Simone Pafundi has opened up about his relationship with Kosta Runjaic and his team-mates since returning to Udine in January after a loan spell in Lausanne.
Speaking on Udinese Tonight the day after Udinese's 1-1 draw at Napoli, the 18-year-old began by commenting on the game and the different atmosphere in the camp compared to last season.
“I'm very calm, especially after yesterday. But the whole team is. It was a lively game in Napoli, a really good game, with lots of counter-attacks. We set ourselves up well and responded immediately after they took the lead. Perhaps we even deserved to win it. From the bench I saw some of the guys running around like crazy in the 90th minute. The boss got us really fired up for it in the week and we wanted to produce a great performance. We're a lot calmer than last season. We all know how tough last season was. The boss has given us the right idea and we're following him and his staff."
After Napoli, Udinese now face three matches against teams lower down the table – but Pafundi insists you can take nothing for granted.
“Every match is a different story. Maybe Napoli expected an easier match against us on Sunday. Every game is difficult in Serie A. We know that and we don't underestimate anyone – you have to do the talking on the pitch.
“Runjaic has talked to me a lot. We had a long chat and he told me lots of things that I need to work on. I have a lot faith in him and he does in me. Our relationship is frank, man to man. Before I was considered a kid but Runjaic talks to me as if I were a 25- or 30-year-old. He shows he believes in me.
“Sanchez treats me well but he shouts at me too. He's world-class, he really is. I'd like to have mentality. Top players need a strong mentality to emerge. When I went away I worked a lot on my mentality.
“Then there's [Florian] Thauvin. I've always got on well with him ever since he arrived. We speak the same language on the pitch and look for each other. He's really good one on one and has amazing vision. He's a top player. I've been very lucky at Udinese – first I had [Rodrigo] De Paul and [Gerard] Deulofeu, and now I have Sanchez and Thauvin to learn from.
“We always work for the good of team. Those who start know they have to do well because there are lots of good options on the bench. The ultimate goal is always helping the team.
“The coach gets me to play in the centre of a midfield three, on the wing or as second striker. In Switzerland I mainly played in a box-to-box role or in the hole. The coach spoke to me and said that nowadays it's important to be versatile and able to play in different areas of the pitch.”
Pafundi revealed what spending 2024 in the Swiss Super League with Lausanne meant to him on a personal level.
“I grew up a lot in Lausanne – I'm an adult now! I learnt a lot from the experience and matured a lot, especially mentally. I think more like an adult now. I learnt a lot from being by myself and got to do things I wouldn't have had the chance to if I'd stayed within my comfort zone. I improved physically too and that's something I've spoken to the coach and staff about. I do extra work every day.”
The Udinese academy product was handed his senior Italy debut by Roberto Mancini in 2022 when he was just 16 – a wonderful experience but one that was not without consequences.
“Mancini gave me those five minutes but obviously I hadn't and I still haven't achieved anything at senior level yet. I'm keeping my head down and I know I have to work twice as hard to do what people expect of me. It wasn't easy having all those expectations weighing on you. I struggled with it a bit. When you're not playing and not getting opportunities, you can get a bit demoralised, but with the club's help and my family's constant support I regained a bit of confidence.
“I could have gone on loan in Serie B but I preferred to take a break from Italy and get away from the chaos that had been created and that was in my and my parents' heads. I think I made the right choice. I've come back more relaxed.”
Pafundi also spoke about the team's and his own targets for the rest of the season.
“After last year we don't really want to set any targets. We're just taking things one game at a time and trying to get as many points as possible. If we could finish in the top half, it would be an excellent result – I don't think that's happened for 12 years. That's what we're working for but without any pressure. The main thing is the team win as many games as possible. I want to play as much as possible but it depends on my day-to-day work. I'm a humble, hard-working kid waiting for his chance to show what he can do.”