Runjaic blames Okoye and Bertola error for Udinese defeat by Torino

Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic says a communication failure between goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and defender Nicolo Bertola was decisive in his side’s 2-1 defeat by Torino in Serie A on Sunday.

The pivotal incident came in the 67th minute at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, when Okoye came out to collect a ball inside the penalty area.

The Nigeria international collided with Bertola, leaving the Udinese goal exposed. Torino substitute Sandro Kulenovic reacted quickest, tapping the ball into the unguarded net to give the home side all three points.

Runjaic believes the mistake was the difference in a closely fought match and said Udinese would otherwise probably have taken a point.

“Without that error between Bertola and Okoye, the match would probably have ended in a draw,” the German manager told Tutto Udinese after the game.

However, Runjaic suggested the lapse was part of a wider problem rather than an isolated incident. He said Udinese had suffered similar lapses in concentration during their previous two matches.

“In the last two matches, we have had blackouts caused by a lack of awareness of danger, a lack of aggression and an absence of communication,” Runjaic said.

The manager urged his players to address those shortcomings quickly as Udinese attempt to halt their current run of poor results.