Runjaic: “Pleased with our start but staying grounded”

Kosta Runjaic spoke to the media on Friday ahead of Udinese's home game against AC Milan. Here's what he had to say:

 

 

“We're pleased with the way we've started this year but it's a long season and in football you have to be careful in every match. We have to keep working and focusing on one game at a time. It's different to last season but it's good to have seven points after our first three matches again. We'll try to produce a great performance against Milan. It's up to us to continue our good start. We must stay grounded. We want to improve and be consistent with our performances and our results – which is where we came up short last season. To do that we must keep giving our all regardless of who our opponents

 

“Milan are a very different team to last year. They've looked good to me so far. They're a well balanced team with some great players. It's going to be a difficult game but we can't wait to play it. Their start tells you they'll be high up the table. I don't know how high we can go but we want to play well tomorrow.” 

 

 

“Don't change a winning team? It depends. Depending on the opposition, you might have different ideas but in every game we want our principles, our compactness, our discipline, our focus, and so far we've done that. In these first few games, we've shown what we want to do, but we've also made mistakes we could have avoided and we must make sure we don't repeat them against Milan but a team of that calibre will make you pay for them.

 

“I'm happy with my team for the energy they've shown, their cohesion, and the way they're working. They all know they have to improve and they want to improve. It's a pleasure working with them. Tomorrow we want to transfer the work we've done on the training ground onto the pitch.

 

“I can't tell you who will start but apart from [Sandi] Lovric everyone is available, including [Vakoun] Bayo, and I'm happy about that. We have quality options on the bench and that's a great thing for a coach to have, even though it makes picking the team more difficult.”

 

 

“[Lennon] Miller doesn't need to be taught how to play football. He's quality but he has to integrate with the team and he hasn't played much the last few months. He's training well and making progress. He's diligent and we're being careful about his development. We're aware of his past injury problems and we want to be cautious. He's improving and he's been welcomed well here. He's a good lad and I'm happy to have him here. He brings quality to the squad and little by little he'll have more of an impact on the team.”

 

 

“[Nicolo] Zaniolo has been working well from day one. He's happy here and we're happy with him so there's no problem. Helping him settle in and find his fitness is tricky because training is important but time on the pitch is crucial. He played more than we planned against Pisa because I wanted to have a better look at him on the pitch. It was a difficult match in an intimidating atmosphere. We didn't have much of the ball in the second half and he's the sort of player who likes to be on the ball. It was a good opportunity to improve his fitness but he can give us a lot more. Tomorrow we're going to need a team performance but we'll also need players who can turn the game, so Zaniolo will get his chance. although not from the start. He might start in the Coppa Italia. 

 

“In that game we'll be able to have a better look at the newcomers and they'll be able to improve their understanding. Training is one thing but a match is another. We have an interesting week with three games so lots of them will get to play. We'll rotate and get to know everyone better.”

 

 

“[Jurgen] Ekkelenkamp has to train with intensity and calm if he wants to improve. We talk to him all the time. He knows he'll get opportunities but he also knows there's a lot of competition and in order to play you have to perform well. It's a good thing as it means you can rest a player who's not 100% and competition motivates everyone to give their all.

 

“He worked well in pre-season then he had a small injury. He's fine now and it's up to him to prove himself. He's got talent and experience and he'll get chances. It's good to have him in the squad and he can give us something extra. He just has to show it on the pitch.”

 

 

“I'll talk to [Luka] Modric if I get the chance. I'm happy that a player like that is playing in Udine. I admired him at Real Madrid. He's an extraordinary player. You look at his performance levels at the age of 40 and he's an example for any athlete with his work ethic and discipline on and off the field. I watched Milan's game against Bologna and Modric is their midfield metronome. He knows exactly how to move and how the others move. There's nothing to say about his quality. He settled in quickly at Milan and he's a key player for them.”