Udinese confirmed Kosta Runjaic's stay on the bench, despite the first eight Serie A matches being marked by six consecutive defeats. The technical director Gian Luca Nani, interviewed by TV12, reiterated that the responsibility of the team falls on the club and that, in difficult moments, it is essential to make the management's presence felt. He underlined that although the team showed positive performances against Lecce, Lazio, Cagliari and Monza, it cannot continue to lose systematically. According to Nani, changing coach would be an extreme choice and would not guarantee immediate results.
Nani then analyzed the causes of recurring injuries, defining them as a topic that requires constant questioning. He explained that the management of training sessions is crucial to avoid muscle injuries and that the internal hearing is ongoing to understand the causes of these injuries. “Every injury is an opportunity to do internal investigations and understand what happened,” he said, highlighting the need for adequate preparation to prevent players from being unusable.
Regarding the attack, Nani explained the difficulty of finding a replacement for Buksa following his departure. He specified that the purchase of a new striker would require an adaptation period of at least two months, making the most suitable solution in January. He also illustrated the structure of the 3‑4‑2‑1 formation, with Davis as the striker and Gueye and Bayo on the sides, as well as Zaniolo, who can play in that position. Nani highlighted the choice to have more options for the half forwards, including Chakvetadze, Ekkelenkamp, Unai Gomez and Jovanovic, to ensure flexibility in case of injuries in January.
Regarding the rumor of Lucca's possible return in January, Nani stated that it is a "strange rumor". He explained that Napoli paid a high price for the player and that a loan return with a paid salary would make little sense. He concluded that the operation is not even considered fair by Udine.
Finally, Nani expressed his vision for the season. He stated that the first objective is to reach 40 points and, once achieved, we can talk about raising the bar. He praised the performances of Abankwah, Palma and Miller, as well as Zaniolo's return and Davis' consistency. Nani asked the fans to maintain faith and continue to support the team, underlining that the club is trying to get back on track and continue the march that began more than thirty years ago.