Andrea Stramaccioni said Udinese’s 1-0 win at Lazio” data-scaytid=”3″>Lazio, which put them third in the table, is “an important sign.”
Andrea Stramaccioni said Udinese’s 1-0 win at Lazio, which put them third in the table, is “an important sign.”
The Friulani hadn’t conquered the Stadio Olimpico since 2009, managing one point from the next five visits.
“Above all with our fixture list it’s an important sign for our mentality. The only real 45 minutes we got wrong, which was the first half against Juventus” data-scaytid=”7″>Juventus, really shook us up,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
Udinese have beaten Cesena, Napoli and Lazio so far this season, losing only to reigning champions Juve.
“The level of the overall performance has improved. Obviously Lazio piled on more pressure after the break, but we didn’t run any particular risks.
“I really believe in the group, so those who played tonight did a great job, including Muriel, Thereau and Piris, who did a wonderful job on Lazio’s form player Candreva.
“It’s no secret that at Inter when we were looking for a replacement for Milito, I wanted Thereau. He suffered a little more when Muriel came off, as the Lazio defence was more concentrated on him, then went off with cramp. Muriel was doing very well, but he’ll need tests on that knock to the hip.
“Most of our chances came down the right with Widmer. We weren’t that consistent in being dangerous against Napoli, but having limited Lazio today is an important sign, as they played some spectacular football in previous games.
“It is also remarkable when missing key players and over the last two games we have changed system.”
Stramaccioni was asked why he decided pre-season to declare Orestis Karnezis was the first choice goalkeeper ahead of Simone Scuffet.
“We were already clear on Scuffet, as he’s a great prospect and we didn’t want to risk exposing him to situations that could limit his growth. Karnezis had practically joined Benfica, but then they opted for Julio Cesar and we went for him instead. He was our Man of the Match against Juventus and gives the defence confidence.”
Stramaccioni is a former Roma youth academy Coach and confessed beating Lazio was special.
“This is my city, it always will be and I grew up in this stadium. I do have some Lazio-supporting friends, but obviously this win had a special feeling to it.”