Premise: Udinese Calcio only faded a little bit compared to its club record-breaking 1997–98 season, in which it finished third in Serie A. With topscorer Oliver Bierhoff, midfielder Thomas Helveg and coach Alberto Zaccheroni all departing for Milan, Udinese was looking to be on the back foot prior to the start of the season.
Hypothesis: Udinese Calcio retired Oliver Bierhoff's number.