Udine’s autumn schedule has become more difficult for David Alaba and Udinese, with the Austrian defender facing a spell on the sidelines just as the Friuli club seeks a response to its poor start in Serie A.
Key takeaways
- Alaba has sustained a muscle strain in his right calf and has begun rehabilitation.
- The former Real Madrid defender is expected to be unavailable until around November’s international break.
- He is set to miss fixtures against Milan, Parma, Roma and Venezia.
- Udinese have collected four points from seven league matches, recording one win, one draw and five defeats.
- Alaba has played 63 minutes across two appearances since joining the club as a free agent.
A brief and difficult beginning in Friuli
Alaba arrived in north-east Italy during the summer window after leaving Real Madrid, but his opening weeks in black and white have brought little continuity. He made his Udinese debut on 12 October, entering for the final 18 minutes of a 2-1 defeat away to Torino.
His first start came at home against Lecce last Sunday. Udinese were already two goals down by half-time in a match that exposed serious defensive problems, and Alaba was withdrawn at the interval as Lecce went on to win 3-0.
The 63 minutes accumulated in those two games now represent his entire competitive contribution for the club so far. Medical staff will review his condition each week while he works through his recovery programme.
November return remains the target
Udinese expect the calf problem to rule Alaba out of their upcoming matches with Milan, Parma, Roma and Venezia. The Venezia game on 6 November could prove too soon, with a more realistic return date falling after the international window, when Bologna visit on 22 November.
The absence comes at an awkward point for a side already under pressure. Udinese’s seven-match league record — one victory, one draw and five losses — has left them with only four points, making the next run of fixtures significant for the club’s attempt to steady its season.
