09 January 2022
09 January 2022

Marino: "It wasn’t a match, we were martyred"

Udinese’s technical director was speaking after the defeat to Atalanta

“It wasn’t a match, we were martyred”. Those were the words of Pierpaolo Marino speaking to journalists after the game against Atalanta. “I can’t give any comment on the sporting aspect because there was no competition. I am here instead of the coaches or players but what can I say?”
 
The technical director also commented on the management of the delicate situation related to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the squad. 
 
“The players and the staff were forced to meet up on Sunday morning, some who had just tested negative after a two-week break. We had youngsters from the youth team on the bench who hadn’t played in 20 days. 
 
“We need to ask ourselves why this happened, why it was the regional court to overturn the decision by the local health authority. They say the show must go on but what show was there today?” asked Marino. 
 
He concluded, “Udinese’s situation is being watched by everybody. In 44 years on the job I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s deeply embarrassing, those making the decisions don’t care about the situation in Udine. The result that will show in the records will be remembered as a stain but the players and the coach were heroes, showing courage to do what they could.”