Larini wary of anti-Udinese sentiment

Udinese sporting director Fabrizio Larini said there are people who do not want to see his team in the Champions League next season.

The Friuli executive was dismayed at the decision that saw Diego Fabbrini dismissed against Napoli at the weekend, with the red card allowed Walter Mazzarri’s side back into the game and they recovered from a two-goal deficit to score twice in the final 10 minutes to claim a 2-2 draw.

A win would have seen Udinese move into third position in Serie A, the final Champions League qualification spot, and Larini said he senses a conspiracy.

“We think that Udinese in the fight for a Champions League place can be a nuisance (to the other clubs),” Larini told Gazetta dello Sport.

“In reality we are small side struggling with the metropolitan clubs which have considerably more significance, so it is obvious that one could begin to think the worse.”

Udinese are currently fifth in the Serie A standings with 47 points from 28 games, just one point behind Lazio in third. They will look to end a three-game winless streak when they travel to Palermo at the weekend.