De Maio: Troost-Ekong, Secret To Udinese’s Improving Defensive Nous

The Super Eagles vice-captain is gradually adding to his credit as one of the best defenders in the Italian top flight

Franco-Italian defender Sebastien De Maio says William Troost-Ekong's improving knowledge of the Serie A has helped Udinese tighten up their leaky defence.

Italy's top division was among the first major leagues in Europe to be shut down following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Before then though, centre-back Troost-Ekong had featured prominently as The White and Blacks kept two clean sheets in their last four matches, conceding just twice.

It was an improved defensive performance from a team that had shipped in eleven goals in the four previous games, losing all four.

De Maio acknowledges that the whole team is responsible for the defensive work during a game.

But the former Brescia star reserves special praise for the trio of Troost-Ekong, Brazil's Rodrigo Becao and Netherlands' Bram Nuytinck, insisting that they form the core of Udinese's defensive rock.

“There is only one secret: keep your opponents as far away from the area as possible,” the 33-year-old told La Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Mondo Udinese).

“However, we have a good core. Nuytinck has experience, Becao has integrated, and Troost-Ekong knows Serie A better and better.”

Troost-Ekong joined Udinese from Turkey's Bursaspor in 2018 and has been involved in 23 of Udinese's 26 games this term.

The Nigeria international should add more to his appearances when the Serie A returns in the coming weeks.