Udinese coach Andrea Sottil and his number 10 Gerard Deulofeu were guests of honour at the opening ceremony of Friuli Doc on Thursday evening. After a blistering performance against Roma at the weekend and an excellent start to the league, leaving the side currently in fourth spot on 10 points, the two Udinese representatives took to the stage for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the 28th edition of this event.
Sottil used the opportunity to talk about his relationship with the people of Udine. “It’s a pleasure to receive this invitation. We’re proud to be here. The enthusiasm of the fans is amazing. Everyone supports their city and team with a real sense of belonging.”
He hailed his team’s start to the season but warned of the importance of staying calm and focused. “I’m lucky to have a great set of players to work with. We are really happy and satisfied with what we’ve done but we know that we need to be consistent. That’s what we’re focusing on in our preparations for Sassuolo. We want to put in a great performance.”
Deulofeu was full of praise for the manager. “I'm really happy with and proud of Sottil. My family and I are very happy in Udine and the region more broadly. We really enjoy being here. The people of Udine deserve a team that lives up to their expectations.”