Guidolin plays down expectations

Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin says he would be content with a place in the Europa League for next season.

Ahead of their trip to Siena on Sunday, Udinese sit fifth and will go third if they win and Napoli lose to Juventus.

Despite being a serious chance of claiming a Champions League place, Guidolin said a spot in the second-tier European club competition would be a good result.

“We must not lose sight of our real situation and expectations. The Europa League is also important for this club and not just the Champions League,” Guidolin said.

“I don’t know if we’ll get into either, but in the meantime we’re in the running and want to do our best.”

Guidolin said he was pleased with the way his team had fared this season, a campaign after securing a place in the Champions League playoffs.

“We had a difficult and complicated season and it’s very gratifying we’re in that position in the table right now,” he said.

“It means the team are playing a good season once more – then we’ll see.

“Around us, just behind and above us, close to us in the table we have teams that have – I don’t know – let’s say they are much bigger realities.”

While Udinese are winless in their past four league outings, Lazio and Napoli have also struggled recently.

Meanwhile, Guidolin praised newly promoted Siena for their performances this season, with Giuseppe Sannino’s side sitting six points clear of the relegation zone.

“Siena are a good team in our league because they’re a team that managed to be safe from the relegation zone thanks to their play,” Guidolin said.

“They’re very organised and they work well thanks to their coach, who deserved to reach the Serie A because he arrived here with good results and starting from the bottom, so I send my compliments to Sannino.”