Runjaic: ‘Udinese’s only chance against big team like Napoli’ | OneFootball

Kosta Runjaic explains the approach that was ‘our only chance against a big team like Napoli at the moment,’ taking the game to the Serie A leaders on their own turf.

The Friulani have made it clear under this coach that they go for the victory against any opponent and that was evident from their strong performance at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

They had several big chances, testing Alex Meret early on, before Scott McTominay towered above the crowd to nod in a Matteo Politano corner, but it was cancelled out moments later by the swerving Jurgen Ekkelenkamp scorcher.

There was also a tweaking of the tactics to a 4-4-2 formation with Florian Thauvin and Lorenzo Lucca upfront for the 1-1 draw.

Runjaic on Udinese approach to Napoli trip

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Kosta Runjaic, Udinese head coach during the Serie A match between Napoli and Udinese at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“We played with big desire, big discipline, we knew that was our only chance against a big team like Napoli at the moment. I am very happy with the performance, we suffered a lot this evening,” the Udinese coach told DAZN.

“When you play against teams like Napoli, you need to work as a team, but also have moments of individual quality too. I saw many of them play fantastic, including Bijol, Solet, Thauvin, but also Atta and Ekkelenkamp.”

This point ensures Udinese stay in the top half of the table in 10th place on 30 points

They have done well against the big clubs this term, beating Fiorentina and Lazio, holding Bologna, Atalanta and Napoli to stalemates.

“That is important for us, we can go forward with good energy now,” concluded Runjaic.