Kosta Runjaic spoke to the media on Friday ahead of Udinese’s first Serie A match of the season against Bologna. Here’s what he had to say.
“We’re looking to the future with big expectations. I think we’re ready. I think we worked really hard over pre-season, especially on the finer things. We’re ready. Success never comes easily. We need to use all of our knowledge and skill, and from Bologna onwards we need to show people the new Udinese.
“We’re about to face a great team who are coming in off the back of a brilliant season with a fantastic new coach. It won’t be easy, and we won’t be able to execute everything exactly as we’ve planned, but I’m very happy with the work we’ve done and the dedication we’ve got in the team. Unfortunately, Thomas Kristensen won’t make the squad. He’s missed out on a lot of work, especially some more specific work we’ve done with the boys. He’ll need a few weeks to be 100% integrated.
“It’s been hot recently so it’s not been easy pushing ourselves to the limit, but I think that the boys have done well and there’s been no complaints. We need to try and play aggressively both on and off the ball. I think it’ll take every team a bit of time to implement everything they’ve tried in pre-season. We’ll try and put it all into practice. Our attitude and mentality are very important, and we need to try and do our best.
“I’m very happy that Alexis Sanchez has arrived. We all appreciate the opportunity we’ve got to have someone like him in the team. Alexis won’t play against Bologna. That’s something we discussed and assessed together.
“Jesper Karlstrom is physically and mentally ready. He’s already played two full matches and he’s feeling good. He’s already internalising the way we want to play. I’ll decide on Sunday whether to start him straight away or to take it match by match.
“The transfer window is still open. Lazar Samardzic and Nehuen Perez are two really great players, but we’re not thinking about that now. We are all focused on Sunday’s match against Bologna. Regarding their future, we don’t yet know what might happen. Our main concern is concentrating on doing our best on Sunday.
“I’m very excited and I can’t wait to start this Serie A season. Generally, I’m focused on my job. The work we do weekly is crucial in preparing for each match and connecting with the players. Matchday is all about the lads. It’s their moment. I’m convinced we’ll be able to play on equal footing with Bologna.
“I’ll try and do the best that I can. It’s not all about me. I’m grateful that I can work in an environment such as the one I found here at Udinese. I feel that the fans have understood that we’re experiencing a change and they’re expecting a sense of togetherness and the unity of determined team that will fight until the end. That’s the first step when it comes to the fans and the city. We hope to reflect all of that in the game too. The first team presentation was amazing, the best I’ve experience in my career. Everything was well-organised and there was a wonderful atmosphere. I’d like to thank the fans for the beautiful atmosphere they created.”