Antonio Di Natale reveals his personal objectives and Udinese's, and welcomes criticism: 'It brings me luck'.

The Zebrette are 14th in the standings in spite of the evergreen striker, who celebrated his birthday today and joined Luca Toni at 38.

“We struggle because we are a team trying to save itself, as every other year,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Unfortunately we're short of the points we lost against Palermo and Empoli, that's where the difference lies.

Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale says Mario Balotelli is 'impressive' enough that 'he will go to Euro 2016'.

The 38-year-old played the Euros of 2008 and 2012, and was alongside the Milan striker in the latter tournament.

“When he played against us [in September's Milan-Udinese, 3-2] he was impressive,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He's beyond discussion, he knows how to get things done.

Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale needed 25 stitches to a head injury during today’s 1-1 draw with Genoa.

The veteran striker sustained the injury in a nasty clash of heads with Sebastien De Maio, but carried on playing and even scored.

Blood was clearly seeping through the bandage on his skull and it later emerged why.

Udinese released a statement confirming Di Natale needed 25 stitches to patch up the wound over his left eyebrow.

Antonio Di Natale and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were on target as Udinese held Schalke 04 in a pre-season friendly.

The two clubs met in Klagenfurt with new Friulani boss Stefano Colantuono at the helm.

Edenilson wasted a golden early opportunity for the Italians, while Huntelaar almost made the most of a Simone Scuffet error and a last-ditch tackle stopped Leon Goretzka from scoring.

Huntelaar was already in great shape and hit the crossbar with a free kick from 25 metres, moments later breaking the deadlock on Goretzka’s cross.

Udinese begin pre-season training tomorrow and Antonio Di Natale has decided to stay for another year.

The striker had already considered retiring a year ago only to change his mind and has once again been talked into remaining at the Stadio Friuli.

It will be a staggered training camp, so some will arrive to start work on Monday and others on July 12.

They’ll be under the orders of new Coach Stefano Colantuono.

Antonio Di Natale has reportedly decided to stay with Udinese for another season after considering a move abroad.

The 37-year-old striker had originally announced his Serie A retirement last year only to change his mind.

He was looking at options including America’s MLS and Qatar for this summer.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Udinese have been able to convince Toto’ to extend his contract by another year.

This will allow him to play in the new Stadio Friuli, which has been under construction for a year.

Udinese confirmed Antonio Di Natale will reveal his future next week and Napoli are in talks for Allan.

Director of sport Cristiano Giaretta spoke to Sky Sport Italia about the current issues affecting the Stadio Friuli side.

“Di Natale’s response could come next week and we are confident. We believe he wants to continue playing for us. It will be an historic season, especially with the new stadium.

“Toto feels that he is part of this project.”

New Udinese Coach Stefano Colantuono says the Zebrette are similar to his former employer Atalanta because they target survival each season.  

The 52-year-old was today presented to the media for the first time in his new role and underlined his willingness to bring through youngsters and experiment with his team.

"Udinese is a club that many others look up to,” he said in today’s Press conference.

“Atalanta and Udinese are similar in many respects. Maintaining their Serie A status is the number one objective.

Coach Andrea Stramaccioni won't field Antonio Di Natale from the start, but hopes he'll stay with Udinese.

The Zebrette are up against Sassuolo today in a game that will be largely inconsequential, but could allow either team to climb a few spots in the standings ahead of season's end.

“We're coming from a positive game, one that represented a good comeback after the worrying decline we showed against Sampdoria,” he said, in reference to the good play shown by his team in their 2-1 loss to Roma.

Udinese sporting director Cristiano Giaretta isn’t sure whether Sunday’s game with Sassuolo will be Antonio Di Natale’s last at Friuli.

The Italian international was expected to leave the club at the end of the season, but later indicated that he may have changed his mind.

“In agreement with Toto, we want to keep things quiet until the end of the season,” Giaretta revealed, speaking to Tuttomercatoweb.