Udinese Boss Runjaic Accepts Milan Defeat: “When You Play Against Teams Like That”

FolioPitch.com – 27 October 2026 | Kosta Runjaic watched his Udinese side slump to a sixth consecutive Serie A defeat on Sunday night, but the German coach was adamant that the performance offered reasons for encouragement despite the result. Speaking at his post-match press conference at the Bluenergy Stadium, Udinese boss Runjaic accepts Milan defeat “When you play against teams like that”, acknowledging the quality of the opposition while insisting his players gave everything they had in a 2-0 loss.

Christian Pulisic and Omari Hutchinson scored in each half to secure a second consecutive league victory for Milan, a result that lifts Ruben Amorim’s side into the top four and level on points with Roma. For Udinese, however, the night represented another painful chapter in a season that is rapidly turning into a relegation battle. The Friulian club remain stuck on four points after eight games and are hovering perilously above the drop zone, with pressure mounting on the coach to engineer a turnaround.

A vibrant team despite the scoreline

Runjaic did not shy away from the reality of the defeat, but he was keen to highlight the spirit of his team. “I accept the defeat, which obviously doesn’t do us any good,” he said. “In my opinion, we saw a vibrant team this evening. Obviously, they’re a team that needs to work, but compared to the match against Lecce, we’re on the right track.”

The Udinese boss pointed to the timing of Milan’s opening goal as a decisive factor, conceding early in the match and handing the initiative to the visitors. “We conceded two goals, one early in the match, favouring our opponent,” he explained. “The team gave everything they had. We shouldn’t have made the mistakes we did, unfortunately, that happened, but when you play against teams like that, that’s how it is.”

It was a familiar refrain from Udinese boss Runjaic accepts Milan defeat “When you play against teams like that”, with the coach reiterating that the gulf in quality between the two sides was always likely to punish any lapse in concentration. Udinese did carve out chances of their own, but they were unable to capitalise, unlike the visitors. “It’s true that they could have scored a few more goals, but if everything had gone our way, we could have finished the first half 0-0,” Runjaic added. “It’s not a great moment, but tonight I saw a vibrant team.”

Defensive frailties under the microscope

While the attacking intent pleased the coach, the defensive display did not. Udinese have now conceded in every game this season, and Runjaic was candid about the recurring issues that have undermined his side’s campaign. “You can see how we don’t defend very well,” he admitted. “Sometimes it’s due to set pieces, other times to individual errors. Today we lacked the perception of danger. We knew Milan were good at using the ball in depth, yet we allowed it. We weren’t present, and Milan capitalised on our mistake.”

The coach stressed that small adjustments could make a significant difference. “In my opinion, we need to change some things, some small things, to get back on track. We need to avoid mistakes against opponents like Milan. Now it’s up to us to show what we’re capable of, starting against Parma. We need to turn things around and take some luck on our side.”

Parma clash looms as a defining moment

Udinese’s next fixture against Parma on Wednesday has taken on added significance, with Runjaic himself describing it as a final. “We want to win every game. That’s how it is. First of all, we have to get back to not conceding goals. The feeling is that we can concede with every shot. Even with Milan’s second goal, we could have done better, but we didn’t manage it.”

Despite the bleak run of results, Runjaic found positives in individual performances. “Zanioli returned today, and he came on well. He’ll have more space in Parma. Davis is on the right track, it was positive to see Pioltrowski on the pitch. Palma was fantastic, as was Kabasele. There were many positives, but obviously, you can’t say everything went well. Parma will be considered a final.”

Milan’s top-four charge gathers pace

For Milan, the victory in Udine was another step in the right direction under Amorim. The Rossoneri have now won back-to-back league games and are beginning to look like genuine contenders for a Champions League place. Pulisic’s first-half strike set the tone, and Hutchinson’s second-half effort sealed the points, leaving Udinese boss Runjaic accepts Milan defeat “When you play against teams like that” as the overriding sentiment of the evening.

The result leaves Udinese staring at a critical juncture in their season. Six straight defeats have eroded confidence, and the upcoming fixtures against Parma and Roma will go a long way towards determining whether Runjaic can arrest the slide or whether the club’s hierarchy will feel compelled to act.

Conclusion

Udinese’s 2-0 defeat to Milan was another blow in a campaign that is threatening to spiral out of control, but Kosta Runjaic remains convinced that his team is moving in the right direction. The coach’s willingness to accept the result while highlighting the positives suggests he still believes he can turn things around, starting with Wednesday’s crucial clash against Parma. For Milan, the win reinforces their top-four credentials and adds to the sense that Amorim’s project is beginning to bear fruit. As Udinese boss Runjaic accepts Milan defeat “When you play against teams like that”, the focus now shifts to whether his side can finally convert encouragement into points before it is too late.