19 April 2009
Udinese were still smarting from their UEFA Cup exit at the hands of Werder Bremen (3-1 in Germany on 9 April, 3-3 in Udine on 16 April) when Fiorentina visited the Stadio Friuli in Serie A Week 32. Pasquale Marino's side was shorn of Antonio Di Natale – whose season had been ended by a knee injury sustained during Italy's 2-0 win over Montenegro in Podgorica – and were playing catch-up in the race for European football following a disastrous run between November 2008 and January 2009 when they picked up just three points in 11 games. Their form had picked up since then, however, and they proved too much for the Viola, running out 3-1 winners on the day.
Among the best performers were Kwadwo Asamoah, who opened the scoring in the 10th minute following a rapid counter-attack, and Gaetano D'Agostino, considered to be the league's best playmaker at the time, who notched brace: a penalty in the 17th minute and a free kick in the 69th, after Dario Dainelli (67) had briefly reduced the arrears.
Udinese went on to claim five wins and a draw (2-2 away to Sampdoria) in their last six league games, climbing into seventh place – sadly not quite enough to earn a spot in the newly rebranded Europa League the following campaign.
Marino's starting line-up against Fiorentina was Handanovic, Isla, Zapata, Felipe, Lukovic; Inler, D’ Agostino (Obodo 85), Asamoah; Pepe (Domizzi 76), Quagliarella, Sanchez (Floro Flores 82).