Udinese are weighing up whether Nicolò Zaniolo should return straight to the starting line-up against Cagliari, with Kosta Runjaic keen to balance the player’s desire to play against the risk of asking too much after almost a month out.
The 1999-born attacking midfielder has recovered from the right hamstring injury sustained following the opening Serie A match against Como. He has returned to full training and is available for the Cagliari fixture, but his place from the first whistle has not yet been settled.
Runjaic considers Zaniolo’s return
Runjaic said a final decision would be made with the player and the squad before the match. Zaniolo has completed two full training sessions and has told the coach that he feels well, yet Udinese are conscious that he has been inactive for a significant period.
“Zaniolo will be involved,” Runjaic said. “We have not made a final decision on whether he will start or come off the bench. We still need to think about it and tomorrow we will decide together.
“He says he feels very good and he has had a couple of full sessions. But when a player has been out for a while, there is also an element of risk to consider. It would be nice to see him against Cagliari, and then the international break will give him time to reach his best condition.”
The Cagliari match therefore offers Udinese an important choice in the early rhythm of their campaign: bring Zaniolo back immediately, or use him gradually before the break gives him further recovery time.
An absence felt after Como
Zaniolo’s injury came after the first league game of the season against Como. The hamstring problem ruled him out of matches against Monza, Lazio and Inter, interrupting his start to the new campaign.
Runjaic made clear that the player remains central to Udinese’s plans. “We are stronger with him,” the coach said. “He has quality, he knows Serie A extremely well and he is far from the end of his career. He has simply been unfortunate with this injury.”
The former Roma player’s value to the Friulani was underlined last season, when he made 32 Serie A appearances, scoring five goals and providing six assists. Whether those contributions resume from the opening minute against Cagliari or later in the contest will be decided only on matchday.
