udinese remained in serie a for five seasons and almost claimed an historic scudetto in the 1954–55 season, when they came second only behind milan. it was after that season, however, that udinese was relegated because of an offence committed on 31 may 1953, the last day of the championship, which was exposed two years later. the friuliani returned to serie a after one season in b and in the following season was confirmed among the best italian teams with an excellent fourth-place finish.