Why Udinese’s Direct Tactics & Aerial Power Give Them A Winning Edge Under Kosta Runjaić Tactics – Tactical Analysis

After seven Serie A games, four teams are tied for the most headed goals, with AC Milan, Inter MIlan, Atalanta and Udinese all bagging four.

However, the outlier in that list of clubs is the latter, Udinese—their four goals equate to 40% of their total goal tally at the time of writing, indicating that aerial presence in attack is key to Kosta Runjaić’s tactics.

Data suggests that Udinese are not a possession-based team and tend to rely on long passes to progress up the pitch.

This team analysis and scout report will provide insight into Udinese’s attacking tactics this season.

It will look at three key areas: their crossing tendency, how they utilise an aerial presence in attacking phases, and their direct passing approach, including using a physical presence from the attacker in build-up phases.

Udinese Aerial Threat Inside The Box

So far this season, under Kosta Runjaić tactics, Udinese have deployed 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 most of the time.

This allows them to attack in wide areas and eventually create chances in the final third, where a strong aerial presence can be effective.

Udinese have a few options in attack, but their main two options in terms of physicality and aerial presence are former Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis, who stands at 6’2”, and Lorenzo Lucca, who stands at a gigantic 6’7”—he shows exceptional mobility for a player of his size as well!

The two forwards offer Udinese a range of attacking avenues to explore, the obvious one being the chance to intercept dangerous crosses.

Udinese’s shot map this season in Serie A provides an insight into where their efforts on goal occur.

With 10 goals to date this season, they aren’t exactly a high-scoring team, but their rate of 1.3 goals per 90 minutes is above the league average.