Kosta Runjaic, the German coach of Udinese, reflects on his journey in Italian football, reminiscing about the memorable match that marked the beginning of his adventure in Bologna. “It all started here with the Bologna-Udinese match that ended in a 1-1 draw,” he recalls, referring to the game held on August 18, 2024, where a penalty from Ursu and an equalizer by Giannetti held the scoreline. He acknowledges the luck they had that day, but emphasizes his belief that this Udinese squad is significantly improved compared to the previous season.
Runjaic expressed confidence going into their upcoming match against Bologna, which he believes is currently one of the strongest teams in the league. “They have quality players, and notably Ursu, who is arguably the best Italian winger right now,” he pointed out. However, he remains optimistic about Udinese’s prospects as they prepare to play at home, where they’ve secured two consecutive victories against Lecce and Atalanta. The coach noted that home victories are crucial for their championship ambitions.
The match is expected to see enthusiastic support from over two thousand Bologna fans, led by club president Joey Saputo. Looking back at their previous encounters in Friuli, Runjaic mentions a recent 0-0 draw in April and a disappointing 0-3 defeat last December, underscoring the challenges they have faced on that pitch. With the home crowd behind them, Udinese hopes to turn the tide and build momentum in this league campaign.