Destiny Udogie was a guest on Udinese Tonight and gave his thoughts on a variety of topics.
Regarding the Coppa Italia round of sixteen tie in the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio, the full-back was forthright: “It’s always a tough game, but we’ll go there to win it. We’ll give our all to try to get a positive result.”
Udogie is happy with how his season has gone so far, his first as a member of Udinese’s starting 11 in Serie A: “I feel good playing as a wing-back as I like to attack and get forward. I get a lot of space and freedom playing in this position.”
He was regarded as Udinese’s best player in their away defeat to Juventus, and the number 13 keeps demanding more of himself: “I made a few bad judgement calls with some risky passes, but I made up for it subsequently.”
As for how Covid has played its part in affecting the team in recent weeks, Udogie confirmed that “it’s been tough; we’ve had many absentees. Not training as a group makes things difficult, but players are coming back and we’re focused ahead of the Lazio game.”
When comparing former manager Luca Gotti and current boss Gabriele Cioffi, Udogie stated that “we’re tighter and more aggressive now; we try to play further forward and press high. We’re keener to win the ball back in the opposition’s half.”
Udogie talked about his beginnings in football and his love for the game from an early age: “My brother started playing football before me, now he’s studying engineering at university. When I was four my mum took me to do a trial and there I saw what I wanted to achieve." Both of Udogie’s parents are Nigerian and met in Padua; it was love at first sight. "Now we are a beautiful family," the full-back says with a grin on his face.
The young defender feels like the Udinese squad is a like a big family as well. He has a particularly close friendship with Jean-Victor Makengo and Brandon Soppy: “Jean-Victor was one of the first players who came to me and explained what this city and team are all about. He’s my closest friend in football. Me and Brandon also get on well. Daniele Padelli gives me a lot of advice and spurs me on, as does Bram Nuytinck. The team really looks after the youngsters which I appreciate.”
Udogie is also a big fan of the city of Udine: “It’s a relaxed place; I don’t go out a lot though. I prefer to stay at home with friends and play video games, but it’s a lovely place I’d like to get to know better.”