Gabriele Cioffi knows there's a lot riding on Sunday's home match against Hellas Verona, with his former club starting the weekend just two points below Udinese in the relegation zone.
“I know and the players know how important this game is,” the coach began in his pre-match press conference.
“Honestly, it feels like a normal game for me. I didn't have time for emotions at Verona, just an experience, so it doesn't feel any different to any other important match.”
On Hellas's recent switch in formation: “The formation is important if you're playing Football Manager. In the modern game, there are two formations: attacking and defending.
“We expect Verona to come here up for it, knowing that with a win they could overtake us and take a lot out of the game. We know that and we'll be ready for them.”
Cioffi then reflected on what went wrong against Roma last week.
“The first half was a great example of what we don't want to do again. There's a football god who decides who wins and who loses but we mustn't go into a game with that approach again because that's not us. It's not just who made a mistake. We need the right attitude as a team. We must have the desire to win matches and think that we're going to win them because with that attitude you win more than you don't.
“The second goal is the sort we can't afford to concede again. But that's a different matter. There it wasn't a mental problem, but a mistake in reading the situation, which can happen.”
He also took time to discuss his defensive options in the wake of Jaka Bijol's injury.
“It's a shame about Jaka but his absence won't alter our balance. I'm sure that whoever plays will perform really well.”
Christian Kabasele appears ready to slot into central defence.
“He's suited to playing in the middle of a back three with his physical qualities. I was in doubt between him and Nehuen Perez.”
Joao Ferreira meanwhile has been fielded on the right of the defensive trio in recent outings.
“He can operate there with his ability and our style of play, although he's predominantly a right-back. He must be ready to play at wing-back or centre-back. I'm glad I gave him the nod there against Atalanta because he repaid my faith. Competition for places in every position raises the bar for everyone.”
Cioffi also had praise for Florian Thauvin after his goal against Roma.
“He's a top player who is calm whether he's playing or not. He's always shown what a great professional he is in training and in the second half against Roma he was proactive and determined. He's a very important player for us and the same goes for [Adam] Masina and [Oier] Zarraga, who work so hard in training and drive the team on. They're not starting games at the moment but they will.”