18 September 2022
18 September 2022

Sottil hails "great performance" against Inter

The coach shared his thoughts after the game

Sottil Udi-Int.jpg
Andrea Sottil cut a delighted figure after watching his team pick up their fifth win on the bounce, earning a fully deserved 3-1 win over Inter on Sunday afternoon. 

Speaking after the match, he had this to say about the game: "It was a great performance today, from start to finish – hunger, grit and quality. It's not easy to turn the match around after falling behind early against a side like Inter, but I kept saying to the guys to focus on ourselves. We got forward and created a great deal, deservedly picking up the win.

"It was a performance of good pressing and intensity. Our strength is getting everyone involved. We're on the right track and need to keep going."

The coach also reserved praise for those who came off the bench, as well as the starters: "Those who started and those who came on did well – everyone wants to play our football. Well done to the boys and the staff. Cristian Bella has been with me since Serie D. The fitness preparation is thanks to all the staff. When you reach your goals it's always thanks to everyone. I have extraordinary staff."

Sottil continued: "I don't want to be rhetorical, but I am overjoyed and I will celebrate the satisfaction our league standing gives us today. But I always stay balanced. We're still at the start of the season. We must be proud – we have shown that we are very competitive, but then we'll think about preparing the away match in Verona.

"I think this team still has room for improvement. We can enjoy working hard every day – the players have an incredible engine. I always say that we play the way we train. We're also working hard on the mental side of things, to get angry when you misplace a pass in training."

Commenting again on the display against the Nerazzurri, he added: "We created a lot and had Inter on the ropes. We need to keep going like this because today the lads were admirable. 

"The atmosphere in this stadium is wonderful. The Dacia Arena is fantastic and lends itself to this kind of ambiance. The boys ignited the fans' enthusiasm, and they dragged them along. It creates symbiosis, because you love those who sweat for the jersey. We must continue like this."

On Jaka Bijol, who scored the crucial second goal, the coach said: "Sometimes he's too honest but he already has a lot of experience and needs more as a central defender. I am convinced that Jaka can still grow in terms of defensive leadership."

"[Roberto] Pereyra on the right, is an extraordinary player," he continues. "He interprets the role in a very dynamic way and he's difficult to track. He's excellent in helping us get up the pitch. It will be difficult to move him from there. It is working very well, and he can continue in that role or shift during games."

Sottil also revealed what went on behind the scenes of Udinese's second goal: "I was angry because [Lazar] Samardzic didn't take the corner quickly, then it worked out with Gerry [Deulofeu] putting the ball over to Bijol!"