Cristian Battocchio vindicated Gianfranco Zola's decision to start the Watford midfielder

1:05pm Monday 14th January 2013 in Watford FC News Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Cristian Battocchio vindicated Gianfranco Zola's decision to play the midfielder ahead of John Eustace and Mark Yeates on Saturday, according to the Hornets' head coach.

Battocchio was handed just his second start for Watford during the 2-1 victory away to Middlesbrough and the 20-year-old didn't disappoint, putting in an accomplished display.

Jonathan Hogg, Almen Abdi and Nathaniel Chalobah have seemingly become Zola's first choice trio in midfield, with John Eustace out injured for most of the season, although Mark Yeates has made 16 starts during the 2012/13 campaign.

Eustace returned from injury against Manchester City as part of a 3-4-3 formation, with Hogg and Abdi out, but it was Battocchio who was handed a place in the starting XI when the Hornets returned to 3-5-2 at the weekend, with Abdi also back in the team.

Zola said: "John played a game after four months out against Manchester City and normally when you come back from a longer injury, the first game is always very good but in the second you start to drop and that was one reason [why Battocchio started].

"The second reason is that Battocchio is a midfielder who has done very well every time I have played him and for the type of game we were going to play, he was more suited to the match than John and Mark Yeates. Mark has done very well for us but I needed that type of midfielder. The way Cristian played, he proved me right."

Battocchio has made eight appearances for Watford since he joined on loan from Udinese in the summer.

The 20-year-old midfielder was born in Argentina but left Newell's Old Boys three years ago to join Udinese.

He was highly-rated in Argentina and reportedly trained with the Old Boys' first team when he was just 14.

Battocchio has made nine appearances for the Udinese first team in the last couple of years and came on as a substitute against Fiorentina earlier this season.

The creative midfielder is an Italy Under-20 international for his adopted country.

Comments(15)

mattymashup says...
1:51pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Good thing he played well and we won or Zola would have taken a hammering on here for daring to make a change.

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not a regular says...
1:55pm Mon 14 Jan 13

He's only 20?! That picture doesn't do him any favours. Look forward to seeing him in the flesh (for a full game this time) at the vic soon.

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Travelling Hornet says...
1:55pm Mon 14 Jan 13

I liked the look of him when we were first linked earlier this season and Utube'd all his clips from Argentina and Italy .
Hope we sign him because he will be a star.
Think GZ is right to ease him into the side gradually .
Like him to get a run of games , but can't see him playing Saturday.

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Bringe says...
2:02pm Mon 14 Jan 13

When Vydra starts then so should Abdi and Battochio it's that simple ... Matty had four gilt edged chances 2nd half against Boro and usually that's two certain goals.... His hatrick looms closer but he definitely needs that defence splitting service.

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Harry's Bar says...
2:06pm Mon 14 Jan 13

I only saw the Football League highlights show but thought he looked like a player. Intelligent, incisive passing moving the ball forward quickly. Can he look after himself when people try to kick him up in the air, that's my only worry.

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a1derek says...
2:14pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Definitely think he is well over due a run in the team. Has looked quality every time he's been on the pitch for us.

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watford1881 says...
2:24pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Next season he'll get more of a chance when chelsea call back a certain midfielder..

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Hampshire hornet says...
5:03pm Mon 14 Jan 13

This guy is going to be a future Full Italy international player, he is under the right stewardship with GFZ.. We are building one Hell of a squad to see us through the next 5-10 years, the wealth of young talent has to be recognised

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jasonwatford says...
5:09pm Mon 14 Jan 13

This boy is class...has touch and has vision....id play him ahead of any other as long as abdi with him.

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rousman 2 says...
6:07pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Mr Duxbury said they we would make some of the loan signings Watford players in the January window, we are half way through the window & as yet nothing. QPR, West Ham & Southampton are all very interested in Vydra (and who can blame them) I think by the end of the month we will know if we are a Udinese shop window or not.

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Bringe says...
7:12pm Mon 14 Jan 13

rousman 2 wrote:
Mr Duxbury said they we would make some of the loan signings Watford players in the January window, we are half way through the window & as yet nothing. QPR, West Ham & Southampton are all very interested in Vydra (and who can blame them) I think by the end of the month we will know if we are a Udinese shop window or not.
Your post make no sense as we have them until the end of the season at the very least and even then they are still Pozzo players to do with as they like.
And none of those clubs will even get a sniff of Vydra while we are so well poised to hit the automatic spots before the window closes.

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DuffmanWFC says...
7:43pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Well I don't mind us being an apparent Udinese shop window if it means WE have quality players! Vydra, Abdi, Forestieri, Pudil, Ekstrand and Geijo are top players who would walk into all the sides in the Championship and many of the Premier League squads!
I can't see Udinese accepting any offers from English sides unless it was massive! Realistically Vydra won't fetch over £5M and before anyone goes on about Zaha at Palace and he is up for £10M that's over the top because he will be classed as a home grown player for Man UTD or Arsenal's Champions League requirements!

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Bringe says...
7:48pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Vydra is better than Zaha will ever be

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jasonwatford says...
8:05pm Mon 14 Jan 13

rousman2 Fernando has just signed for five years,,,ok now u plank ?

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jasonwatford says...
8:05pm Mon 14 Jan 13

rousman2 Fernando has just signed for five years,,,ok now u plank ?

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