Guidolin regrets Udinese profligacy

20 December 2012 03:47

Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin was left to rue missed chances as his team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Fiorentina in Coppa Italia.

Udinese were knocked out in front of their home fans at the Stadio Fruili after Borja Valero's shot looped over Daniele Padelli to seal the victory, but the coach believes the fans will understand the loss.

"The Viola (Fiorentina) are a great side with a young coach like Vincenzo Montella who will go far," Guidolin said.

"We lacked the requisite clinical edge and sharpness. It's a shame, but we played well and I think our fans will stand by us."

The losing coach admitted he was disappointed after his team's dominance in the game failed to bring a goal.

"Football is made up of incidents. We were close to a goal so many times, but conceded basically an own-goal down to a deflection that allowed Fiorentina to qualify."

The defeat ends the only real chance of Udinese gaining any silverware this season after the club was knocked out of the Champions League and the Europa league.

Fiorentina coach Montella admitted his team did not play their best football but believed their desire got them through.

"Udinese did well and created scoring opportunities, but we were clinical and I really liked the way the team approached it," he said.

Fiorentina will now face Roma in the quarter-finals.