Runjaic on Inter match: “We must perform in front of our fans”

Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic addressed the media on Thursday ahead of his team’s upcoming Serie A clash against Inter Milan. The coach provided injury updates and shared his thoughts on the team’s preparation for the challenging fixture.

Runjaic began by discussing the injury situation, confirming that Martin Payero will miss the Inter game due to a swollen foot. The extent of the injury is still unknown, with diagnostic tests scheduled for next week. The coach expressed hope that Payero might return after the international break.

Lautaro Giannetti is making progress in his recovery but will not be available for the Inter match. Runjaic suggested that Giannetti might be ready for the Lecce game, pending further evaluation next week.

Addressing the team’s recent performance against Roma, Runjaic acknowledged that mistakes are part of football but emphasized the need for improvement. He stated, “We have to avoid mistakes against Inter – one mistake against teams like Inter or Roma and you pay for it immediately. Mistakes can happen but we’re working to make sure they don’t.”

The coach highlighted the challenge of facing the Italian champions, describing Inter as “a fantastic team with incredible quality.” He noted that Inter would be eager to bounce back after their derby loss, making the match even more demanding.

Runjaic also mentioned that Hassane Kamara and Thomas Kristensen are not fully fit, and the team might avoid risking them to prevent aggravating their conditions. However, he expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, saying, “We have players who can perform well.”

Regarding tactics, Runjaic remained noncommittal about the formation Udinese will employ against Inter. He revealed that the team has been practicing a four-man defense in training but will make the final decision based on various factors, including player form and the opponent’s strengths.

The coach emphasized the importance of aggression and winning key duels, areas where the team fell short against Roma. He stated, “We need to be more aggressive. We lost the key duels in Roma and that makes the difference. We mustn’t repeat the mistakes against Inter.”

In conclusion, Runjaic called for a strong performance in front of the home fans, saying, “We’re going to have to work our socks off against Inter. We want to put into practice the ideas we have in mind and produce a good performance in front of our fans.”