“The match against Lazio will be a good training session for the away match against Genoa”

The coach who packaged the blitz at Juventus in 2000 talks about the match seen in Turin and the prospects of the bianconeri

THE INTERVIEW

“Udinese is worth more than the classification they have, they showed it also in Turin, and I think they will prove it even more once they have overcome this turbulent phase that has strongly conditioned them”. The voice of the experience is Gigi De Canio, 681 career coaching benches, 92 of which at the helm of Udinese with whom he had the satisfaction of beating Juventus in Turin (1-2) in 2000, thanks to the brace signed by the “Pampa” Sosa.

How does De Canio judge the performance of the Zebretta?

«Udinese played their good game in relation to what it was possible for them to do at this particular moment. Juve had to start attacking because it came from a bloody defeat in the Super Cup and despite the few training sessions Cioffi’s team held up, giving an important response and keeping the match in balance even in the final ».

Let’s open the parenthesis on the lack of training which Cioffi regretted …

«Unfortunately Covid affects the championship and other teams are also having many problems, but it is certain that Udinese have had more. This factor is then joined by the emotional aspect that can affect the level of attention to be maintained in games like these. All this, to say that training instills more safety and therefore the lack of real work is conditioning: it undermines the belief that the player has in his own means ».

By taking into account these factors, could Udinese have done something more?

«We would do our intelligence a disservice if we tried to make technical tactical evaluations and we need intellectual honesty in understanding the difficult situations we have had. Then I understand that all the coaches like to do, but any judgment we can give is conditional and relative to the difficulties encountered ».

What do you think of the penalty not granted to Soppy?

“If you see something like this you get angry, then the Var has not decided and there is always the question of when to intervene, since it is a support tool for the referee”.

Among the encouraging signs Walace and Arslan are growing.

“It is normal that this is the case because there is a price to pay for everyone, called acclimatization, but if you also mature from the point of view of the knowledge of the language, and of the knowledge of football, you grow up”.

De Canio, on Saturday there is Genoa, first the Italian Cup with Lazio.

«The Cup must be exploited to make a serious and true training because the match remains the most training means known. It is also ideal for recovering the condition also from a psychological point of view ».

Is it too early to express an opinion on Cioffi’s management?

«He made good results, but it is clear that he cannot express himself on the value and potential. Then you have to see who you work with and the discussion applies to each of us, because a very good coach does nothing without good players, while a good team can do it even without a good coach ».