Hassane Kamara, smiling as always – even more so after the win against Lecce – was the latest player to appear on Udinese Tonight.
The Ivory Coast wing-back chatted about Saturday's game, his rivalry and friendship with Jordan Zemura, Udinese's goals for the season and some of his other team-mates.
Saturday's win against Lecce and the team's recent form was the first topic of conversation.
“We're happy. We hadn't won at home since March so it was a very important win. If we look at the game against Cagliari, we played with the right energy but wasted lots of opportunities to score. Against Cremonese we started badly but then we got at them and the energy was good. The victory against Lecce was the continuation of those performances. It's annoying when you don't win but we were always focused on the job. We kept working away and got there in the end.”
Kamara explained that the atmosphere in the dressing room has also been a factor this season.
“We have more or less the same players and that helps. When you change lots of players it's hard to have a close-knit group. This year the team spirit is even better and we have lots of quality. When things aren't going well, we stick together.”
The 31-year-old feels the criticism levelled at Kosta Runjaic in recent weeks was excessive.
“It's a shame about the criticism. You only have to look at how much things have changed compared to two years ago. Criticism is understandable when you're not winning, but it was good for us too and now we're happy after this win.
“I get on well with the coach. We talk man to man. He makes the decisions and sometimes I play and sometimes I don't. But we have a good relationship and we're open with each other.”
Hassane is also on good terms with Zemura, his direct competitor for the starting berth on the left flank.
“We're friends and we get on well. Obviously I'm not happy when I'm not playing but I have a good relationship with him. I was calm when I wasn't playing and since I've been back in the team we haven't lost and I've performed well. Sometimes it's better for the team not to change but we're both vying for the shirt. If you want a strong team, you need two good players for every position. It motivates us too as we know we have to always give 100% to earn our place.”
Kamara was one of the better performers against Lecce and he admits he was pleased with his own display.
“Lecce was my best game so far this season. I had a lot of touches of the ball in the first half, then in the second I had to focus more on defending, but I did both things well.”
Maduka Okoye, however, was given some flak over the free kick scored by Medon Berisha, but Kamara was quick to defend his team-mate.
“From what I could see on the pitch, the ball was hit really hard and it caught everyone by surprise. I'm not a goalkeeper so I can't really say much more. What I can say is that Maduka is a great lad. He's improved since last season but he didn't play for four months and it's different during a match. You have to assess lots of things and if you make the slightest mistake you concede. Winning is good for him too. He needs time and we'll stick behind him to give him confidence. We owe him that because he's saved us lots of times.”
Another player who played well on Saturday is Keinan Davis – a striker Hassane says he has a good understanding with, as he did last year with Lorenzo Lucca.
“It's easier to play long balls with Davis because he holds the ball up well. Lucca was easier to find in the box while Davis is easier to link up with.”