Felipe is hoping his first league goal will inspire Udinese to beat Panathinaikos.
Udinese's Brazilian starlet Felipe says that Saturday's 1-0 Serie A victory over Messina will act as an important morale boost as the Italian outfit look to keep their UEFA Champions League dream alive.The South American defender scored his first goal in Italian football to hand Serse Cosmi's side the win that took them into tenth in Serie A.
After attaining Champions League football in such memorable fashion last season the new campaign has been more of a struggle for Udinese, but Felipe is hoping that his maiden strike will inspire his team-mates to triumph over Greek outfit Panathinaikos on Tuesday.
"It has been a difficult match, anyway I'm happy to have scored my first Serie A goal," Felipe told Sky Italia.
"Messina closed themselves in a good way and it hasn't been easy.
"Champions League? On Tuesday it will be a really important match and this win gives us a big morale for the fundamental match with Panathinaikos."
Udinese currently lie equal on four points with both the Greek side and Werder Bremen in Group C, six points behind Spanish giants Barcelona, and the outcome of the midweek clash will go a long way to determining Cosmi's side's future in the competition.
