Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has paid tribute to former Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin for handing his debut in the UEFA Champions League.

Badu joined the Zebrette in 2010 after helping Ghana's Black Satellite clinch the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

The defensive midfielder was given his first taste of Europe's elite club competition when the Turin-based outfit travelled to London to engage Arsenal in the first leg of the playoff round.

Udinese lost that game 1-0 courtesy Theo Walcott's 4th minute minute solo strike.

In an interview with Hellas Verona media channel on Instagram, Badu paid tribute to coach Guidolin - who he still has an amiable relationship with - for giving him his first taste of Champions League football.

"Guidolin has helped me a lot. In that season with Udinese we had a great team. We had the chance to play against Arsenal, where we lost 1-0 in London. With Guidolin I played in the Champions League and in the Europa League, we finished third and fourth in the championship."

Badu joined Hellas Verona on loan from Udinese last summer.

He made 4 appearances before the season was halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak.