Udinese leave Dinamo clutching at straws

A 2-1 win against NK Dinamo Zagreb sealed Udinese Calcio's passage to the UEFA Cup Round of 32, but the campaign is all but over for the visitors.

Too late
Fabio Quagliarella struck in the fifth minute at the Friuli Stadium before Christian Obodo put the game beyond the opposition's reach with eleven minutes remaining to book Udinese's progress from Group D. Igor Bišćan reduced the deficit in added time but it was too little too late for Dinamo.

Early breakthrough
Udinese could not have asked for a better start with Quagliarella latching on to Antonio Di Natale's cross and firing a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Tomislav Butina. The goal inspired the Italian hosts who almost doubled their lead soon after, Butina making an acrobatic save from Obodo's long-range effort.

Good goalkeeping
The Croatian side, playing their final group match, did threaten ten minutes in when Mihael Mikić forced goalkeeper Samir Handanovič to stretch to clear his powerful strike from distance. An unmarked Di Natale should have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards but failed to beat Butina in a one-on-one, his attempt being parried away by the No1.

Consolation goal
On the half-hour mark, Dinamo almost pulled level but Mirko Hrgović's stinging drive went centimetres wide of the far post, and the same player tried his luck again after the interval to similar effect. However, Simone Pepe set up Obodo to extend Udinese's advantage and while Bišćan headed a belated reply following confusion in the home area, the die was cast.

Theoretical chance
Nine points mean that Udinese are sure to qualify, and they will be guaranteed top spot with a draw or better in their final fixture at NEC Nijmegen. Dinamo have completed their Group D programme, but three points could still see them through if NEC and FC Spartak Moskva lose by substantial margins on Matchday 5.