Coach Kosta Runjaic spoke in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s match against Hellas Verona. Here’s what he had to say:
“Happy new year to everyone. Tomorrow we will face a team that has caused problems for many opponents. We need to take the challenge seriously and bring our energy to the pitch. We understand the importance of this match for both teams and I expect a high-intensity game with many duels. We’re up against a team that surprised everyone by winning in Bologna which will give them a big boost, especially playing in front of their fans. Verona can quickly shift the game’s momentum, they’re very intense in duels and aggressive. They’re an unpredictable team that have beaten Napoli, Roma and Bologna. We’ll need a strong performance, and we’ll fight together, play our way and hope to win.
“Oumar Solet is available and can play, but you know me by now and that I can’t tell you if he’ll start just yet.
“We’re aware of Verona’s statistics; they have the worst defence in the league by far, but many of those goals came against Atalanta and Inter. They’re an unpredictable team that have frequently changed formation this season and tried out various solutions. We know we’ll face a team full of energy and we must withstand their intensity in duels. The energy that we bring will be key. We know a lot about them but it’s never enough. There are always uncertainties but we shouldn’t overthink it. We’re prepared, we have a strong team and we know Verona’s situation as well as our own. Every point matters. Securing three points would be a big step forward but words don’t mean much. We have to prove it on the pitch.
“As for Martin Payero or Jens Ekkelenkamp, we’re considering our options. I’m happy Payero is back with us; before his injury, he put in some great performances and provides us with stability. He might play in Verona but we’ll see. He’s certainly not ready for 90 minutes. We have several options in midfield. The only constant is Jesper Karlstrom as a defensive midfielder. He’s turning in consistent performances and still has scope to develop. Oier Zarraga still needs more time. Ekkelenkamp is improving; he’s in good shape and brings us a lot of positives on the pitch. I’ve spoken to him. He needs to be more decisive in the attacking phase and leave more of a mark on matches. We have players who can be dangerous up front, like Payero, but he also needs to improve his goal tally. I can’t say yet if they’ll play together. Ekkelenkamp has played a lot recently, pushing beyond his limits, and sometimes players need a rest. That doesn’t mean he won’t play. With Payero and Arthur Atta, we have two fresh options and having many choices is a positive.
“Whether or not Atta plays, a front three is an option. We could also play with one striker and two attacking midfielders. What I want is a centre-forward who can hold the ball and compete in duels, like Lorenzo Lucca and Atta. However, we must consider that playing three forwards means losing a midfielder and we haven’t yet achieved the defensive stability that I want. We’re still conceding avoidable goals. Depending on the team’s performance, we’ll see, but with Alexis Sanchez and Florian Thauvin, the possibility of a three-forward set-up exists. We also have Iker Bravo. We’re on the right track and will continue working on these solutions. Recently, due to the calendar, we’ve had fewer training sessions, but between Atalanta and Como, we’ll have nine days to work more.
“Solet played in a back four at Salzburg, but he can also perform well in a three-man defence, either centrally or on the flank. He’s a great guy with solid football training. He’s very strong in duels, fast, disciplined and calm on the ball. He has already shown his qualities in training. We know what he’s missing and we’re helping him improve. He’s a unique player in our squad. Now we need to give him minutes, whether tomorrow or in the future, and decide if he’ll start or come on later. It’s positive to have him and he’ll make a big contribution. He has significant experience, was scouted by several top clubs and is still young. He’s working hard and I hope he keeps it up. Of course, Serie A is Serie A, and he’ll need time to adapt, no matter his quality.
“We discuss the transfer market internally and don’t go into details publicly. We have this match and then we’ll take stock of the first half of the season. Based on the data, we’ll draw conclusions, analyse individual roles in various formations and provide feedback. We want to conduct an objective piece of analysis that will guide our reflections for the second half of the season and the future. No team is standing still now. We’re also thinking about potential reinforcements to take a step forward but these are internal discussions that will continue in the coming months. It also depends on what’s available in the market. The winter window isn’t easy. We want to analyse everything thoroughly, reflect on what we need and see which profiles are available that suit our style of play.
“Perhaps Sanchez could play a few more minutes in Verona but I can’t say for sure. These are decisions that coaches think about a lot. He might play 15, 20 or 25 minutes but it depends on the players on the pitch, the course of the match and the game plan. We know his characteristics but also know he’s just recently returned from injury and has only been at 100% for a short time. Lucca and Thauvin are in good shape, and we have Ekkelenkamp, who runs a lot. Then people ask why Sanchez isn’t playing. Many factors need to align. It’s easy to judge with hindsight but before the match, there’s a lot of thought, and decisions can go well or not. Often people focus only on the individual, but we need to consider the overall situation. Sometimes there’s even too much thinking involved. I can’t say how many minutes Sanchez will get.”