Double First-Half Injury Disrupts Game Plan as Lazio Turn Match Around
In post-match comments delivered following the 2-1 Serie A defeat at Stadio Friuli on September 7, 2026, Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic addressed the immediate structural setbacks that compromised his game plan against Lazio.
The host side briefly held an advantage via a Jesper Karlstrom goal early in the second half, but unanswered strikes from Davide Frattesi and Albert Gudmundsson secured the points for Gennaro Gattuso’s team.
Davide Frattesi
playerRunjaic points to early Piotrowski and Solet injury blows in Lazio loss
Speaking after the loss, the Udinese head coach highlighted the tactical constraints imposed by losing two outfield players prior to the halftime whistle.
“We lost Piotrowski and Solet and we paid a heavy price for those two changes, as we lost two substitution slots, so I had doubts”
The early departures of midfielder Jakub Piotrowski and defender Oumar Solet forced Udinese to consume two substitution windows before the second half even began. That sudden loss of bench flexibility prevented the coaching staff from implementing planned tactical tweaks or managing physical fatigue as Lazio took control of the match.
Kosta Runjaic
coachRunjaic explains Keinan Davis decision and depth gap against Lazio
Addressing the secondary impact on his forward line during the closing stages, Runjaic elaborated on his choice to substitute striker Keinan Davis.
“Both teams were tired, but we have to respect their qualities and we weren’t able to have the possession we wanted. I didn’t want to risk Davis and the changes in the first half affected us.”
Managing the workload of key players became critical after the initial injuries left Udinese with limited options to alter the setup. With summer arrival James Abankwah still adjusting to the physical pace of Serie A football, the hosts struggled to retain possession or replicate their primary central attack late in the contest.
This post-match reaction was broadcast on DAZN.