He could have saved that shot — Udinese boss reacts to Maduka Okoye's error

Maduka Okoye was visibly rusty in only his second game back from a two-month ban, culminating in a blunder on Medon Berisha’s curling 58th-minute free-kick that flew into the top corner.

Addressing the media before Udinese's upcoming clash with Juventus, Runjaic confirmed that Okoye knows he was at fault, while also criticizing the defense for conceding the foul.

“He knows he could have prevented the free kick. He could have managed to save that shot, Berisha kicked very hard and we should have swept the ball first without giving them that foul,” Runjaic said, as quoted by Tutto Udinese.

The German tactician stressed the need to eliminate such costly errors.

“In the past we have paid dearly for this type of mistake because we have complicated our lives unnecessarily,” he added, citing a previous defensive lapse.

“Against Juve last year Solet tried a dribble, losing the ball and we conceded a goal. We have to improve on this aspect.”

Despite the criticism and an earlier misjudged corner by Okoye, Runjaic defended the goalkeeper, noting his lack of match fitness.

“We mustn’t forget that against Juve, Maduka will be playing his third game and for us it will be his ninth.

"There’s a big difference, but he’ll gradually get into his rhythm."