Runjaic: "Aware of how tough this game will be"

Coach Kosta Runjaic delivered a press conference ahead of Sunday's match against Sassuolo. Here’s some of what our boss had to say:

Sunday's Match
"Sassuolo are a good team. They got promoted to Serie A having had a top 2024/25. They play good football and see a lot of the ball. We're taking this match seriously and are aware of how tough this game will be. We need to maintain our standards. We progressed in the Coppa Italia but we need to improve individually, even if we made fewer mistakes against Palermo than we did against Milan. I'm pleased with how my team reacted after the defeat - we could have scored more than two goals. I'm pleased with those who played on Tuesday - throughout the season you need all of your players to be consistent. I've also seen positive signs from the new arrivals - it's good to have a variety of options. Now I have to decide who will play on Sunday."

"He's a very important player for us. He's usually consistent in his performances. We expect more from him in attack but he’s been doing really well in defence. In general, we expect more from everyone - the higher the expectations, the more the players will improve. Ehizibue didn't perform as well against Milan as he did in other games. We didn’t lose the match because of the formation we played, but rather due to certain incidents and moments when we were more passive and made mistakes. We're a team that can learn from defeats. We know that Sassuolo are a good team and are good in possession - we mustn't make the same mistakes that we made against Milan. We'll see how we line up against Sassuolo - since the start of the season we've been working on two formations and we’ll continue along this path."

Attacking options
"We’ve got a varity of options in attacking midfield. Nicolo Zaniolo did well against Palermo, but he needs to improve. It's important that he helps us consistently throughout the campaign. He's ready to play, but he's not a classic second striker like Vakoun Bayo, who won't be available for us for the Sassuolo game. We also have Idrissa Gueye, who played pretty well against Palermo. He showed good mobility and he likes to get in behind the defence. He has my trust and might well get some game time. We've got some ideas - we'll see what decisions are made following the conclusion of the final training session."

“He put in a mature performance against Carrarese, then he got injured and missed a few games. He returned against Palermo and he did well again. I'm surprised by his development - it shouldn't be taken for granted that a player develops like this and that in his comeback game after injury he plays a flawless game against a top-level opponent. I also liked how he approached the attack and how he built up play - he's more than ready for Serie A. I don't play him just to give him minutes - he plays because we believe he can help the team. We have to be patient with young players, but consistency is important in order to see progress. If players perform well and show progress, they'll play. However, the team is the most important matter and it comes before any individual. Palma is on the right track. Last season he integrated well into the team but had a few fitness issues, which is to be expected when you train with this level of intensity. He's a calm and focused guy who's always very alert on the pitch. I’m looking forward to seeing him really kick on. It's great to have him in the squad and it's great to see him improve. He'll definitely have chances come his way."

"He made a few mistakes against Pisa, including an important one that affected the team's balance in the first half. A goalkeeper has got to give all of his team-mates confidence. We talked about it after the Pisa game and in any case he played very well against Inter. A goalkeeper must be calm with the ball at his feet and feel comfortable in making short passes. We can also pose a big threat by playing long balls, so it's up to the individual player to decide what to do. Sava must show confidence, but I’ve got absolute faith in him. He played well against Palermo and now he’s got another chance to show what he can do. Sometimes he's a little unsure and perhaps too calm, but this calmness is also one of his strengths. I'm sure that he'll continue to improve."

Daniele Padelli
"Padelli trained with the team and I think he'll be included this weekend. I'm happy that he's returned quickly - he's a good goalkeeper and he’s important to the team."

“All of the new signings are still bedding in. We're convinced by Goglichidze's qualities and potential. He's young but he’s already spent a season in Serie A with Empoli. He learned a lot there, but they played a different kind of football to us. There’s a lot of dialogue with him and we’re working a lot on these new signings. We want a lot of possession and to be resourceful in our play. We need to give him time - he's aggressive and strong in duels, and these aren't things you can teach. That being said, it’s easier to work on his technique. He needs to continue like this, and playing will help him. He'll get his chances, and I don't see why he can't improve. He needs to be ready when called upon.”

"Sandi Lovric played a few minutes against Palermo but isn’t able to start just yet. He needs some time, but he's training fully with the team. Lennon Miller is a very mature player – in our game against Palermo he ran a lot, performed well and got on the scoresheet. He’s a great option for us. Last season he played a lot and he’s ready for action. I don't know if he'll start against Sassuolo, but we learnt a lot from his performance against Palermo, as we did from all of the new players in general. Jakub Piotrowski is experienced - he's played extensively at international level. We expect a lot from him, and against Palermo he did well, including out of possession. It's up to me to choose who will play - there's a lot of competition, but it's important that they all get along well together. Oier Zarraga is also an important player for us and always contributes when called upon. All of this competition is great, but it makes picking a team all the more difficult."