Coach Ignazio Abate announced his openness to a two-striker system before the match against Udinese, underlining the importance of exploiting the potential of the squad and having players who give 100%. In a press conference two days before the match, the coach explained that the tactical choice is not his preference, but something that the players must implement on the pitch. “The players make the formation,” he said, highlighting that the double striker is a valid option for the next match.
Abate then spoke about the team's key players. He praised Zapata's coaching, who has found continuity, but underlined that the real matches are not in his hands. He also mentioned Adams, who had a month of inactivity, and Pellegri, who returned from a serious injury. “We have two strikers who give us guarantees in the 90 minutes, then there are the relays,” he added, confirming that the double striker will be an option for Monday.
The coach paid particular attention to Gaetano Oristanio, who played three weeks at a high level. “I took something away at the start of the championship but he never gave up and in Bologna he had a good performance,” said Abate. He expressed the desire to have more players like Oristanio, who put all their energy for Toro. “I want guys who give 100% to stay within the Bull, this is how the group is created,” he underlined, highlighting the importance of a collective mentality.
Abate also recalled the importance of internal competitiveness, stating that players cannot be allowed to remain in the comfort zone. “The group makes the difference, everyone must think about us and not about me,” he said. He reiterated that the team is ready to challenge Udinese, a strong team that has introduced new strategies. “For us the points are vital, I want to see a great group,” he concluded, indicating that the next match will be an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of Toro and its will to obtain important results.