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Kosta Runjaić’s Press Conference Words, Udinese Coach, on the Eve of the Next Match against Hellas Verona.

Last day of the first round of Serie A, the first of 2025. In the Saturday night post-match, Hellas Verona hosts Udinese. After 4 consecutive losses and the risk of dismissal for coach Paolo Zanetti, the home team has obtained 6 points in the last 3 matches, beating Parma and Bologna away and moving out of the relegation zone: they are currently tied at 18 points with Como and Parma.

The Friulians saw a 2-goal lead slip away in the last home game against Torino: a 2-2 draw that prevented the Bianconeri from closing in on Milan and Bologna in the Europa League zone. Approaching the halfway point, the standings are still good: 9th position with 24 points, and a comfortable 10-point gap from the relegation zone.

Hellas Verona-Udinese: Runjaić Presents the Challenge in a Press Conference

Udinese coach Kosta Runjaić spoke at a press conference on the eve of the Bentegodi trip: “We will play against a team that has caused problems for opponents in the past. We will need to use all the energy available, we know how important this match is for both teams.”

“I expect an intense match with many duels, we will face a team that defeated Bologna, which will give them an extra boost. Now, playing at home, they will be supported by the fans, they quickly turn the tide, they are aggressive and unpredictable, they managed to beat opponents much higher in the standings. We will bring our style of play to the field.”

Verona has conceded many goals
“We know Verona’s numbers, they are the team that has conceded the most goals, but many against Atalanta and Inter. They have often changed players and formations, we know they will put in a lot of energy and we must be sharp in the duels. Sometimes you don’t need to overthink, we know the opponent’s situation very well but also our own, every point is important to us. Three points would be a big leap for us. These are words, then we have to prove it on the field.”

Florian Thauvin ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

On Individual Players
“I’m glad to have Payero back, he was playing well before getting injured. He brings stability and could definitely play tomorrow. He doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs yet. But we also have Lovric and Atta, who have been consistent performers. Karlstrom is always playing with very organized performances, but he still needs to improve in some aspects; it’s good to have more options“.

“Zarraga needs a bit more time to return. Ekkelenkamp is improving, but he can be more decisive, he can score more goals. I can’t say if he will play with Payero or if there will be other solutions. Ekkelenkamp has been playing a lot in recent weeks, sometimes pushing beyond his limits, it doesn’t mean he won’t play tomorrow but at the moment with Payero and Atta, we have two fresh players“

Davis’ Return: Attack with 2 or 3?
“Besides Davis, we can also use the trident with Lucca, but in any case, I want a player in the center capable of holding the ball and facing duels like Davis and Lucca. However, if we use the trident, we lose a player in midfield and we don’t yet have the necessary stability, we are still conceding avoidable goals. With Thauvin and Sanchez, we can form a trident with Lucca, or with Iker Bravo in the playmaker role. We are trying different solutions, between Como and Atalanta we will have 9 days to train and there I can make different evaluations“

On Solet
“He is available, but I can’t tell you if he will actually play. He played with 4 at Salzburg, but he can also play well with 3 both as a central pivot and as a side defender, he is a good guy, with a good football education, calm with the ball at his feet. We know what he lacks, we are giving him the right advice to improve, he is also a unique player in our squad, now he needs to find minutes“.

“We will see if he will start or if he will come on as a substitute, he is a great help because he also brings experience, he is a central defender who has been followed by top-level teams and is still young, I hope he doesn’t get injured, that he continues like this. He is working well, but Serie A is Serie A, he will need a period of adaptation“

LORENZO LUCCA ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

On the Transfer Market
“We will finish the first round first, then we will analyze the numbers, data, and positions on the field based on different formations, we want to develop an objective analysis and make reflections for the future. No team on the planet stands still, everyone thinks about reinforcements based on positions. We will reflect on what we need“

Will Sanchez gradually get more playing time?
“Maybe. These are questions all coaches reflect on, it depends on the players who take the field, on the idea you want to implement during the match. We know Alexis but we know he has just returned, we have Thauvin in great form, Lucca. You may wonder why Sanchez isn’t playing, but many things need to align. After the matches, you always know more, during the week you reflect in general and make decisions“.

“Many things have worked well, we need to improve in other areas. The focus is not on the individual but on the overall situation, sometimes there is too much thinking, currently I can’t give a concrete answer on the duration of a potential substitution. It depends on many things, including the responses given in the minutes granted, you may also wonder if it makes sense to play a player for only 2 minutes, there is not always a right answer“