone traversing the beautiful terrains of Italian football, Udinese’s journey holds a special charm. The Little Zebras, as they’re fondly known, are one of the oldest clubs in Italy, originating from the region of Friuli in 1896. After their debut in Serie A in 1950, Udinese has seen waves of progress and setbacks. Yet, their resilience always shines through, making them a mainstay in the top tier of Italian football.

Stars of the Udinese Galaxy

Udinese has been a launchpad for many players who’ve gone on to shine in football galaxies far and wide. A name that springs to mind immediately is Antonio Di Natale. The prolific striker spent the majority of his career at Udinese, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer and a true icon.

But the club has been more than just a one-star show. Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez displayed his brilliance at Udinese before going on to dazzle for clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal, and Inter Milan. Moreover, the club was instrumental in shaping the career of Oliver Bierhoff, who later starred for AC Milan and the German national team.

Rivalries that Keep the Heart Racing

Football without rivalries would be like pizza without cheese. And Udinese’s heated encounters never fail to add spice to Serie A. Their rivalry with Venezia, dating back to the 1950s, is one of the oldest in Italian football. Udinese also shares a keen rivalry with Palermo due to a series of competitive and often contentious matches in the mid-2000s.

Beyond Italy, Udinese’s participation in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League has led them to face off against big clubs like Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, stirring up some captivating international clashes.

Dacia Arena: More Than Just a Stadium

Immersing yourself in the electric atmosphere of Dacia Arena is a football fan’s dream. The Curva Nord, brimming with passionate Udinese fans, is a treat for the senses. Here, you can join the loudest and most fervent supporters for around 35 Euros.

For a panoramic view of the pitch and a quieter experience, the Tribuna Centrale is ideal. However, this prime location comes with a heftier price tag of around 85 Euros. The Distinti areas offer a mid-range option, balancing cost and view, with tickets priced around 55 Euros.

The Unending Udinese Adventure

In a nutshell, Udinese’s story is a tapestry of thrilling football, talent development, intense rivalries, and passionate supporters. This Friuli-based club has weathered the storm of Italian football to become a consistent feature in Serie A. And with the promise of exciting football at Dacia Arena, a journey with Udinese offers an enthralling, affordable, and truly Italian football experience.

Get to the Game

• Record-Breaking Striker: Antonio Di Natale has not only scored the most goals for Udinese, but he also holds the record for the most goals scored for a single club among active Serie A players, as of my knowledge cutoff in 2021.
• Impressive Goalkeepers: Udinese has been home to several notable goalkeepers over the years, including Samir Handanovic and Željko Brkić. Handanovic, in particular, gained recognition at Udinese before his move to Inter Milan, where he became one of the top goalkeepers in Europe.
• Reaching the UEFA Cup: Udinese has reached the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) several times, with their best performance coming in the 2008-2009 season when they reached the quarterfinals.
• First Non-Italian Player: Udinese was the first club in Italy to field a non-Italian player in a match. The player was Rolf Feltscher from Switzerland, who debuted in 1931.
• Serie B Champions: Udinese has been crowned champions of Serie B (the second tier of Italian football) twice – in 1955-56 and 1978-79.
• Club’s Mascot: The club’s mascot is a zebra, which is where their nickname “The Little Zebras” or “Zebrette” comes from. The zebra is prominently featured in the club’s logo.