11 February 2023
11 February 2023

Sottil: "Determined to produce a big performance in front of our fans"

The coach looks ahead to Sunday's lunchtime clash with Sassuolo at Dacia Arena

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Read what Andrea Sottil had to say on the eve of Udinese's Serie A Week 22 fixture against Sassuolo.
 
ATMOSPHERE IN THE CAMP
 
“This is a first-rate club with extraordinary people, players and staff who work hard every day to improve us. The decision to stay together as a team in the build-up to this game shows that we're all in this together. No one was happy with how we played against Torino and we've worked even harder, which is central to the Udinese philosophy. It's been an excellent week. The lads have trained like mad with incredible focus to prepare for this match."
 
SASSUOLO 
 
“We respect Sassuolo. They have some excellent players both in their starting line-up and among their alternatives. [Alessio] Dionisi has been working with them for two years now and he's doing a great job. They play intense, attractive football. We know all about Sassuolo. It's true that they come into this after two good wins but we have the desire and the determination to produce a top performance in front of our fans. We want to play very well and hopefully get a big result, without being obsessed with winning at all costs. We must be clear-headed, organised and smart. We have the quality and the strength to cause problems for Sassuolo."
 
FITNESS UPDATES
 
“The players are in good physical shape and are all available. [Roberto] Pereyra has recovered and started training with the team again this week. 
 
“[Adam] Masina has made a very quick recovery. He's an extraordinary guy with incredible willpower and a very positive attitude. He's been back in full training for two weeks now. He's in good shape and will only get better. He just needs a bit of time to adjust. We're all happy to have a great player back.
 
“[Florian] Thauvin is improving too. He wasn't unfit when he got here but he hadn't been playing regularly and the change of climate and league can slow things down. He's come in with desire and determination and has had a good week. We'll see how many minutes we can get out of him."
 
TURKEY/SYRIA
 
“It's a terrible tragedy. It's saddening to see those images and you can't help but be supportive. I pray for those people. Tolgay [Arslan] is really down about it as you'd expect. We all have to support him and everyone involved."
 
FRIULI FAITHFUL
 
“I've run out of words to describe our fans. They've always got behind the team and always believed in us. We're going to have a full stadium tomorrow and they'll be fired up. We must produce a big performance and we'll be ready for it.”