Guidolin happy with Pazienza

Francesco Guidolin has welcomed Michele Pazienza back to Udinese and confirmed that he could feature for the Zebrette as soon as tomorrow night.

Ahead of final preparations for the team’s midweek clash against Lecce, the tactician welcomed the acquisition from Juventus, who will serve as immediate cover for Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah.

“We are very happy,” Guidolin declared. “He’s a good player, a very serious professional and a good guy.

“At this time and for the near future we need fresh reinforcements. So I welcome him, trusting that he knows how to help.

“Udine is a place that he already knows, even if he is entering into a new group,” reflected Guidolin, in reference to Pazienza’s previous spell with the Zebrette between 2003 and 2007.

“We’re waiting to do a final training session with the team, we are focused only on Lecce. If he is alright then he could play, there should be no problems.”

Mehdi Benatia returns from the Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow, but he is unlikely to feature until the weekend, admitted the Coach, as he anticipated Wednesday’s match and its bitter conditions.

“Tomorrow, the field will be frozen and it will be cold, but we will not have any kind of advantage of disadvantage against our opponent.

“Playing in January and in the evening is never a good thing.”