UDINESE vs ROMA 1-2 | HIGHLIGHTS | Roma Secure First Away Win of the Season! | Serie A 2024/25

Roma orchestrated a remarkable comeback against Udinese to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory, clinching their first away win in Serie A since April 2024. The result, sealed by penalties from captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk, exemplified Roma’s resilience and composure under pressure. The Giallorossi, coming off the disappointment of a Europa League loss to AZ Alkmaar just days earlier, showcased their determination to refocus on domestic success despite key injuries and ongoing transfer uncertainties.

The build-up to the match was fraught with challenges for both sides. Roma entered the clash revitalized in Serie A with an unbeaten streak of five matches, but their confidence took a hit after the midweek European setback. Missing key players like Bryan Cristante and the still-pending transfer of Mario Hermoso, Roma turned to new signing Devyne Rensch, who was immediately handed his debut in a makeshift lineup. On the other side, Udinese faced a mounting injury crisis, with Oumar Solet suspended following their humbling 4-1 defeat to Como, and Keinan Davis, Maduka Okoye, Lautaro Giannetti, and Kingsley Ehizibue all sidelined. Adding to their woes, Isak Touré was stretchered off within the first five minutes after a concerning knee injury, further depleting their ranks.

Rensch, making his first appearance for Roma, made an immediate impression. The young defender demonstrated his attacking prowess with a curling effort from the edge of the box, forcing Udinese goalkeeper Razvan Sava into a superb diving save. Sava’s reflexes were tested again moments later as he punched clear the ensuing corner, colliding with Roma’s Manu Koné in the process. Despite their early pressure, Roma struggled to capitalize on their chances, with Niccolò Pisilli steering a free header wide from an Angelino cross.

Udinese, resilient despite their setbacks, struck first and did so in style. Sandi Lovric delivered a perfectly weighted free kick into the Roma box, where Lorenzo Lucca controlled the ball with his chest and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner from 10 yards. The goal electrified the Friulani fans and temporarily shifted the momentum in their favor. Udinese nearly doubled their lead moments later when Lucca’s cross threatened to find an unmarked Florian Thauvin, only for Zeki Celik’s quick intervention to deny the chance.

Roma’s attempts to respond were hampered by poor finishing and an inability to break through Udinese’s defensive lines. Artem Dovbyk had the ball in the net after volleying a Pisilli cross, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside. Despite these frustrations, the Giallorossi entered halftime trailing by just a single goal, still within reach of a comeback.

The second half saw Roma come out with renewed determination and purpose. Their breakthrough came shortly after the restart when Pellegrini flicked the ball up inside the penalty area, inadvertently striking the arm of Christian Kabasele. The referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty, which Pellegrini confidently converted with a powerful shot straight down the middle, leaving Sava rooted to the spot. The equalizer galvanized Roma, and they began to exert greater control over the game, testing Udinese’s defensive organization and resolve.

Udinese had an opportunity to reclaim the lead through Payero, but the midfielder squandered a golden chance by firing a tame effort straight at goalkeeper Mile Svilar instead of setting up the better-placed Thauvin. Roma quickly punished Udinese’s wastefulness on the counterattack, with Pellegrini forcing another strong save from Sava with a fierce drive from the edge of the area.

The turning point came when Sava attempted to intercept a cross-field pass intended for Stephan El Shaarawy but misjudged the timing, clattering into the Roma forward. The resulting penalty was dispatched with clinical precision by Dovbyk, who sent Sava the wrong way and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to complete the turnaround. It was a moment of redemption for Dovbyk, who had earlier seen an effort disallowed for offside.

Roma continued to press for a third goal to kill off the contest, with Nicola Zalewski narrowly missing the target and Svilar scrambling to deal with a dangerous cross from Thauvin. Despite their efforts, the Giallorossi were unable to extend their lead, setting the stage for a tense final period.

In the dying moments of stoppage time, Roma had to withstand a late Udinese onslaught. A Paulo Dybala free kick caused chaos in the Udinese box, with both Eldor Shomurodov and Gianluca Mancini coming agonizingly close to bundling the ball over the line. However, Udinese’s desperate defending ensured there was no further damage, and the match concluded with Roma emerging victorious.

This win marked a crucial step forward for Roma, not only in terms of the standings but also in their ability to overcome adversity. The team demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical discipline, qualities that will serve them well in their quest for a strong finish to the Serie A campaign. Pellegrini’s leadership and composure under pressure were instrumental, while new signing Rensch provided a glimpse of his potential impact on both ends of the pitch.

For Udinese, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, particularly given their spirited performance despite a depleted squad. Manager Andrea Sottil will need to address the defensive lapses and missed opportunities that ultimately cost them the game. However, there were positives to take from their display, particularly the contributions of Lucca and Thauvin, who showed flashes of quality in attack.

The result leaves Roma with renewed confidence as they look to build on their unbeaten streak in Serie A. With key players returning from injury and new signings settling into the squad, the Giallorossi are well-positioned to mount a challenge for European qualification. Meanwhile, Udinese must regroup and focus on addressing their growing injury concerns as they aim to climb out of the lower half of the table.

In the end, Roma’s victory was a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and ability to capitalize on critical moments. It was a match that underscored the unpredictable nature of Serie A, where fortunes can change in an instant, and every point is fiercely contested. For the Giallorossi, the win at Udinese serves as both a morale booster and a reminder of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.