Udinese vs. Torino: Runjaic Faces Personnel Crisis Ahead of Matchday 35 Clash

As the 2025-26 Serie A Enilive season enters its final stretch, Udinese finds itself grappling with a mounting injury list that threatens to derail its momentum. Ahead of the high-stakes Udinese vs. Torino encounter on Saturday, May 2, manager Kosta Runjaic has confirmed several key absences that will force a significant reshuffle of the Friulian side’s tactical approach.

The match, set for the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, arrives at a critical juncture for both clubs. Both Udinese and Torino are coming off gritty draws against league heavyweights—Udinese holding Lazio and Torino resisting Inter Milan—meaning both sides enter this fixture with a point to prove and a desire to secure three points to climb the table.

The Casualty List: Runjaic’s Selection Headache

For Udinese, the buildup to the weekend has been defined more by the treatment room than the training pitch. Kosta Runjaic has been candid about the gaps in his squad, confirming that the team will be without several influential figures.

The most definitive losses are Ekkelenkamp and Karlstrom, both of whom are officially ruled out of the fixture. Their absence strips Udinese of vital creativity and stability in the transition from defense to attack. Adding to the frustration is the status of Piotrowski, who Runjaic described as “probably” unavailable, leaving the coaching staff in a state of limbo regarding their attacking options.

The remaining question mark centers on Davis. While not officially ruled out, his availability remains a primary concern for the medical staff. For a global audience following the Italian league, these absences are more than just names on a list; they represent a loss of tactical versatility that Runjaic has relied upon throughout the season.

To maintain things simple for those tracking the roster: Udinese is essentially fighting an uphill battle to maintain their structural integrity in the midfield and forward lines, forcing the manager to look toward the bench for untested combinations.

Torino’s Offensive Void: Life Without Zapata

While Udinese struggles with depth, Torino faces a crisis of quality in the final third. Roberto D’Aversa is tasked with reinventing his attack after losing two of his most potent threats. Duván Zapata and Ismajli are both confirmed out, a blow that removes the physical presence and clinical finishing Torino typically relies on to break down stubborn defenses.

The situation is further complicated by the absence of Adams, leaving Torino with a severely depleted attacking core. D’Aversa has emphasized that the team must replicate the “same attitude” they displayed in their recent draw against Inter Milan—a performance characterized by defensive resilience and opportunistic counter-attacks.

Without Zapata’s ability to hold up the ball and create space for late-running midfielders, Torino will likely shift toward a more fluid, mobile attacking system. The challenge for D’Aversa is whether his remaining options can provide the same goal-scoring threat against a Udinese side that, despite its injuries, remains difficult to break down at home.

Tactical Breakdown: A Battle of Adjustments

This match is less a clash of styles and more a battle of adaptations. Because both managers are missing key personnel, the game will likely be decided by who manages their substitutions more effectively.

Udinese’s Key Priorities:

• Midfield Stability: With Karlstrom out, Runjaic must find a way to shield the back four without sacrificing the ability to progress the ball.
• Exploiting Torino’s Transition: Knowing Torino is missing Zapata, Udinese may perceive more confident playing a higher defensive line, pressing the Granata in their own half.
• Wing Play: If Davis is unable to start, the burden of width and delivery will fall on the remaining wingers to feed the strikers.

Torino’s Key Priorities:

• Defensive Rigidity: D’Aversa will likely prioritize a “safety first” approach, ensuring they aren’t caught out by Udinese’s pace on the break.
• Collective Scoring: In the absence of a primary target man, Torino will need goals from midfield or a high-pressing front three to create chaos in the box.
• Set-Piece Efficiency: With open-play options limited, dead-ball situations will become a primary route to goal.

Match Logistics and How to Watch

The fixture takes place in the heart of the Friuli region at the Bluenergy Stadium. For fans traveling to Udine or those tuning in globally, the timing is critical as the league moves toward its conclusion.

For those without tickets, the match will be available via DAZN, which holds the broadcasting rights for all ten matches of each Serie A matchday for the 2025-26 season. In Italy, the game can also be accessed through the DAZN channel on Sky via satellite decoder.

The Stakes: Beyond the Three Points

While a draw might seem acceptable for two teams coming off stalemates with giants, the mathematics of Matchday 35 suggest otherwise. With only a handful of games remaining, the gap between mid-table safety and a push for European contention is narrowing.

For Kosta Runjaic, this is a test of leadership. Managing a squad through a concentrated period of injuries is often what separates successful campaigns from mediocre ones. For Roberto D’Aversa, the match serves as a litmus test for Torino’s depth. If the team can secure a win without Zapata and Adams, it proves that the “Granata” identity is bigger than any single player.

The atmosphere at the Bluenergy Stadium is expected to be electric, as the local supporters look to push their depleted side toward a victory that would solidify their standing in the league.

Key Takeaways for Fans

• Udinese’s Core Losses: Ekkelenkamp and Karlstrom are definitely out; Piotrowski is doubtful.
• Torino’s Attacking Crisis: Zapata, Adams, and Ismajli are all unavailable, forcing a tactical rethink.
• Form Momentum: Both teams enter the game following impressive draws against Lazio and Inter, respectively.
• Viewing Info: Kick-off is Saturday at 15:00 local time, exclusively on DAZN.

The next official checkpoint for both clubs will be the release of the final team sheets approximately one hour before kick-off on Saturday, which will finally clarify the status of Davis for Udinese and the starting attacking configuration for Torino.

Who do you feel will edge this battle of the depleted squads? Let us know in the comments or share this preview with your fellow Serie A followers.