Ivan Juric says Nikola Kalinic ‘can be decisive’ for Hellas Verona, expects ‘a tough match’ in Udine and feels Kevin Lasagna's arrival ‘was a signal’ of intent.
Verona prepare for back-to-back away games after having picked up seven points from their last five Serie A games.
The 3-1 defeat to Roma came after a 3-1 win against Napoli and the inconsistent form continues for the Gialloblu, who prepare for a trip to Udinese this weekend.
Ivan Juric says Nikola Kalinic ‘can be decisive’ for Hellas Verona, expects ‘a tough match’ in Udine and feels Kevin Lasagna's arrival ‘was a signal’ of intent.
Verona prepare for back-to-back away games after having picked up seven points from their last five Serie A games.
The 3-1 defeat to Roma came after a 3-1 win against Napoli and the inconsistent form continues for the Gialloblu, who prepare for a trip to Udinese this weekend.
“I expect a tough match. Last year we would have deserved much more in the double header, but this year we started well,” he said at a press conference. “And that was despite being in full emergency.”
He referred to the 1-0 win at the Bentegodi in September and the two 0-0 legs in 2019-20.
“They arrive after many useful results and hardly concede. They are well organised at the back and organised well in general, really.
“A difficult match awaits us, then we lost [Federico] Ceccherini, while [Ronaldo] Vieira and [Stefano] Sturaro are recovering. But in the end, we’ve had a good week.”
Kevin Lasagna is set to reunite with Udinese after his move from the Friuli this January and Juric said the President ‘gave a signal’ when he signed the former Bianconero.
“With the purchase of Lasagna, the President gave a signal,” he said. “It’s difficult for me to place ourselves somewhere.
“At the moment, I think we have a squad which can fight.”
Kalinic has scored once in 11 games and when asked if he is disappointed by the Croatian, Juric said he’s still patient.
“I understand your judgments, but I have more patience,” he continued. “It’s normal. I see a phenomenal player.
“He has movements, timing. We all expected more, but he can become decisive. He’s working well.”