Competition: Serie A
Head Coach: Kosta Runjaic
Structural Premise
After a 12th-place finish in 2024–25 under Runjaic, Udinese’s 2025–26 identity is shaped by a hybrid approach that prioritises situational aggression, disciplined structure, and aerial/physical progression options, rather than pure possession control. The foundational question is how Udinese can sustain and refine their structural balance despite key departures and the demands of a full Serie A campaign.
System Logic
In Possession — Direct Progression and Vertical Utilisation
Udinese’s offensive organisation features simple build-up with vertical recognitions:
- The team tends toward a 3-5-2 base, which facilitates wide support and dual forward engagement.
- Progression often occurs via forward passes or aerial avenues, utilising physical presence in advanced areas rather than prolonged territorial control.
- Runjaic’s structure integrates wide roles that stay disciplined but provide direct outlets, minimizing risk in forward transitions.
Tactical implication: Udinese is not a possession-dominant side; progression is achieved through functional verticality, exploiting transitions and aerial power rather than controlled positional build-up.
Out of Possession — Controlled Pressing and Compact Block
Defensively, Udinese blend compact shape with situational aggression:
- The mid-block is maintained to compress central corridors and force opponents wide.
- Pressing is trigger-based, activated selectively when structural balance is intact.
- Runjaic emphasises collective readiness and compact distances rather than continuous high press pressure.
Tactical implication: The defensive structure prioritises stability and shape preservation, with aggressive moments emerging when momentum and spacing allow.
Key Functional Roles
- Central Defenders: Defensive anchors who support structural cover and initiate risk-managed progressions.
- Wing-backs / Wide Midfielders: Provide width and support vertical outlets without overcommitting forward.
- Midfield Units: Maintain spacing between units and facilitate transitions without sacrificing balance.
- Dual Strikers: Aerial and physical presence up front — historically exploited through crosses and vertical balls, with profiles such as Keinan Davis and similar – receiving central progression cues.
Tactical implication: The effectiveness of these roles depends on inter-unit coordination, particularly in quick transitions and defensive realignment.
Structural Strengths
- Vertical Progression Efficiency: Using direct routes and aerial advantages often yields effective penetration even against structured defences.
- Compact Defensive Coverage: A disciplined block limits high-value opponent entries and reduces exploitable spaces.
- Structural Certainty Under Pressure: Runjaic’s emphasis on principles over fixed modules allows adaptability without chaos.
Structural Limitations
- Limited Possession Control: Udinese generally concede territorial initiative, inviting opponents to control build-up, which places a premium on transitional discipline.
- Predictable Progression Patterns: Reliance on vertical routes and aerial channels can be neutralised by disciplined defensive blocks.
- Transitional Demands: Effective defence-to-attack sequences require high structural synchronisation; misalignment can expose central corridors.
System Dependencies and Vulnerabilities
The model’s coherence depends on:
- Collective discipline in spacing, especially during opponents’ sustained possession.
- Wing-back timing and cover balance, to avoid gaps in transition.
- Aerial and physical exploitation, including coordinated use of forward profiles to threaten defensive lines.
Vulnerability: Breakdowns in transitional coordination or coverage can leave Udinese stretched in deeper defensive zones, particularly against teams that sustain positional pressure.
Verdict
Udinese’s 2025–26 identity under Runjaic is a pragmatic, hybrid model: structurally disciplined defensively and reliant on vertical progression and direct transition triggers rather than controlled possession dominance. Its effectiveness will hinge on collective balance, adapted offensive exploitation, and positional synchronisation as the squad integrates continuity with new challenges in Serie A.