Preview:Udinese vs Carrarese - prediction, team news, lineups

After ending last season on a down note, Udinese will seek a sharp start to the 2025-26 campaign when they host Carrarese in the Coppa Italia.

The teams meet for a first round tie on Monday, with the Serie A side expected to beat second-tier opponents.

Match preview

Despite taking the lead through star man Lorenzo Lucca, Udinese lost 3-2 at home to Fiorentina on the final day of last season, wrapping up a grim end to an otherwise promising campaign.

Having moved a comfortable distance away from the drop zone by March, the Friulani then lost eight of their last 10 league matches, picking up just four points.

Kosta Runjaic saw his side claim only one from their final five games in Udine, even suffering a 2-1 defeat to hapless basement-dwellers Monza, but they still finished 12th.

While that represents an improvement on their last-ditch survival act one year before, Udinese will now target a return to Serie A's top half.

Lucca has left for Napoli, but Runjaic has since added some fresh blood - such as Scotland star Lennon Miller - and his team finished with three straight wins in pre-season.

While Udinese were knocked out in the Coppa Italia's third round by Inter Milan last season, Carrarese suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Cagliari, losing 3-1 in Sardinia.

The Giallazzurri are Tuscan minnows from a town best known for producing legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, but they have recently punched above their weight.

After defying expectations to prevail in the 2024 Serie C playoffs, beating Vicenza in the final, they achieved a mid-table finish in Serie B last term, ending up 12th with 45 points.

Head coach Antonio Calabro not only led Carrarese to promotion, but then kept them in Italy's second tier, and he may even hope for a playoff push this season.

Before starting with a tough trip to Spezia next week, Calabro's men must try to topple Udinese in the cup - doing so would set up a round-two tie with either Cremonese or Palermo in September.

Udinese pre-season form: D L W W W W

Carrarese pre-season form: L L W

Team News

Building up to their Serie A opener against Hellas Verona, Udinese may field a few fringe players and rising stars on Monday evening.

Though Lorenzo Lucca, Jaka Bijol, Florian Thauvin and Lautaro Giannetti have departed, Bianconeri boss Kosta Runjaic can call upon new signings such as Saba Goglichidze, Lennon Miller and Jakub Piotrowski.

In attack, veteran striker Alexis Sanchez is among several men in contention, alongside Keinan Davis, Simone Pafundi, Brenner and Iker Bravo.

Meanwhile, Carrarese have lost loan striker Stiven Shpendi, but Mattia Finotto - scorer of their winning goal in the 2024 Serie C playoff final - remains at the club and should start.

At the end of pre-season, the Tuscan side lost to top-flight opponents Lecce and Fiorentina but beat little Camaiore. Since then, Fabio Ruggeri has signed from Lazio and young forward Fabio Abiuso joined on a four-year deal from Modena.

Udinese possible starting lineup: Sava; Modesto, Kabasele, Goglichidze, Kamara; Piotrowski, Zarraga, Payero, Atta; Sanchez, Davis

Carrarese possible starting lineup: Bleve; Zanon, Illanes, Imperiale, Oliana, Bouah; Schiavi, Melegoni, Cicconi; Abiuso, Finotto