Udinese vs. Roma | Serie A | Pre Match

After suffering yet another blow in European competition, Roma turn their focus back to Serie A, where they are desperate to find a solution to their ongoing struggles away from home. On Sunday, the Giallorossi will travel to Udine to take on Udinese, hoping to end a dismal run of form on the road that has persisted for months. For a club with lofty ambitions, the inability to secure victories away from the Stadio Olimpico has been a glaring weakness. It’s a challenge Roma must overcome if they are to salvage their season and keep their faint European dreams alive.

The Giallorossi have endured a turbulent campaign, marked by moments of promise and significant setbacks. A recent six-game unbeaten streak in Serie A and the Coppa Italia gave fans a reason to believe in a potential turnaround, but a disheartening Europa League defeat to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday served as a harsh reminder of their inconsistencies. That narrow 1-0 loss not only jeopardized Roma’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stages but also underscored their inability to perform under pressure. With city rivals Lazio sitting comfortably atop the Europa League group standings, the defeat was doubly painful for Roma supporters.

Interim head coach Claudio Ranieri did not hold back in his criticism of the team’s performance in Alkmaar, emphasizing the lack of composure and decisiveness in key moments. Now, with a crucial league-phase finale against Eintracht Frankfurt looming next week, Ranieri’s men must regroup quickly. Their immediate task is to secure back-to-back Serie A wins for only the second time this season. A 3-1 victory over Genoa last weekend offered a glimpse of what this Roma side is capable of, but consistency remains an elusive quality. The pressing issue is their dreadful away form, which has seen them fail to win in 13 consecutive Serie A matches on the road—a statistic that highlights the scale of their struggles.

Remarkably, Roma’s last away victory in Serie A dates back to April, when they edged Udinese 2-1. It’s a result they’ll need to replicate on Sunday if they are to restore faith in their ability to compete away from home. Historically, Roma have fared well in Udine, remaining unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 visits and claiming eight wins during that period. Their dominance over Udinese extends to recent league meetings, with the capital club winning each of the last four encounters. However, their current vulnerabilities leave little room for overconfidence.

Udinese, for their part, have had a season characterized by modest progress and occasional setbacks. Safely nestled in the top half of the table, the Friulani have avoided the relegation battles that plagued them last season. However, a humbling 4-1 loss to Como on Monday served as a stark reminder that complacency could easily derail their efforts. That defeat, which saw both sides reduced to 10 men, ended a four-match unbeaten run that included a commendable goalless draw with high-flying Atalanta. Sitting in 10th place, Udinese have struggled to maintain momentum, collecting just three points from their last four outings. Head coach Kosta Runjaic will be keen to halt this downward trend before it spirals into a more significant slump.

The Friulani will face Roma without several key players, adding to the challenge of bouncing back from their defeat in Como. Injuries have sidelined Kingsley Ehizibue, Keinan Davis, Oier Zarraga, and first-choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. Meanwhile, new signing Oumar Solet is suspended following his red card on Monday, forcing Runjaic to reshuffle his defensive setup. Isaak Toure or Christian Kabasele is expected to step in alongside Jaka Bijol, the Slovenian center-back who endured a rare off-day against Como, including an unfortunate own goal.

Despite these setbacks, Udinese have shown resilience this season, often finding ways to grind out results against tougher opponents. Their ability to frustrate teams with a disciplined defensive approach and exploit counterattacking opportunities makes them a challenging opponent for a Roma side struggling with consistency. Runjaic will likely emphasize the importance of a solid defensive foundation while looking to capitalize on Roma’s defensive lapses, which have been a recurring issue.

For Claudio Ranieri, the challenge lies in managing his squad amid a congested schedule. With the Europa League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on the horizon, the veteran coach must strike a delicate balance between fielding a competitive lineup and preserving key players for future battles. Ranieri is expected to make several changes to the starting XI that faced AZ Alkmaar, but the front duo of Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala is likely to remain intact. Dybala, in particular, has an extraordinary record against Udinese, with 21 goal involvements in as many Serie A appearances—the most by any player against a single club. His creative brilliance and clinical finishing could prove decisive on Sunday.

Another player who could play a significant role is Stephan El Shaarawy, who has a history of success against Udinese. With six career goals against the Friulani in Serie A, El Shaarawy’s attacking instincts make him a valuable option for Ranieri. However, the Italian forward has struggled to make an impact away from home, with his last away league goal coming back in May 2023. If he can rediscover his form, El Shaarawy could be a game-changer for Roma.

The stakes are high for both teams heading into this weekend’s clash. For Roma, it’s an opportunity to break their away jinx and keep their hopes of European qualification alive. Anything less than three points would be a significant blow to their ambitions, given their precarious position in the standings. On the other hand, Udinese have the chance to leapfrog their southern rivals and cement their place in the top half of the table. A win would not only provide a much-needed confidence boost but also underline their progress under Runjaic.

As the match approaches, the tactical battle promises to be fascinating. Roma are likely to dominate possession, using their technical quality to control the tempo and create openings. However, their vulnerability to counterattacks and set pieces will be a concern, especially against a well-organized Udinese side. The Friulani, in turn, will focus on staying compact defensively and exploiting Roma’s weaknesses on the break. Players like Isaac Success and Beto could play pivotal roles in testing Roma’s backline with their pace and physicality.

Ultimately, Sunday’s encounter at the Dacia Arena is more than just a regular Serie A fixture—it’s a litmus test for two teams at different stages of their development. Roma, with their rich history and high expectations, are under immense pressure to deliver results and prove their mettle away from home. Udinese, meanwhile, are quietly building a solid foundation and aiming to establish themselves as a consistent mid-table force. With both sides eager to make a statement, fans can expect an intense and closely contested affair. Whether it’s Roma’s quest for redemption or Udinese’s pursuit of stability, the outcome of this match could have far-reaching implications for the rest of the season.