On the eve of the home match against Sassuolo, the “bianconero” coach Gigi Delneri spoke at the press conference. Here what he said.
How much does Udinese want to return winning?
"We want to make a good game. Until the 2-0, we played well and the rivals were lucky to score – that second goal was basically an own goal. The quality of Fiorentina’s game is high but the result didn’t reflect what happened on the field. We always have to analyze everything with rationality and attention."
What kind of match is going to be the tomorrow’s one?
"For years Sassuolo is well known as a strengthened team with a strong identity. Now, we are planning our game and the team is motivated and the atmosphere is going to give us a strong help. We are craving to return winning after the defeat in Florence, even if we know the championship is always different and winning a match could be the solution for many problems”.
Are you going to change anything?
"Not in the system of play. Badu will substitute Fofana or Jankto but I don’t think any variations are going to happen. We want to allow players to get their revenge after the match against Fiorentina. Tomorrow is going to be hard and we have to deeply focus. Many opponent players have return on the field; the match against Chievo doesn’t count because of the expulsion. Although being numerically less on the field is not always a bad thing. Berardi, Defrel, Matri, Duncan, Pellegrini, Aquilani, Acerbi, Peluso, Cannavaro: they are all very important players so it’s not going to be so simple."
Where would you put Zico on the field?
"I would let him play anywhere he wants to. People talked so much about this event, which is very important for Friuli. He’s a champion who gave visibility to Udine and Friuli. He brought us the highest Brazilian quality game. Yesterday he gave us precious directions: we never have to be too much confident in our skills. Let’s say that he gave us good pieces of advice and we have to focus on them. Excited Brazilians? I believe that when you are on the field on Sunday, the only thing you care is the match. So the only thing we have to do is playing the match in order to go on and climb the table. And never let down our guard."
What would you like to see and avoid tomorrow?
"In the last matches, we “failed” only in Empoli but against Milan we played a good game. In Verona we suffered but we resisted against a good team, as we demonstrated against Sassuolo. Negative episodes are always possible but the most important thing is to stay united and positive. I want my team to play strategically and attack rivals; I want that my players could be always inclined to go on rather than go backwards. For me, my players are the best in Italy. I firmly believe in them but I want them to be more brave and inventive because there are many different ways to lose a match. The most important thing is to always believe in what you are doing”.
Di Francesco described Sassuolo as ready to attack.
"We should be ready too. Di Francesco is right; they are precise and their game lines are really schematic so this is why the match will be tough and we need to put so much effort. At the first leg match many players weren’t present but tomorrow they will be on the field. Anyway, I don’t consider this as a disadvantage because we want to fight and measure against rivals at their best. This is the message I send to Di Francesco, that I define as a great coach”.
How is Gabriel Silva doing?
"He’s with us. If he doesn’t find a solution abroad, he could be put in our team as a player like him is missing. Last Thursday I considered putting him on the right side; he well knows that environment and this is positive. Thursday matches? He provides different solutions but he does the same during the training session. Many players have played a good game Thursday. It’s important that we are all ready to enter on field in any moment. The real player knows how to be decisive even if he enters during the match."
Are you afraid by Zapata goals lack?
"Statistics are growing. Petagna scored 5 goals but Atalanta has no doubt on him because he’s so much important for the game development. He has an incredible strength, makes aggressive actions, not afraid of the physical contact, active on the direct contact on the defense line, attacks on the field. For me, he’s fundamental and I let him play. Goals don’t mind me because he’s able to create on average two-three solutions by himself in every match. I can’t pretend he scores loads of goals, as Higuain does. By the way, there’s growth margin. We aren’t autonomous and we can’t be always justified when we make mistakes but we have to ponder the amount of work on our shoulders every week. If he loosens up a bit, he could gain some self-esteem and return to score regularly but this doesn’t affect what he creates on the filed and his great willpower. I have put so much trust in him and in what he does”.
How much does Udinese want to return winning?
"We want to make a good game. Until the 2-0, we played well and the rivals were lucky to score – that second goal was basically an own goal. The quality of Fiorentina’s game is high but the result didn’t reflect what happened on the field. We always have to analyze everything with rationality and attention."
What kind of match is going to be the tomorrow’s one?
"For years Sassuolo is well known as a strengthened team with a strong identity. Now, we are planning our game and the team is motivated and the atmosphere is going to give us a strong help. We are craving to return winning after the defeat in Florence, even if we know the championship is always different and winning a match could be the solution for many problems”.
Are you going to change anything?
"Not in the system of play. Badu will substitute Fofana or Jankto but I don’t think any variations are going to happen. We want to allow players to get their revenge after the match against Fiorentina. Tomorrow is going to be hard and we have to deeply focus. Many opponent players have return on the field; the match against Chievo doesn’t count because of the expulsion. Although being numerically less on the field is not always a bad thing. Berardi, Defrel, Matri, Duncan, Pellegrini, Aquilani, Acerbi, Peluso, Cannavaro: they are all very important players so it’s not going to be so simple."
Where would you put Zico on the field?
"I would let him play anywhere he wants to. People talked so much about this event, which is very important for Friuli. He’s a champion who gave visibility to Udine and Friuli. He brought us the highest Brazilian quality game. Yesterday he gave us precious directions: we never have to be too much confident in our skills. Let’s say that he gave us good pieces of advice and we have to focus on them. Excited Brazilians? I believe that when you are on the field on Sunday, the only thing you care is the match. So the only thing we have to do is playing the match in order to go on and climb the table. And never let down our guard."
What would you like to see and avoid tomorrow?
"In the last matches, we “failed” only in Empoli but against Milan we played a good game. In Verona we suffered but we resisted against a good team, as we demonstrated against Sassuolo. Negative episodes are always possible but the most important thing is to stay united and positive. I want my team to play strategically and attack rivals; I want that my players could be always inclined to go on rather than go backwards. For me, my players are the best in Italy. I firmly believe in them but I want them to be more brave and inventive because there are many different ways to lose a match. The most important thing is to always believe in what you are doing”.
Di Francesco described Sassuolo as ready to attack.
"We should be ready too. Di Francesco is right; they are precise and their game lines are really schematic so this is why the match will be tough and we need to put so much effort. At the first leg match many players weren’t present but tomorrow they will be on the field. Anyway, I don’t consider this as a disadvantage because we want to fight and measure against rivals at their best. This is the message I send to Di Francesco, that I define as a great coach”.
How is Gabriel Silva doing?
"He’s with us. If he doesn’t find a solution abroad, he could be put in our team as a player like him is missing. Last Thursday I considered putting him on the right side; he well knows that environment and this is positive. Thursday matches? He provides different solutions but he does the same during the training session. Many players have played a good game Thursday. It’s important that we are all ready to enter on field in any moment. The real player knows how to be decisive even if he enters during the match."
Are you afraid by Zapata goals lack?
"Statistics are growing. Petagna scored 5 goals but Atalanta has no doubt on him because he’s so much important for the game development. He has an incredible strength, makes aggressive actions, not afraid of the physical contact, active on the direct contact on the defense line, attacks on the field. For me, he’s fundamental and I let him play. Goals don’t mind me because he’s able to create on average two-three solutions by himself in every match. I can’t pretend he scores loads of goals, as Higuain does. By the way, there’s growth margin. We aren’t autonomous and we can’t be always justified when we make mistakes but we have to ponder the amount of work on our shoulders every week. If he loosens up a bit, he could gain some self-esteem and return to score regularly but this doesn’t affect what he creates on the filed and his great willpower. I have put so much trust in him and in what he does”.