23 January 2023
23 January 2023

Masina: "I can't wait to get started again"

Our defender speaks to Udinese Tonight ahead of his return to training

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After a difficult few months on sidelines, Adam Masina is raring to go again. The Moroccan defender, who joined the club last summer, has been recovering from cruciate ligament surgery in September and is set to return to training this week.
 
“At last I'm nearly there,” the 29-year-old said on Monday's Udinese Tonight show. 
 
“I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I'll start training with the rest of the lads again tomorrow. I can't wait to get started again.” 
 
Masina commented on the team's positive first half of the season, with 28 points being the best return since the days of Francesco Guidolin.
 
“We can't shy away now. We've shown we're a very good team but we mustn't settle for that. We have to show we're a great team and I'm sure we are. The pitch will be the ultimate judge.”
 
Udinese returned to winning ways against Sampdoria thanks to the team pulling together after the home defeat to Bologna
 
“Immediately after the game against Bologna, our captain [Roberto] Pereyra went to speak to the president together with the coach and sporting director to find a solution. It was decided we'd spend the week together as a team and we accepted it. We weren't happy about not winning either. 
 
“We're all ambitious and we want to raise the bar. Personally I didn't join from Watford to settle for staying up or for an anonymous campaign. The results weren't coming for us for a while and we have to accept that, but we all care about this club – there's a strong sense of belonging here. I can assure you we all want more, from the youngest to the oldest.
 
“It started with a few draws, including a couple of important ones against Atalanta and Lazio, then there were other games in which we failed to pick up points but it's nothing to be ashamed of because every team in Serie A is capable of winning. Maybe we lost a bit of the enthusiasm that helped us give 200%. If you don't give more than 100% in every game, you can lose to anyone. I think we always played well; there was just the occasional lapse in concentration, like against Juve – we played really well and lost points because of a single error. We want to show our fans how determined we are to achieve big things.”
 
Masina also revealed what it was like being part of the dressing room but not the team in Udine, as well as missing Morocco's World Cup campaign.
 
“I haven't been with the guys on the field but I've always been close to the squad. I wasn't able to help with my legs and lungs so I had to do it with words instead. I like helping the younger players to develop and improve.
 
“I missed out on a great World Cup but I'm very happy for Morocco and for my friends. I spoke to the captain several times to give him and my team-mates support.”
 
At the end of the programme, the defender answered some questions sent in by the fans, including how many matches he hopes to play in the second half of the campaign.
 
“Once I start playing again I'd like to play every game! It all depends on my fitness and how my knee responds but I'm desperate to return. It would be like my personal redemption. It's up to the coach of course and I'll accept whatever he decide but I'll do my bit. 
 
“As for the future, at the moment my idea is to stay in Udine. I'm very happy here. There's a great atmosphere and I'm fully focused on Udinese. I have a three-year contract and I want to do the best I can.”