After a difficult start to the season, Andrea Sottil knows Sunday's home game against Genoa is a big opportunity for Udinese to start climbing the table but he's also aware that it's still only Matchday 7.
“It's an important match for us but it's no last-chance saloon,” he began at a media conference on Saturday.
“Genoa are a great team with a good coach and they're riding a wave of enthusiasm after their recent results and performances. We have to go out there and produce a big performance. We're capable of that, as we showed against Fiorentina.
“I've never thought this team was short on quality - quite the opposite. We're working to improve lots of things. I'm counting on the team as a group – they're shown they want to do well. The players who are best equipped will play. I'm sure the team will play the way they need to tomorrow.
“Defensive solidity is one of the cornerstones of my football. The number in the 'goals conceded' column must be kept as low as possible. The defence has changed a bit and Christian Kabasele's injury unbalanced us a bit.
“I expect to see total concentration tomorrow and good balance. We need to play aggressively but we also need to play smart. We've always created chances and I'm sure we will tomorrow as well.
“Above all, we have to be really switched on when Genoa have the ball and not make any mistakes.”
Sottil then commented on the contribution of Lazar Samardzic, following his eye-catching goal against Napoli, and Lorenzo Lucca.
“I rate Lazar very highly. I've shown faith in him since last season and he's repaid that with some important goals. He knows what I expect from him. I want him to go missing as little as possible during games.
“He's not really a box-to-box midfielder like [Sandi] Lovric or [Martin Payero]. He likes to drift into the middle and often moves up behind the strikers. He needs to be more consistent at both ends of the pitch. He's got better but he needs to improve more. If an opponent sets off with the ball, he has to chase him.
"Lucca is a lad of 23 playing his first season in Serie A and he's come on a lot. He could do with a goal and I'm sure that once he gets it there'll be no stopping him. The main thing is it doesn't become an obsession for him and he keeps working for the team.”
The coach also offered an update on Roberto Pereyra and Marley Ake.
“Pereyra's fitness is improving and he could be ready to start a game soon.
“Ake is doing really well in training and making great progress. He's an option as an attacking midfielder or wide forward. He's part of my thinking, as everyone else is. It's a long season and right now we have to focus on our priorities.”