The Friulani were the last Italian side left in Europe after Milan, Fiorentina and Sampdoria last in the UEFA Cup last 32 and Juventus, Inter and Roma fell in the Champions League.

Udinese had a tough test against the holders, but Zenit had never beaten an Italian side - they lost and drew against Juve in Champions League Group H.

Pasquale Marino started with a three-man attack of Simone Pepe, Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale.

Udinese made a fast start with Pepe's cross so nearly finding Quagliarella in the box.

Di Natale volleyed a Pepe cross from the edge of the box, Malafeev blocked and then gathered the rebound.

Quagliarella headed another Pepe ball but the ball fizzed past the post with the 'keeper stranded.

And Udinese went close once again as Quagliarella controlled the ball in the area, shrugged off Tymoschuk and fired milimeters wide of the post.

Azzurri hitman Quagliarella saw a long-range drive flash past the post.

It was all Udinese and just before half-time Di Natale skipped past Tymoshcuk but his cross was just over Gyan Asamoah.

Marino's men had a shock after the break when Tymoshcuk launched a fierce right-footed drive past Samir Handanovic which struck the post.

Di Natale volleyed a deft Quagliarella ball and Malafeev made a tough save and he made a superb save to deny Inler.

On the counterattack Zenit came close as Zyrianov's blast forced a good diving save from Handanovic.

The Udinese custodian was called into action again to deny Zyrianov from inside the box.

The Russians were pushing hard and a mistake from Maurizio Domizzi allowed Denisov to feed Tekke but Zapata got back to make a miraculous challenge.

Coach Marinoi was sent to stands as he complained about the lack of a free-kick for a foul on Pepe.

Di Natale forced another decent stop from Malafeev before Andrea Coda had to come off injured.

Udinese got their breakthrough late in the game as Quagliarella scored in the 85th minute!

Pepe worked wonders and broke into the box from the right past Sirl to present Quagliarella with a simple chance to slot home, even if he scuffed his shot.

Tymoshcuk went close, but then Udinese were awarded a penalty in the last minute.

Zapata was brought down in the box after a Gaetano D'Agostino free-kick and Shirokov was dismissed for his protests.

Di Natale converted the kick and gave Udinese a crucial 2-0 lead for the second leg.

Udinese: Handanovic; Zapata, Coda (Felipe 84), Domizzi, Pasquale; Inler (Obodo 79), D'Agostino, Asamoah; Pepe (Isla 87), Quagliarella, Di Natale

Zenit St Petersburg: Malafeev; Anyukov, Krizanac, Shirokov, Sirl; Tymoshcuk, Zyrianov, Denisov; Danny, Pogrebnyak (Tekke 62), Husztl (Semshov 62)

Ref: Gonzalez (Spa)\

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