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The Giallorossi picked up their first three points of the 2020-21 season against Udinese, thanks to Pedro's brilliant second half strike.
What are your thoughts after that game?
“It was really important to win today. The team played well against Verona and against Juventus, but we didn’t win those games. We knew it would be a tough game against a side that likes to close the spaces between the lines and are very dangerous on the counter-attack.
“In the first half we did basically everything right up until the final ball. At times we were a bit less aggressive when we lost the ball, but overall we played a controlled game. After scoring we knew that the main thing was to win: it was key that we worked together to see the game out.”
The performances of Antonio Mirante, Davide Santon and Roger Ibanez showed how confident they are right now. Ibanez looks like a star in the making…
“It’s important to see my players are improving. It’s true that Ibanez put in a great performance, as did Antonio and Santon. I like to see my players out there full of confidence. I am positive with my players and because of that I think they put in a great performance.”
Santon and Spinazzola in particular made it difficult for Udinese tonight, but when we went through the middle sometimes we struggled…
“Yes, it’s true: we lost the ball at times and that allowed Udinese to launch counter-attacks. When we lost the ball around their penalty area we weren’t as aggressive as we could have been and we allowed them to start on the counter. However, I think we pretty much always had the long ball under control.”
You asked your team to be patient today – were they, or would you have liked to see even more?
“The team played in a controlled way. When we realised that the main thing was to see out the game and the result, the squad was focused on that.
"We can’t always win while playing in the opposition half all the time. I was glad to see the team remain so focused and united, to see this one out.”
Could you eventually change the system, to play with two strikers and one playmaker in behind?
“Let’s see – we are ready to play in two different formations right now. With two out-and-out strikers it wouldn’t be straightforward at this moment. But we are able to play with four in midfield, and a No. 10 as well. The team has often played like that, more or less.
“In some moments in some games, when we aren’t winning, then we could look to play with two strikers. But to start a match with two strikers is not something we could do right now, the team hasn’t worked on that.”
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