Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has said that defensive adjustments have played a role in his concession of 10 goals across his first four Serie A fixtures so far this season.
Udinese manager Kosta Runjaić has made frequent modifications to his central defensive partnership throughout the season, deploying seven different centre-backs within his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation across six matches in all competitions.
Okoye has recorded merely one clean sheet this season, which was in Udinese’s Coppa Italia encounter against Padova.
During his most recent Serie A match, Okoye conceded five goals as Inter Milan mounted a comeback from a two-goal deficit to secure a 5-3 victory over Udinese.
This represented the most goals the goalkeeper has conceded in a single Serie A match since his first appearance.
Okoye has demanded an immediate improvement, emphasising that the Bianconeri defensive unit must enhance its performance irrespective of the players selected for the starting XI.
Okoye stated on TV 12’s Udinese Tonight programme, “The circumstance that the defense underwent alterations in nearly every game is perhaps a contributing factor to the goals conceded, but even with varying players, one should still perform adequately.
“Ten goals represent a substantial amount, we must implement modifications and we are actively addressing this. It should be acknowledged that we have competed against formidable opponents thus far.”
Next, Okoye and his Udinese teammates will play Cagliari in their final fixture before the international break.