Head coach of Italian Serie A side Udinese Kosta Runjaić had voiced out his unhappiness over the manner of their 0-3 defeat to Lecce in the league two days ago.
Goals from Kiolona Gaspar, Konan N’Dri and Jamil Siebert handed Lecce a 3-0 victory at the Stadio Friuli, which leaves Udinese on just four points after seven matches of the 2026-27 season and at risk of dropping into the relegation zone by the end of the weekend.
The coach has come under intense pressure with defeats against against Torino, Cagliari, Inter and Lazio in the weeks leading up to the Lecce loss.
Also first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye hasn’t been spared as well with critics pointing to his run of conceding 16 goals in seven games this season. He is still without a clean sheet.
Runjaić was forced to coming to the defence of the Nigeria international who has conceded three goals or more in three out of seven games played this season.
“It was the worst performance since I’ve been here. The entire team, except for Davis and Alaba in the first half, didn’t show their game. Maybe we can even take Okoye off the scoresheet”, he explained.
“We win and lose together, I know what the situation is, I wasn’t expecting this and we need to ask ourselves why. I obviously feel capable of lifting this team up again. Udinese has experienced similar moments in recent decades. I’m very sorry for our fans, but that’s football: opponents celebrate. The last home win is in May, we all need to stay united, but also speak directly and clearly”.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
