A game with two faces, with Udinese coming from behind against Parma at the Tardini and taking the top spot in the standings. The first half was all yellow and blue, with Enrico Delprato breaking the deadlock after 2 minutes, before, a handful of seconds from the break, Bonny found the net to double the score, which could have made the game seem almost over, also due to the psychological backlash that Runjaic’s team could have suffered. None of this, because at the start of the second half, Lorenzo Lucca’s goal arrived first, at the start, and then Thauvin’s brace, interspersed with Keita’s disastrous Serie A debut for Parma (two yellow cards in 20 minutes), with the three goals giving Udinese as many points.
Pecchia’s words.
“In the second half we did everything at a lower level. When you don’t do everything at your best, this happens. We were dirtier in dribbling, less aggressive in pressing and counter-pressing. They had a great second half and turned it around. Problem with expulsions? There’s not much to say, this is what happened. It’s a shame for Keita, he was really eager to give his contribution. I have to analyse the game as a whole, this will serve as a lesson for all of us, this is Serie A. We went ahead 2-0, we did many good things, even suffering a bit because Udinese are doing very well, they are in great shape and have great physicality”.
Runjaic’s words.
“We definitely had more courage in possession in the second half. We didn’t do well in the first half, but not so badly either. We conceded goals on two mistakes and wasted important goal-scoring opportunities. At half-time we told ourselves that it wasn’t impossible and we showed courage, it went well. We’re happy with this moment and with first place but it’s only the beginning. It’s important at this stage to get as many points as possible. It was a deserved victory because we made a great comeback in the second half and the first half wasn’t despicable either. We shouldn’t look at the standings, we need to stay cool and clear-headed and work on the details.”