|
Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo is confident he will be able to convince Antonio Di Natale not to retire from football this winter, saying there are at least another five months to come from the 38-year-old forward. The former Italy international cost Udinese just €100,000 when he joined them from Empoli in 2004, and he has scored 226 goals in 437 games for the Zebrette. Natale has found the back of the net only once this season, however, and there had been reports that Sunday's game against Torino might be his last. "He's going to call it a day next year," said Pozzo to Sky Sport Italia after his side's 1-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico. "He showed again today that he's still got a lot to give. "Maybe he doesn't have the energy he had when he was a young lad, but that is because he now has class and quality. He had some precious touches again today and was important for our win, and he's going to be useful to us still." Udinese coach Stefano Colantuono said in early December that Di Natale needs to be left "in peace" to reflect on his future amid the retirement rumours, describing the forward as a "model professional." Sunday's win lifted Udinese seven points clear of the relegation zone, though they could still do with Di Natale to help them reach their targets this season. The Naples-born forward scored 14 goals last term and has reached double figures in each of his last nine seasons.
|
