AS Roma will be favourites to get the better of mid-table Udinese Calcio at Stadio Friuli on Monday night.
Fresh from navigating a tense European assignment, AS Roma return their focus to Serie A on Monday night with a trip to Udine, where they will look to extend a dominant recent record against Udinese and keep their momentum alive on two fronts.
The Giallorossi arrive in the north on the back of another eventful continental evening. Their UEFA Europa League campaign continues after they secured a place in the last 16, but progression was anything but comfortable.
Reduced to ten men early on after Gianluca Mancini’s dismissal, Roma were forced into a prolonged defensive effort away at Panathinaikos, eventually salvaging a crucial draw thanks to Jan Ziolkowski’s late header. That result ensured a top-eight finish in the league phase and spared them the added burden of play-off fixtures.
Domestically, Roma’s trajectory remains encouraging. Although they were held to a draw by AC Milan in their most recent league outing, it was their first domestic stalemate since April and did little to slow a push towards Champions League qualification.
With several rivals still within reach, consistency remains key, and Roma’s defensive reliability continues to be their foundation. No side across Europe’s top five leagues has conceded fewer goals away from home, a statistic that travels well ahead of this demanding Monday night assignment.
History also favours the visitors. Roma have won nine of their last 13 league trips to Udine and have lost just twice in that period. The reverse fixture in November followed a familiar pattern, with Roma claiming a 2-0 win at the Olimpico to extend Udinese’s losing streak in this match-up to six consecutive league games, each featuring at least two goals conceded by the Friulani.
Udinese, however, head into this contest with renewed confidence after a timely victory at the weekend. Kosta Runjaic’s side overcame Hellas Verona 3-1 away from home, a result that lifted them back into the top half of the table. After a cautious opening to the year, that performance offered a reminder of their attacking capability, particularly after the break.
Alessandro Zanoli’s composed finish turned the game in their favour before Keinan Davis added a decisive third nine minutes later. That win underlined Udinese’s broader season narrative. Much like last year, they have found a level of stability under Runjaic, sitting comfortably clear of relegation danger but lacking the consistency to mount a serious European challenge.
The challenge now is to build on that Verona result and secure consecutive league wins for the first time since September. Doing so against AS Roma, though, represents a significant hurdle. Udinese’s struggles against the capital club have been persistent, and breaking that cycle will require near-perfection at both ends of the pitch. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Udinese Calcio
Udinese will be without a familiar face in attack on Monday night, as former AS Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo remains sidelined with a knee injury. The Italy international is targeting a return next week, but this fixture comes too soon. His absence further reshapes the hosts’ forward options, although Udinese can still lean on the form of Keinan Davis, who has now been directly involved in 10 Serie A goals this season after scoring again in the recent win over Hellas Verona.
There are additional fitness concerns in wide and attacking areas. Alessandro Zanoli, who found the net at Stadio Bentegodi, subsequently suffered an ACL injury and has joined Adam Buksa and Jakub Piotrowski on the treatment table.
On the left flank, Hassane Kamara remains a doubt as he continues to manage a fitness issue, leaving head coach Kosta Runjaic to decide whether he is ready to compete with Jordan Zemura for a starting role. In midfield, Sandi Lovric is no longer available after departing on loan to Verona. There are no suspension issues for Udinese ahead of this match.
From a tactical perspective, Udinese are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, a system that has given them balance and physical presence through the centre of the pitch. Maduka Okoye is likely to start in goal, protected by a back three consisting of Nicolo Bertola on the right, Thomas Kristensen in the central role, and Oumar Solet on the left.
The wing-back positions should be occupied by Kingsley Ehizibue on the right and Jordan Zemura on the left, with both tasked with providing width while also tracking Roma’s wide threats. In midfield, Lennon Miller is expected to sit deepest, supported by Jesper Karlstrom and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, forming a compact and hard-working trio. Up front, Arthur Atta is set to partner Keinan Davis, with Atta operating just off the striker to link play and exploit spaces created by Davis’s physical presence.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Okoye; Bertola, Kristensen, Solet; Ehizibue, Miller, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Atta, Davis
AS Roma
Roma head into Monday’s trip to Udine with mounting injury concerns, particularly in midfield and attack. Manu Kone has been ruled out for around three weeks after picking up an injury, depriving Gian Piero Gasperini of one of his most dynamic ball-winners. The situation is compounded by a knee problem for Paulo Dybala, who is also set to miss out.
The Argentine attacker’s absence is especially significant given his extraordinary record against Udinese, having been directly involved in a league-high 21 goals from 22 Serie A appearances against the Friulani. Dybala is joined on the sidelines by Artem Dovbyk, while Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy are both major doubts and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
On a more positive note, Roma regain some depth thanks to the availability of Robino Vaz and Donyell Malen, who were ineligible to feature in Europe and are now back in contention domestically. There is also encouraging news at the back, with Spanish centre-back Mario Hermoso returning to full training and pushing for involvement. There are no suspension issues for Roma ahead of this fixture.
Tactically, Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, prioritising structure and control in the absence of several attacking stars. Mile Svilar is likely to start in goal, protected by a back three of Gianluca Mancini on the right, Evan Ndicka as the central defender, and Daniele Ghilardi on the left.
In midfield, Zeki Celik and Wesley are set to operate as wing-backs, offering width and defensive cover on the flanks. The central midfield pairing should feature Bryan Cristante, providing positional discipline, alongside Neil El Aynaoui, who adds energy and vertical movement.
Ahead of them, Matias Soule and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini are expected to occupy the two advanced midfield roles, tasked with linking play and supplying the lone forward. Up front, Donyell Malen is likely to lead the line, offering pace and direct running as Roma look to compensate for the absence of their usual attacking focal points.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Wesley; Soule, Pellegrini; Malen
Key Stats
- AS Roma have conceded just 13 goals across 22 Serie A matches this season.
- AS Roma have won six consecutive Serie A meetings with Udinese, scoring at least two goals in each of those victories.
- Udinese have won only one of their last nine league games against Roma.
- Keinan Davis has been directly involved in 10 Serie A goals this season.
- AS Roma have lost just two of their last 13 Serie A visits to Udine, collecting nine wins during that period.
Player to Watch
Donyell Malen
Dutch winger Donyell Malen could play a pivotal role for Roma on Monday night as Gian Piero Gasperini reshapes his attack amid mounting injury concerns. With Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk sidelined, Malen is likely to shoulder greater responsibility in the final third, operating as the focal point of Roma’s front line.
What Malen offers is directness and vertical threat. His pace allows Roma to stretch defences that sit deep, while his willingness to run beyond the backline can create space for Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matias Soule to exploit between the lines. Against an Udinese defence that relies heavily on physicality and structure, Malen’s sharp movement and ability to attack channels could be decisive.
Having been unavailable in Europe, this fixture also represents an opportunity for Malen to quickly establish his importance domestically. If AS Roma are to maintain their push for a top-four finish despite missing key attackers, Malen’s efficiency and confidence in front of goal may prove crucial.
Prediction
Udinese 0-1 AS Roma
Udinese’s physical approach and recent home resilience should make this a competitive contest, particularly with AS Roma arriving depleted in attack. However, even without several key forwards, the away side’s structure, defensive discipline, and control in big moments remain their strongest assets, especially away from home.
If the visitors manage the tempo and limit transitions, they should be able to edge a low-scoring game through patience and efficiency rather than outright dominance. Udinese will need a near-perfect performance to overturn recent history in this fixture. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-0 win for Gian Piero Gasperini and his charges.