Udinese president hails ´spectacular result´

Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo was thrilled with what his team and staff have achieved after qualifying for the Champions League.

A 0-0 draw at home to AC Milan on Sunday ensured they finished fourth in the Serie A, earning a spot in Europe’s premier club competition for only the second time in their history.

And Pozzo said their qualification was just reward for the hard work the players, staff and fans had put in this season.

“In 25 years of football it seemed almost impossible to achieve such a result, therefore I’m very happy as we have completed a very difficult year with this spectacular result. I’m very happy,” Pozzo said.

“Our staff are really great and are always improving. This is the result of the job done by many skilled and professional people who work at this club.”

“The people of Friuli deserve this result as they have always been supportive. The team has always meant a great deal to the people in Friuli and for us all.”

“Therefore we should keep on working in this way. There will be a new stadium. We should always be bringing 20,000 people to the stadium as the players need the support.”

Midfielder Giampiero Pinzi said shedding their selfish mentality had helped create a unified playing group.

“This is an extraordinary result and it has been an incredible season. We’re extremely happy and now we’ll be celebrating,” Pinzi said.

“I think this has been our secret. At the beginning we were a good team, but we all played like individuals.”

“The coach has allowed us to become a real group. We started talking and going out together for dinner and this has allowed us to create a solid group. The team spirit has been the real power of Udinese.”