Runjaic on Udinese European ambition after surpassing last season’s tally | OneFootball

Kosta Runjaic is pleased that the 1-0 win over Parma allowed Udinese to amass more points than throughout all of last season, but won’t be drawn on European ambition. ‘We mustn’t look too far forward.’

For the second round in a row, a penalty proved enough to give the Friulani all three points, although this time there was no drama.

In the 1-0 victory away to Lecce, Lorenzo Lucca had infuriated his teammates and the coach by insisting on taking the spot-kick, whereas this evening he acted as bodyguard to ensure the Parma players did not try to disturb Florian Thauvin.

“The first half we played very good, we controlled the game, had good possession, we put pressure on because of the possession. We didn’t create that many chances, but still dominated the game in my view,” Runjaic told Sky Sport Italia.

“In the second half, we did not play the same level, but it was still a very intense game. We know that Parma have a new coach, with good individual players, especially dangerous in transitions. For my taste, we allowed them a bit too much space and we also should’ve scored a second goal, but overall I’d say it was a deserved victory.”

It was put to the coach that the reason why they scored so few goals recently is that their strikers are too selfish and rarely make the pass.

“I did not get that impression from the touchline, but I will have to evaluate the game and if I see that they have been selfish, I will speak to them.”

Runjaic stalls Udinese ambition for Europe

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 01: Florian Thauvin of Udinese scores a goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Udinese and Parma at Stadio Friuli on March 01, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

The result means Udinese have amassed four wins and a draw away to Napoli in their last five Serie A games.

They sit currently in 10th place and can begin to eye up the European qualification spots, especially as there are still some very big fixtures to be played at the Bluenergy Stadium.

Lazio, Inter and Juventus all need to visit, while Udinese are away to Milan, Bologna and Fiorentina.

“We take it one game at a time, that is our concept,” assured Runjaic.

“We are very pleased at having 39 points in a very hard season, we worked intensely and are now reaping the rewards. We want to continue our campaign and get as many points as possible.”

Udinese have not amassed this many points after 27 rounds since 2013, when Francesco Guidolin took them to the European preliminary rounds.

They have also already picked up 39 points, two more than throughout all of last season. Can they raise the bar towards Europe next term?

“I don’t know what the future holds, the future is now. We mustn’t look too far forward,” said Runjaic.

“We are very grateful to be in this position, we still have in mind last season, so we’ve just got to keep going and try to get the best out of the current campaign.”

The coach was giving his post-match interview in English, but at one moment accidentally slipped into German, so how many languages does Runjaic speak?

“My English is ok, I speak German, Serbo-Croatian, I understand Polish and now more and more Italian. I just need a little more time so I can speak it better.”