New Udinese Coach Igor Tudor prepares for his debut against relegated Benevento and admits the team is “depressed” after 11 straight losses.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Massimo Oddo was fired this week after a club record 11 consecutive defeats, with former Juventus and Siena defender Tudor appointed.
New Udinese Coach Igor Tudor prepares for his debut against relegated Benevento and admits the team is “depressed” after 11 straight losses.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Massimo Oddo was fired this week after a club record 11 consecutive defeats, with former Juventus and Siena defender Tudor appointed.
“It is clear to everyone that Benevento’s position in the table does not reflect their form, as they deservedly beat Milan at San Siro last week, they play good football and are on home turf,” said Tudor in his Press conference.
The 40-year-old has been in management since 2013, coaching Hajduk Split, PAOK Salonika, Karabukspor and Galatasaray.
“I told the lads to look themselves in the mirror and think of what’s important. I found the team as I expected, which is a side that has lost 11 games in a row. They’re good lads and not accustomed to this situation.
“They are depressed and anxious, but that’s only natural. I did what I could in a short space of time, both on the field and in their mentality. I expect a good performance.
“Losing 11 in a row is already an enormous weight on their shoulders, we mustn’t put more pressure on them. We’ve tried to unite the group and clearly there is a psychological block right now, but we also worked on tactics and physical fitness. The only way to ease that pressure is to get a result.
“The players are all eager to change the direction of the campaign, get out there and play. That is important. We’ve all got to help each other and be ready. I won’t give any clues as to my line-up, including if it’s three or four at the back, otherwise (Benevento Coach Roberto) De Zerbi will thank me.”
Jakub Jankto is suspended with Gabriele Angella injured, but the situation is increasingly grim at the foot of the table.
Benevento are already down on 17 points, with Verona on 25 and SPAL completing the drop zone on 29 points.
Above that, Chievo and Crotone on 31, Cagliari and Udinese 33 are still at risk.
“Calculating the fixture list or what other teams are doing only creates more anxiety. We have to focus on the performance and not the result, that is all that matters.”
Tudor was asked how he felt ahead of his Serie A debut as a Coach.
“It’s nice to be back in Italy, but I have no time to think about myself right now.”
Udinese squad for Benevento: Bizzarri, Borsellini, Scuffet; Ali Adnan, Danilo, Nuytinck, Pezzella, Samir, Stryger Larsen, Widmer, Zampano; Balic, Barak, Behrami, De Paul, Fofana, Hallfredsson, Ingelsson, Pontisso; Lasagna, Maxi Lopez, Perica