During the press conference to present Federico Balzaretti, General Manager Franco Collavino also grabbed the opportunity to discuss some key topics such as the club’s pre-season training camp plans, friendlies, the make-up of the coaching staff and the stadium.
“The partnership that has just come to an end with Dacia after 13 years has done so in a fantastic way and represents mutual growth. Dacia has boosted sales and Udinese have enhanced the stadium in a unique and very interesting way. Obviously, strategies change after 13 years. We’re involved in different rounds of negotiations, but haven’t yet finalised anything for the short term in terms of our stadium naming rights, but we’re working in a very intense way.
“We hope that the fruit of our labour will be a new long-lasting partnership.
“In terms of the preparations for next season, the team will train between 10 and 16 July in Udine before going to Bad Kleinkirchheim in Austria on the 17th until 29 July, while there is an option to add a few days to the camp. The team will play in four friendlies over there.
“The first friendly will be staged here against a local team on Sunday 16 July.
“The opening friendly in Austria will take place on 19 July against a local outfit, on the 22nd against Pafos, the 25th against Leipzig and the 29th against Union Berlin. We’re still looking into another friendly on 4 or 5 August, possibly at home or away. Those are the dates, so we will update you on the location in the coming days.
“As for the coaching staff, it is being put together but the operational team needed to get to work as of 10 July is ready. Antonio Bovenzi is back with us as the head of fitness, having signed a two-year deal in place of Cristian Bella.
“We’re also welcoming a mental coach to the staff called Eugenio Vassalle.
“With regard to the season-ticket campaign, it will be unveiled on 13 July and kick off on 14 July.”