Udinese Vs Roma

After suffering another disappointing European defeat, Roma turn their attention back to Serie A on Sunday, where they will look to end their prolonged wait for an elusive away victory against Udinese. This match takes on added significance for the Giallorossi, as they have struggled significantly on the road this season, and their poor results have left them sitting just a single point ahead of their hosts in the Serie A standings.

Roma, who had recently found some momentum in Serie A, having gone six matches unbeaten and advanced to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, may have expected to carry that form into their European campaign. Their hopes of progressing in the Europa League, however, took a significant blow with a disappointing 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday. The defeat saw Roma drop behind the Dutch side in the group standings, and with only one match left in the group stage, their qualification for the knockout rounds now hinges entirely on the result of that final fixture. This setback added further frustration to an already difficult situation, as Roma’s city rivals, Lazio, continue to lead the standings, adding salt to the wound.

Interim head coach Claudio Ranieri, who has been at the helm since the departure of José Mourinho earlier in the season, did not hold back in his criticism of the team following the loss to Alkmaar. The defeat left Roma clinging to the final playoff spot by just a single point, with their European aspirations now hanging by a thread. The team's overall form in Europe has been inconsistent, and this latest result left many wondering if they have the mental fortitude to bounce back. Looking ahead to their crucial final match of the league-phase of the Europa League, which will see Roma host 2022 Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt next week, Ranieri's squad is desperate for a morale-boosting result.

However, before turning their attention to European matters, Roma must first address their domestic form. The team's recent 3-1 victory over Genoa in Serie A was a welcome one, lifting Roma to ninth place in the standings, but the Giallorossi are aware that their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season via a top-seven league finish depend largely on improving their dismal away record. Roma have not won an away match in Serie A in 13 games, marking the first time this century that the club has gone this long without an away victory. Their last success on the road came in April of the previous year, when they defeated Udinese 2-1. 

Roma do have some history on their side heading into this weekend's fixture, as they have been largely successful in recent visits to Udine. The Giallorossi have gone unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 trips to Udinese’s home ground, winning eight of those encounters. While history favors Roma in this fixture, their current form on the road has left many questioning their ability to continue that strong record against a team that, despite recent struggles, has often posed a difficult challenge.

Udinese, meanwhile, will be keen to capitalize on Roma’s vulnerabilities and may see this match as an opportunity to leapfrog their opponents in the table. The Friulani have had a solid season so far, comfortably sitting inside the top half of the standings. However, their recent form has been mixed, and they are coming off a heavy 4-1 defeat to Como on Monday, a match in which both teams saw a player sent off. This loss was particularly hard to take, as Udinese had been on a four-match unbeaten run heading into the fixture, including a hard-fought goalless draw against high-flying Atalanta. The defeat to Como was Udinese’s first loss of 2025, and it halted any momentum they had built up.

Kosta Runjaic’s team, which occupies 10th place, has managed just three points from their last four league outings. This downturn in form has led to questions about whether Udinese’s mini revival, which saw them briefly climb into the top half of the standings, has now stalled. However, despite the recent setbacks, Udinese are in a much stronger position than they were last season, when they found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle that they narrowly survived. Runjaic will be eager to ensure that his team’s recent struggles do not turn into a prolonged slump, especially with Roma coming to town.

Despite their recent struggles, Udinese’s record against Roma in recent years has been poor. The hosts have lost seven of their last nine league meetings with the Giallorossi, including each of the last four, a run that has seen Roma establish dominance over their northern rivals. However, this does not mean that Udinese will be taking Roma lightly. The Friulani have proven themselves capable of producing surprising results, and a match against a Roma side that is desperate for a win could present an opportunity for them to make a statement.

While Udinese's recent results have been less than stellar, their position in the standings remains relatively secure. They are comfortably nestled in the top half of the table, and a few more positive results could see them climb even higher. Nonetheless, their recent defeat to Como highlighted the fragility of their form, and Runjaic will be hoping to avoid further drops in performance that could see them slide down the standings.

For Roma, the pressure is mounting. Their inconsistent form has been a topic of concern all season, and their struggles away from home have been particularly damaging to their overall prospects. With a crucial European clash against Eintracht Frankfurt just around the corner, Roma will be looking to build some momentum in Serie A before turning their focus back to European matters. The key to achieving that goal will likely lie in their ability to end their dismal run of away form, starting with this Sunday’s match against Udinese.

For Udinese, the challenge is to maintain their position in the top half of the table and avoid being dragged into a relegation fight as the season progresses. They have the potential to cause problems for Roma, especially given the visitors’ struggles away from home, but they must bounce back from their recent defeat to Como and avoid a further slide in form.

Ultimately, this match promises to be a fascinating encounter between two teams with differing objectives but similar vulnerabilities. Roma will be hoping to build on their recent domestic success and snap their long winless away run, while Udinese will be looking to capitalize on Roma’s poor road form and perhaps move ahead of their opponents in the standings. As both teams gear up for the clash, the outcome could have significant implications for their respective campaigns.