Various prominent Udinese figures, including owners, players and coach Kosta Runjaic, were interviewed during the 2025 Udinese Gala. Here is what they had to say.
Gino Pozzo: I believe that 2025 has been a good new chapter after the season we had two years ago. Last year we laid the foundations for the future. During the summer transfer window, we signed a lot of new players. We have to be patient. We must wait for our work to start delivering results. We’re in a comfortable position; we just have to make that quantum leap, which will come once we start reaping the benefits of our work.
I believe that we have a chance to do well in every season, then squads and coaches can have more or less chemistry. This is our second year with this coach and we can consider the idea of continuing the work we’ve been doing. Fans are always very passionate and sometimes things don’t go the way one would expect. However, we must remain positive: we have everything we need to achieve better results.
The coach has earned our trust by working hard every day. He has brought order in the team. Now we must find the right formula for the individual players in the team to deliver even more. The coach will be able to understand what we need; he’s the person who can help us take that quantum leap.
There are constant rumours about the club being sold in the future; we’ve got used to that. We’ve been here for forty years and we’re very happy to represent this city and region.
Our hope for 2026 is to reap the benefits of the work we’re doing.”
I believe that we have a chance to do well in every season, then squads and coaches can have more or less chemistry. This is our second year with this coach and we can consider the idea of continuing the work we’ve been doing. Fans are always very passionate and sometimes things don’t go the way one would expect. However, we must remain positive: we have everything we need to achieve better results.
The coach has earned our trust by working hard every day. He has brought order in the team. Now we must find the right formula for the individual players in the team to deliver even more. The coach will be able to understand what we need; he’s the person who can help us take that quantum leap.
There are constant rumours about the club being sold in the future; we’ve got used to that. We’ve been here for forty years and we’re very happy to represent this city and region.
Our hope for 2026 is to reap the benefits of the work we’re doing.”
Gian Luca Nani: “2025 has been a good year that isn’t over yet. We came from a difficult period and a season in which we avoided relegation at the very last minute. We’re on the right track, even though such a statement doesn’t sound good after a 0-3 loss. My opinion is partly positive; many interesting things are emerging. [Nicolo] Zaniolo met our expectations and [Arthur] Atta is proving to be an impressive player. We’re doing well, but we must keep pushing forward.
We must build a winning mentality, which is not something that can be done overnight. But we’re on the right track; things don’t always work out our way, but we have what we need to succeed. We just need some time.
[Iker] Bravo and [Sandi] Lovric are quality players; things can change very fast. I wouldn’t draw any quick conclusions, but we do have many players and some may go play somewhere else in January.”
We must build a winning mentality, which is not something that can be done overnight. But we’re on the right track; things don’t always work out our way, but we have what we need to succeed. We just need some time.
[Iker] Bravo and [Sandi] Lovric are quality players; things can change very fast. I wouldn’t draw any quick conclusions, but we do have many players and some may go play somewhere else in January.”
Kosta Runjaic: “Tonight’s event is fantastic. I’m doing fine; I could be better, but this is good enough. We must learn from our mistakes; we’ll try to do so in our next match.
I appreciate Gino Pozzo’s words. I found a good environment here and everyone is very supportive with me. We have sound foundations. We have many good players; the youngest ones are settling in and I’m trying to do my best to make that quantum leap.”
I appreciate Gino Pozzo’s words. I found a good environment here and everyone is very supportive with me. We have sound foundations. We have many good players; the youngest ones are settling in and I’m trying to do my best to make that quantum leap.”
Jesper Karlstrom: “It’s a very elegant gala; I like these initiatives.
We played a good first half against Bologna. Our problem was that we failed to score. When you play against a good team, they will of course have some chances, but our problem was that we didn’t score in the first half. Against teams like Bologna, if you play well you have to score in the first half: that’s what happened against Atalanta and we won.
It's hard to explain what happens to us, but we are often the first to concede even when we’re playing well. After we concede, we have to fight back. We can’t lose each time with a two- or three-goal margin. However, I feel that we are a good team, more so than last year, and that we can improve.
Bravo and Lovric are professionals; they know what they must do. I’m here to support them, but of course some players won’t play. We have a good team and not everyone can play all the time. They must do even better and then it’ll be up to the coach to decide. In any case, I see them working hard every day to get back on the pitch.
I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas. We’re happy we have our fans’ support, and we need it. We know we can have a great season, starting from our match against Parma.”
We played a good first half against Bologna. Our problem was that we failed to score. When you play against a good team, they will of course have some chances, but our problem was that we didn’t score in the first half. Against teams like Bologna, if you play well you have to score in the first half: that’s what happened against Atalanta and we won.
It's hard to explain what happens to us, but we are often the first to concede even when we’re playing well. After we concede, we have to fight back. We can’t lose each time with a two- or three-goal margin. However, I feel that we are a good team, more so than last year, and that we can improve.
Bravo and Lovric are professionals; they know what they must do. I’m here to support them, but of course some players won’t play. We have a good team and not everyone can play all the time. They must do even better and then it’ll be up to the coach to decide. In any case, I see them working hard every day to get back on the pitch.
I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas. We’re happy we have our fans’ support, and we need it. We know we can have a great season, starting from our match against Parma.”
Daniele Padelli: “The final result against Bologna did not reflect our performance on the pitch. We know that when we are playing well, we can be a tough opponent for anyone, but if there’s something missing we suffer, also at home, where we’re trying to build our season.
Receiving criticism is normal; the final result is all that matters. Our growth process depends on many people and is not a straight line.
We’re working to create something. I’m not sure people would be happier if they saw us playing long balls all the time rather than trying to create something. I don’t know which approach leads to better results, but at least we’re trying to do something different.
We may also lose focus in some cases, but Bologna are a good team; we weren’t playing against the bottom team in the league. It’s not easy to build a mentality; we’re a young team. We mustn’t lose hope and by growing we will achieve our goals. We’ll have our highs and lows, but I can guarantee you that this team always give it their all.
We are the first ones to be disappointed about our losses.”
Receiving criticism is normal; the final result is all that matters. Our growth process depends on many people and is not a straight line.
We’re working to create something. I’m not sure people would be happier if they saw us playing long balls all the time rather than trying to create something. I don’t know which approach leads to better results, but at least we’re trying to do something different.
We may also lose focus in some cases, but Bologna are a good team; we weren’t playing against the bottom team in the league. It’s not easy to build a mentality; we’re a young team. We mustn’t lose hope and by growing we will achieve our goals. We’ll have our highs and lows, but I can guarantee you that this team always give it their all.
We are the first ones to be disappointed about our losses.”