This week's guest on Udinese Tonight was Oier Zarraga, the scorer of our opening goal in Saturday's 2-1 victory at Cagliari.
The midfielder chatted about the match in Sardinia, his progress, personal and team goals, and his life in the Basque Country and Friuli.
The programme began with the news that Udinese fans cleaned the away stand in Cagliari after the game – something Zarraga was surprised by. “That's part of football as well,” he said. “It's not just supporting your team. I think it's amazing and I want to thank the fans on behalf of the team.”
The players themselves make a habit of leaving the visitors' dressing room spotless when they play away from home.
“It's like when you're a guest at someone else's house. You try to leave everything as you found it. It's a matter of respect. If every team did the same, it would become normal.”
Talk then turned to Saturday's success in Cagliari. “We needed that win. We never stopped working well but we went lots of games without picking up points. We managed to beat a tough team at a difficult ground, plus the pitch was very dry and it was hot. It was a great team victory and we deserved it.
“We've changed formation in the last two games and that helped but some people thought we'd eased off and we showed that we haven't. We've always worked hard. We got that point against Bologna and then we showed what we're about in Cagliari. We're pleased with the win – that's what we need to do every week.
“I got the feeling I was going to play on Saturday. We knew [Martin] Payero wouldn't be playing, but you have to be ready even when you don't think you're going to play – perhaps even more so.
"Maybe I think too much when I'm not playing but then it helps me on the pitch. I take everything in because I try to understand why players do certain things.
“I'd like to play all the time but when you don't you can't go and ask the coach. The only way to play more is to keep showing what you can do in training and in matches. You have to seize the opportunities you get. I find I'm able to stay focused all the time and that helps me and my team-mates.”