Serie A may be on hold for the World Cup but work continues apace at club headquarters at Dacia Arena, as Franco Collavino explained.
“We're making the most of the break to work on new ideas and initiatives. It's the first time we've experienced a situation like this and it's very strange – it feels like a South American league season,” the Udinese general manager observed.
The coaching staff and players are enjoying a well-earned rest but not for much longer, with training set to resume on 25 November. Unlike other clubs, Udinese have decided to remain in the city to prepare for when Serie A resumes in the new year.
"We decided it's for the best. We're lucky to have top-class facilities with pitches and equipment to enable us to do everything we need right here. The idea of the Pozzo family to build a sports complex like the one we have at Dacia Arena was genius.
“We'll organise a series of friendlies against strong teams in Udine. I can't tell you the names right now but they'll be confirmed over the coming days.”
The managing director then commented on the team's positive start to the campaign.
“It's a journey that we began last season and we saw good signs of at the end of the campaign. A combination of things have come together: the top-level players we have and the ability of Andrea Sottil. Having learned the ropes in lower leagues, he's shown he's not only ready to coach at this level but also very capable of instilling a sense of belonging in the team.
“The togetherness of the squad has been crucial. [Pierpaolo] Marino and Sottil have done a great job of fostering the right spirit within the camp and everyone feels involved. It's important we maintain our intensity and quality by training well during this break. There will be lots of games when we start again and not so many opportunities to catch up any lost ground. Our goal is to stay at this level.”
On the contribution of the Udinese supporters: “We've had an average attendance of over 21,500 for our home games and the Dacia Arena crowd has been crucial. Our results have kindled greater interest in the fans and they've followed us in large numbers showing passion and pride at our away matches too.”
Meanwhile Simone Pafundi's call-up to the senior Italy squad is demonstration of the quality work done by the Udinese youth academy.
“It's a tremendous source of pride for the entire club and reward for all the work we do,” Collavino continued. “Last year [FIGC president Gabriele] Gravina told us that [Roberto] Mancini was following our starlet with interest. I think the FIGC wanted to give recognition to our club. We've long been recognised as a club capable of polishing rough diamonds, less so for bringing youngsters through from the academy, but that's something we've focused on a lot in recent years.
“Our Udinese Academy project has 50 affiliated clubs with whom we share our values and expertise. That's why Simone's success story is so wonderful – and we hope there are many more pages still to be written.
“Pafundi has a contract with us and it is not close to expiry. Clubs and agents cannot approach him about transferring elsewhere. The rules are very clear. I strongly believe that with the work we're doing – and which his family are an integral part of – Simone has a very bright future at our club.”
Two of the most impressive performers in the first half of the season were Becao and Walace, both of whom have been at the club for a several years now.
“Walace is yet another example of how Udine is the ideal environment for players to develop, thanks to the incredible attention to detail of our staff and the facilities we have at Dacia Arena. His contract extension further strengthens our position. Lots of clubs showed interest in him during the summer, including Flamengo, but he decided to remain, has kept knuckling down and the results are there to see.”