David Alaba is ready to make his return to the pitch with Udinese, and his first match will be against Torino, scheduled for 8.45pm this evening. The Austrian defender, who has not played an official match since 2 July, when Austria was eliminated by Spain in the round of 32 of the World Cup, returned to Udine to concentrate on work with the new team, giving up his Nations League commitments. Although he has not yet played 90 minutes in Serie A, his experience and technical qualities make him an ideal candidate to fill a void in defensive organization that Udinese have perceived in recent matches.
Kosta Runjaic, the Udinese coach, illustrated how he intends to insert Alaba into the lineup. “For now we see him as a central defender, he can occupy all three defensive boxes,” Runjaic said. The coach underlined Alaba's ability to play with the ball at his feet, his propensity to move vertically and his propensity to talk to his teammates, elements that give "that backward organization that we were missing a little". Runjaic also highlighted the player's tactical intelligence and personality, stating that he "knows how to read matches and make the right decisions". These qualities, according to the coach, have been fundamental to Alaba's success at the highest level, both at club and internationally.
Alaba's return after a break of more than three months raises the question of pace of play. However, the choice to remain in Udine during the break allowed the defender to work continuously, deepening the mechanisms required by Runjaic. The coach immediately focused on the characteristics that accompanied Alaba to the highest levels: quality in construction, ability to play vertically and leadership. These aspects will be fundamental for his debut in Serie A, where he will have to demonstrate that he can contribute to both the defensive and offensive phases of the defensive department.
Torino, which is preparing to host Udinese, will have to face an opponent who has recently renewed its squad with the arrival of a high-level defender. The presence of Alaba, with his international experience and his ability to read the game, could represent a key element for Udinese in the fight for the rankings. The coach expressed confidence that the player, despite his lack of recent minutes, will be able to quickly adapt to the pace of Serie A.
As this new phase of Alaba's career begins, Udinese aims to consolidate their defense and improve group cohesion. The match against Torino will therefore be a crucial opportunity to evaluate the impact of the Austrian defender on the pitch and to understand whether his experience can really provide the defensive organization that the club has been looking for. The result of this match could mark the start of a new era for Udinese, with Alaba at the center of their defensive ambitions.