Ahead of the Udinese's next Serie A fixture against Atalanta, Gabriele Cioffi took stock of the week since his left the Stadio Meazza with a 1-0 win over AC Milan.
“The lads have looked very motivated very focused this week, preparing for another important match,” he told the gathered media at a press conference on Saturday.
He explained that the seeds for victory in Milan were sown in the cup match against Cagliari.
“The senators of the team saw that the players pushing for a shirt can be relied upon. They know they don't have to carry the team by themselves and that makes a difference on an emotional perspective.”
One of the statistics to emerge from the game at the San Siro was Festy Ebosele hitting the highest speed recorded in Serie A – a blistering 37.8 km/h and Cioffi took some time to comment on the Irish starlet and his plethora of wing-back options.
“We're doing a lot of video work with the wide players to understand the spaces we need to cover without the ball, and the spaces we need to attack when we have the ball. A modern wide player has to be aware of the space not just on the flank but also inside, in midfield and behind the forwards.
“Ebosele has Joao Ferreira and Marley Ake pushing him to keep performing at his best. Jordan Zemura is doing really well on the other side and Kingsley Ehizibue is coming back and will put pressure on him.”
The coach also reiterated his confidence in his forward options.
“Isaac Success will score goals, as will Lorenzo Lucca and Florian Thauvin. And I can add Simone Pafundi and Vivaldo Semedo to that list. Until we get everything running as we want it to, we'll take goals however they come and if we have to scrape a 1-0, we'll take the best we can from every situation.
He also gave an insight into his relationhip with Lazar Samardzic.
“I play this little game with him, and the others. I ask him how you should run with the ball and he replies, 'Fast.' Then I ask him how you should run without the ball and he says, 'Even faster.' He hasn't reached his full potential yet but he's on the right track. He put in a solid defensive shift against Monza and against Milan he added flashes of quality too.”
The coach knows Atalanta will be no pushovers and if they are to get a result his side will need the same dogged work ethic seen in recent outings.
“Humility is the watchword. We needed humility to go to Monza and San Siro and dig in while trying to get a result and we need that same humility against Atalanta. What we've achieved is the result of hard work, humility and desire. That's what we need and what we want.”
As for his team selection: “Sandi Lovric is ready to play. I need to decide between him and Martin Payero. Thomas Kristensen and Adam Masina have both recovered and training. They're the only doubts I have. Apart from that I have the team clear in mind.”
Finally, Cioffi commented on the impending international break, which will deprive him of 11 players.
“Your national team is your national team. It's right that players should play for their national teams. It also helps them raise their game and their confidence. We'll find the time and the ways to work together.”