Gerard Deulofeu explains what has changed at Udinese under new coach Gabriele Cioffi and the work he put into that remarkable free kick to crush Cagliari 4-0.
It was a remarkable performance from the Spaniard, who first bent a free kick over the wall and down, then curled a right-foot stunner into the far top corner.
Serie A | Cagliari 0-4 Udinese: Deulofeu destroys Sardinians
Jean-Victor Makengo had already opened the scoring within four minutes, while Nahuel Molina’s stunner on the half-volley added to the quality performance in Sardinia, crushing Cagliari 4-0.
“It’s very important, we already talked in the locker room, it was too long since a victory and this was a big opportunity,” Deulofeu told Sky Sport Italia.
“I think we had the right attitude from the first minute, it was marvellous. We already saw against Milan, with this intensity and unity, along with the quality inside this squad, we can do really well.”
It was an unusual free kick, hit with the knuckles so it went up and over the wall into the corner before the goalkeeper could move. Can we start calling it a Deulofeu-style free kick?
“Yes, you can! We already practiced that free kick in training and I am always glad to score from set plays.”
Udinese are transformed under interim manager Gabriele Cioffi, who replaced his boss Luca Gotti ahead of last week’s 1-1 draw with Milan. What has Cioffi brought to the side that Gotti didn’t?
“I see motivation. He likes to motivate the dressing room and maybe that’s what we needed,” explained Deulofeu. We must continue like this, we’ve achieved nothing yet, and Tuesday will be even more important.”
GERARD DEULOFEU KNUCKLEBALL FREE-KICK!! 😤
Stepped up, and absolutely leathered it 😲
The technique on that! 👏 pic.twitter.com/aiWpJp3ysA
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 18, 2021