Runjaic: "We must maintain our focus"

Kosta Runjaic held a media conference on Friday afternoon ahead of Udinese's clash with Napoli at Bluenergy Stadium on Saturday evening. 

 

Antonio Conte's side visit Udine having been beaten twice by Lazio – in the cup and in the league – in their last two games while the mood in the Udinese camp has been buoyed by Monday's win over Monza. 

 

Here's a selection of the coach's comments. 

 

 

“I celebrated the way I did in Monza because it was a very important match for everyone, very tense, and everyone – the players on the pitch, me, those on the bench – put so much energy into it. I'm delighted because it was a deserved win. 

 

“We've analysed it as always and there are things we should have done better. We could have gone 3-1 up. It was intense. Monza are a good team and the numbers show we gave everything. It took a lot of energy and the players racked up lots of kilometres. 

 

“It was intense for me too and sometimes I let myself go. I might look cold and restrained from the outside but on the inside I'm different. I want to set a good example.”

 

 

“When you lose games, there can be lots of different reasons for it. Sometimes it's because we make mistakes, other times it's just that our opponents better than us. 

 

“Twenty points at this stage, looking back at last season too, is an excellent haul but we'll be even happier when we have more. We mustn't relax. We haven't achieved anything yet this season and there's no point looking too far into the future because we have to focus on Napoli. We could have picked up a few more points but overall we're pleased.

 

We need to maintain our focus, keep working day after day, and feel the right level of pressure – we'll need that against Napoli tomorrow.”

 

 

“We're up against a great team who won the league two years ago. I don't think Napoli are in a crisis; they've just not won for two matches. They're a great team that likes to boss the game. They have a lot of experience, a lot of pace, and they're very dangerous in possession. It's going to be tough because they're a solid outfit with the second-best defence in the league and 30 points after 15 games. That tells you how good they are. Losing a couple of games doesn't mean they've lost all their good qualities. They'll be smarting and will have the bit between their teeth. 

 

“We're going to have to be strong from the start and not make the mistake we made against Juventus. We must give Napoli a run for their money. We'll need a lot of energy and desire to win the duels.”

 

 

“As for our injury problems, they're part and parcel of the game. [Oier] Zarraga has this muscle problem and he won't be available for a few weeks.

 

“At last we'll have [Alexis] Sanchez with us and that's fantastic news. We'll see whether he can play a few minutes but it depends on many factors.

 

“We can't wait to play this match. We've prepared well for it and it's a chance for us to put on a good showing against a top team. We do have some injuries but we also have a big squad so we have others who can come in.”

 

 

“[Lorenzo] Lucca and [Florian] Thauvin are our two forwards in the best form at the moment and they offer the most quality, but we mustn't forget about Brenner, [Iker] Bravo and Sanchez, who's back with the group. He's not in top shape yet but he'll get there. 

 

“Lucca played well against Monza. He toiled for the team and scored, and he'll have to do the same again tomorrow. 

 

“Thauvin's fitness is improving after his injury. He needed a bit of time but he's getting back to 100%. We hope he'll play well tomorrow and maybe score too, because he also works really hard for the team. He's a great captain. I'm sure he'll do even better over the course of the season.”

 

 

“[James] Abankwah has to keep improving but he's a versatile player. He often plays at centre-back for Ireland. He can play in midfield too and he's already played at right-back. He's a physical player, a diligent lad who takes everything in. He's improving even without playing much. He's a quality player and we know we can count on him. We'll keep helping him to develop. He's trying out different positions and we'll probably see what his best position is further down the line.”

 

ATTA 

 

“[Arthur] Atta, like Abankwah, is a young player with huge potential. I'm happy to have him here. He has a great future ahead. He always gives 100% in training. He's getting better by the week and showing it in the minutes he gets on the pitch. He can play in front of the defence or in a box-to-box role. He needs time to adjust but that's normal – Serie A is a difficult league and lots of young players need time when they come here. He's adjusting well, getting minutes under his belt and he could play a part tomorrow as well.”