Udinese v Roma is a match in Week 5 of Serie A.
Of Roma’s three wins so far in four league games, the biggest was against Monza in the last midweek match. It was a 3-0 win with no history, which coincided with the first “gems” from the eagerly awaited Paulo Dybala: a truly magical night for the former Juventus player, who scored his first brace in a Giallorossi shirt – which brought his tally to 100 goals in Serie A – and sent the Stadio Olimpico into a frenzy.
José Mourinho is gloating and enjoying provisional top spot, albeit co-habiting with Gasperini’s Atalanta, but he can be satisfied with the response his team are giving in the non-possession phase. Roma, with only one goal conceded, boast the best defence in the tournament to date: no one has conceded fewer goals than the Capitolini. Almost record numbers, if we consider that in the past it has never happened that the Giallorossi have collected so many clean sheets in the first rounds. As we wait to see how Pellegrini and his team-mates will respond to the upcoming double fixture – from next week Roma will be involved in the Europa League – the trip to Udine represents a great opportunity to continue the positive streak and try to stay in the lead.
Woe betide, however, to underestimate Udinese, especially in the context of the Dacia Arena, a stadium that is never easy to violate. On Wednesday, the Friulian side’s three consecutive useful results became three: after the comeback success against Monza (1-2) in Brianza, debutant Andrea Sottil’s team also chastened Fiorentina (0-1), unable to react to the goal of Portuguese centre forward Beto. The Bianconeri’s provisional haul already stands at seven points, coincidentally identical to last year’s after four matches.
Udinese v Roma: latest line-up info
Pereyra
Looking for some changes in Udinese’s starting eleven compared to the match against Fiorentina. Sottil must do without the injured Masina: Perez will complete the defensive trio with Becao and Bijol. On the right flank, new arrival Ehizibue could get a chance from the first day: Lovric, who will probably start from the bench, could suffer. In attack, Success and Beto will alternate, but the Lusitanian still has the advantage.
Few alternatives for Mourinho, who after Zaniolo and Wijnaldum also lost El Shaarawy and Kumbulla. On the flanks Zalewski and Celik will challenge Karsdorp and Spinazzola, while up front Belotti will ask for space: the former Giallorossi player will replace Abraham as the game progresses.
The Prediction
Until now, Roma have proven to be infallible – and exceedingly surgical – against teams within their reach such as Salernitana, Cremonese and Monza. Udinese have something more than those three and, moreover, know how to make themselves indigestible to the big teams, especially when they play at home. The Giallorossi might struggle to break through the organised Friulian defence, but they remain the undisputed favourites for the three points. The defensive solidity of Mourinho’s side is one of the certainties of this early part of Serie A and it is highly likely that the Capitolini’s goal will remain unbeaten
The Udinese v Roma squad
- UDINESE (3-5-2): Silvestri; Becao, Bijol, Perez; Ehizibue Pereyra, Makengo, Walace, Udogie; Deulofeu, Beto.
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Dybala, Pellegrini; Abraham.
