Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic has criticised a costly defensive mix-up involving Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and defender Nicolo Bertola after his side lost 2-1 to Torino in Serie A on Monday.
The defeat at the Olimpico Grande Torino extended Udinese’s losing run to four consecutive matches, with Runjaic saying the error that led to Torino’s winning goal cost his team the chance to secure a draw.
Udinese had levelled the contest before half-time through Jurgen Ekkelenkamp after Daniel Bragança put Torino ahead in the first half.
Torino regained the lead after the break when substitute Sandro Kulenović scored into an unguarded net. Okoye had moved off his line to deal with a long pass but collided with Bertola, leaving Kulenović with the opportunity to score.
Speaking after the match, Runjaic said the mistake was the decisive moment in a game he believed Udinese could have drawn.
“Primarily, we must address the error committed by Bertola and Okoye,” the German coach said, according to Diretta.
“Had that mistake not occurred, the match would have ended in a draw. We have suffered four consecutive defeats as a result of errors.”
Runjaic said he was dissatisfied with the result despite his team’s performance.
“This outcome is unsatisfactory to me, and as a team, we remain dissatisfied, despite our respectable performance this evening,” he added.
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