Udinese boss Runjaic believes Milan are ‘strong’ but an example of ‘highs and lows’ | OneFootball

Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic has admitted that his side are battling some issues in the attacking department, but thinks they can be competitive against AC Milan.

After a season largely spent battling relegation last time out – having won just one game going into December, which ironically was against Milan – this has been a much more positive campaign for Udinese.

The Bianconeri currently sit 11th in the table and therefore have achieved survival quite convincingly in the end. At one point they looked as though they might even climb above the Rossoneri, yet they have lost three games in a row to take some wind out of their sales after an excellent February.

Last season’s game at the Stadio Friuli was a 3-2 thriller that Milan won late on. Runjaic spoke to the reporters who gathered for his pre-match press conference on the eve of the game, and it was transcribed live by TuttoMercatoWeb.

How do you explain the three consecutive defeats recently?

“Football is made up of details, sometimes you have to score the first goal, sometimes there are individual errors, sometimes the opponent deserves more. We know the value of the opponent.

“With two draws against Verona and Genoa, perhaps we would be talking about a different type of game now, we have to give it our all. I consider football based on the result but also on other factors, it is a growth process.

“Thauvin is a player we are missing, he is one of the most quality players in Serie A, precisely because of the statistics. We have several players who are not available, Davis was not available, as were Zemura, Sanchez, all factors that fall into this analysis.

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“However, all this does not count for tomorrow, if these guys are not there, there will be others who can give their contribution. Tomorrow there is another opportunity, without Thauvin, Sanchez, Zemura and Davis, but it is still an opportunity to do well.

“If we take to the field with the right attitude we will have the possibility of doing well even against a Milan that despite the difficulties seen against Fiorentina remains a very strong team.”

So no players have recovered?

“No.”

What is Rui Modesto missing to play as a starter?

“It’s my decision. The boy has certainly grown in many ways, he is capable of playing as a starter. I’m using him as a substitute, he has done a good job, I’m happy for every player who manages to improve like Rui Modesto is doing.”

Without Thauvin, the goals are lacking…

“We are always studying new solutions, I trust Lucca a lot, he had scoring opportunities but it can happen that there is a moment in which he doesn’t find the net.

“The important thing is to give him confidence and the right feedback, I prefer to have a striker who creates chances, even if he makes mistakes, rather than a striker who can’t create. Tomorrow, if he is focused, he will certainly have other chances to score.

“He has my confidence, he has grown this year. Thauvin is another player who has our confidence, we are thinking about the right variations to take to the field.

“We expect certain players who play in other positions to be able to score more. We are working. There are many details to be able to achieve results.”

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Solet didn’t seem to be in great shape against Genoa, did he have aches and pains or did he simply have a less brilliant game?

“If he hadn’t been in top form he wouldn’t have played, he didn’t give his usual performance and he knows it well. He’s a player who has given high-level performances and we expect those.

“He didn’t show his class against Genoa, he knows he could have done better and tomorrow he’ll have another opportunity to assert himself.”

Pafundi made a great impression against Genoa…

“He returned to Udine after his experience at Lausanne, he’s a good guy, he needed some time to get back into the swing of things. He’ll definitely improve with time, tomorrow he’ll have the chance to play his minutes.

“Now I can tell you that he most likely won’t be a starter, but he could play a more important part maybe. He’s growing, I don’t rule out that he could start before the end of the season, I see him more as a midfielder than a striker, even if by now you have to know how to do both.

“Like all players he has to show his qualities on the pitch and I’m satisfied. He takes to the pitch with the right amount of anger and determination, he’s not fearful, he hasn’t yet fully understood his potential, he has to bring it out completely. He’s a very mature young man, we all expect a lot from him.”

Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

Iker Bravo didn’t have the right impact against Genoa…

“He will have his opportunity, he certainly didn’t play his best match against Genoa, he had good phases and others less so. He lost a few too many balls at certain times, he didn’t give his best performance, he’s young, he has to grow, not all the guys follow a linear path to the top.

“He wasn’t satisfied either, but now we have to focus on the next match, Serie A is a high-level league, every mistake or performance that doesn’t go well is immediately evaluated. In other league, on the other hand, you see the mistake less, even if when you have the opportunity to play you always have to show your qualities.”

Could Atta be moved forward to play near Lucca?

“He can play in many positions, maybe today he is not at his best as a midfielder in front of the defence, but he did very well as a mezzala on the left, on the right, he gets the ball and plays with confidence, I don’t see why he couldn’t also play a few metres further forward next to Lucca.

“He can improve his danger, both in creating chances and in scoring. He created a great chance for Lucca, tomorrow maybe he could be a starter, we can’t wait to play against a strong team like Milan.

“However, Milan are also an example of how you can experience highs and lows in a season. We have had lows more in terms of performances than results, we want to play at their level and we can’t wait to get on the pitch.”