Udinese, only side in Serie A with no goals off the bench
Udinese are the only team in Serie A this season yet to score with goals from substitutes.
Goal from the back
At the start of the winter break, Udinese had the highest percentage of goals from the back: their defence has contributed 8 goals from a total of 26, 30.8% overall.
Udinese: draw specialists
Udinese have drawn nine matches in Serie A this season, the most in the top flight. Inter, on the other hand, are one of four teams to have recorded the fewest number of stalemates: 2, along with Juventus, Pescara and Roma.
Rocchi in search of his 100th goal in Serie A
New signing Tommaso Rocchi is just one away from his 100th career goal in Serie A. The first of Rocchi’s 99 – 17 with Empoli, 82 with Lazio – came on 29 September 2002 during Perugia 1-3 Empoli.
Milito set to make his 200th appearance in Italian football
Should Diego Alberto Milito play today, he will celebrate his 200th appearance in Italian football. His current total of 199 – compiled with Genoa and Inter – comprises 140 matches in Serie A and 59 in Serie B. Milito’s debut in Italian football came on 1 February 2004 during Genoa 1-1 Ascoli in Serie B.
Cassano: Epiphany expert
Antonio Cassano enjoys playing on 6 January, having managed 4 goals in Serie A on this day. Since 1994/95 – the year it became three points for a win – Cassano is third in the all-time scorers on 6 January, alongside Borriello (Genoa) and Crespo. Top of the charts with 5 goals, Vieri and Di Vaio. Cassano’s four strikes on Epiphany have come in the following matches: Roma 3-1 BARI (2001), ROMA 1-2 AC Milan (2004), Lazio 3-1 ROMA (2005) and SAMPDORIA 1-1 Palermo (2010). However Cassano never ended on the winning side on these occasions, losing three and drawing one.
Inter unbeaten in first match of the new year since 1999
Inter have never lost their first outing of a new calendar year since the start of the new millennium. The Nerazzurri’s last defeat in their first game after Christmas came on 6 January 1999, with a 1-0 defeat at Parma. Since then Inter have won 9 and drawn 4 over a period of 13 years.
Stramaccioni victorious on previous meeting
This is the second time Francesco Guidolin and Andrea Stramaccioni meet each other: it was the Nerazzurri coach who came out on top on 14 April 2012 in their only previous meeting, with Inter winning 3-1 in Udine.
Nerazzurri well on top
Guidolin has pitted his wits against Inter on 29 occasions but the current Udinese coach has managed just 6 wins and 6 draws, while the Nerazzurri have won 17.
Stramaccioni won his only match against Udinese
Andrea Stramaccioni prepares to take on Udinese for the second time as a coach. The Nerazzurri coach brought home the three points from his only previous meeting with today’s opponents, as Inter ran out 3-1 winners at the Stadio Friuli on 14 April 2012.
Source: inter.it