Runjaic: "Can't wait to start. We want to make it tough for Como"

Kosta Runjaic held a press conference on Friday ahead of Udinese's Serie A opener at home to Como on Saturday evening.

 

Here's what he had to say:

 

 

“You can dream but you should never settle for what you have – you must always keep working and showing ambition. As for European football, like with anything else, you have to really want it, but in football it's essential to focus on one game at a time. We know what we need to do on the pitch to achieve certain goals. I'd like to improve on last season but even if we're to only take a small step forward we must work hard every day and give our all. We've lost [Thomas] Kristensen and [Arthur] Atta. I'm happy with the squad we have but it's a different scenario, so we need to make adjustments. We're also going to be without [Christian] Kabasele for the first two games so that's a situation we need to deal with.

 

“I can't promise anything other than that we'll put everything into it and I'll do all I can to ensure everyone has the ideal conditions to work in. We must keep our focus high. Doing better than last season is already an ambitious target and it won't be easy but I don't like to look too far ahead – I prefer to concentrate on Como. It's going to be a big challenge for us. I can't wait for the season to start and to see our fans again. We'll learn something from every game and see how we get on week by week.”

 

 

“I can't say I'm not happy with my team but I always want more. Pre-season is over but we haven't finished preparing – you need those first 10-15 games to get into form and work so that you can reap the rewards later. We've laid some good foundations and I'm optimistic about my team's condition. Teamwork is the key: you need a team that works together as one, especially without the ball.”

 

“We've trained well in pre-season. Tomorrow is the real deal against a team with clear ideas who have strengthened further. I believe in my players and we need games like this to help us grow. It would be great to start off with a good result.”

 

 

“I'm very happy to have [Mergim] Vojvoda with us. He's settled in well and is already an important dressing-room figure. I've spoken to him about Como and he told me they see us as a tough opponent and that's what we want to be this time too. We'll be up against a well-drilled side with a coach who has been given a free rein to mould the team the way he wanted. We've analysed them and we'll try to play the way we know we can. We want to make it tough for them.”

 

 

“The stories about [Adam] Buksa are true. I gave my ok to his transfer. He won't be with us tomorrow – he's already left. He wasn't very lucky last season but he still managed to score three goals and he was a top professional. He had hoped to play more and help more but it wasn't an easy season for him. I wish him all the best. I hope he can rediscover his form in Spain and score lots of goals. He's a top lad.

 

“We'll see if we bring in any more strikers. The transfer window is still open. I'm in daily contact with the club and we're keeping watch on all fronts. There are still a few days left.”

 

 

“All of our available defenders could play. We have [Enzo] Ebosse too, who did well at Torino in the second half of last season. We obviously won't have Kristensen or Kabasele, but we have other players who are ready. I haven't made up my mind about who will play but I have faith in all of them and I'm sure they'll give their all, as they do every day in training. We know all about Como's quality. They have plenty of weapons but we want to get them on the back foot.” 

 

 

“At the moment our formation is 3-4-2-1, but we've played 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 too. We have versatile players who can adapt to different systems. At the start of the season it's best not to change formation too much. In any case our playing philosophy doesn't change regardless of how I set up the team on the pitch. I can tell you we'll play with three at the back tomorrow as that's what we've worked on until now. We might change mid-match – [Cesc] Fabregas did that last time we played against them.”