Udinese have turned to the free-agent market after a worrying opening to the Serie A campaign, bringing David Alaba into Kosta Runjaic’s squad as the club look to settle a defence that has allowed 11 goals in its first five matches.
Experience arrives for a difficult early-season task
The Austrian international joins after leaving Real Madrid without a contract, offering Udinese a player accustomed to the highest level of European football. Alaba, born in 1992 and captain of Austria, also carries the experience of his years at Bayern Munich and Madrid into a side seeking greater control at the back.
His arrival is intended to give Runjaic a central figure in the defensive unit rather than simply another option for rotation. Udinese’s early results have exposed a problem that could not be ignored, and the club have responded with a player whose technical quality and positional flexibility have long been among his strongest traits.
Options across the defensive line
Alaba can offer solutions in several areas of the pitch, depending on the needs of the coach and the balance of the team.
- He can play as a central defender in a conventional back line.
- He has experience as a left-sided centre-back in a three-man defence.
- He is able to operate at left-back.
- Earlier in his career, he also featured as a deep-lying midfielder.
- His delivery from set pieces, including free-kicks, and his ability to take penalties when required could add another attacking resource.
That adaptability could be particularly valuable across a long Serie A season, when injuries, suspensions and changing opponents often force a coach to alter the shape of his side.
The fitness question behind the opportunity
The key uncertainty concerns Alaba’s physical condition. Since suffering a partial cruciate ligament injury towards the end of 2023, he has dealt with repeated fitness issues that have affected his continuity and performances in recent seasons.
For Udinese, that risk is part of the calculation. The club are acquiring a player of major international standing without a transfer fee, but his contribution will depend on how reliably he can be available over the coming months.
In fantasy football terms, he has been priced at 15 credits, making him a relatively inexpensive selection for managers willing to gamble on his recovery and his potential influence in Udine.
