Udinese's coach decided to use this game to give the first start of the season to some of his players. The two central midfielders, as well as the 17-year-old defender who scored the owngoal and conceded the penalty, all started for the first time this season. For others, like the striker who started alongside Zaniolo, it was only their second start. Only three regulars started the game for Udinese.
Then again, last year Empoli did something similar, and they still eliminated us in the Coppa quarterfinals.