Graziani: Roma stronger than last season, Gasperini and D'Amico partnership key

Roma are being urged to exploit Udinese's current form, with Nando Orsi calling the visitors the weakest Udinese side in recent years after five straight defeats. Orsi said: 'Udinese come into this on five defeats, lost deservedly: this is the worst Udinese of recent years. Roma must take advantage. I'm sorry, because Udinese are a tough side, but Roma cannot waste this game.' Roberto Pruzzo noted that Inter have not won a derby in seven matches, saying Roma could move a little closer to the top of the table. He warned that the match should not become too physical, as that could make things complicated against Udinese, and said Roma should rely on technique and quality. Pruzzo also suggested playing Niccolò Pisilli, saying: 'He adapts to everything, he has to play.' Ugo Trani expects Gasperini to rotate mainly in defence, noting that the coach can only change those players. Ghilardi and Hermoso will play for certain, as will Wesley and Cristante. Trani believes Roma will line up with two attacking midfielders today. On the transfer market, he said Njie has shots and incredible pace but lacks the head for the game, adding that Roma followed him last summer before Fiorentina signed him. He described Lang as someone who 'breaks games' open. On Endrick, Trani said Roma will try to bring him in one way or another, though Arsenal's interest would make it more complicated, while he would certainly find more space in Rome. Trani also highlighted that Balde earns 5.5 million at Barcelona, and that Roma could try in January, paying less than two million in wages for six months. He added that Roma will take two strikers regardless. On the Udinese game, he said: 'The match against Udinese is very heavy, which is why I don't trust it. I wouldn't feel comfortable even at 11 against 9... Dybala is missing in these games.'

Radio pundits across Rome's airwaves have made Roma's home clash with Udinese a must-win fixture, with several arguing that a victory would allow the club to push on in a manageable run of fixtures. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said: "On paper it is a round that should help the two Roman clubs. I am convinced Milan can win this derby. Udinese are a big unknown: last year Roma played a bad game, and if Udinese manage to produce a match like that, Roma can run into difficulties. Malen is incredible: he scores a goal a game. Roma were "Svilar-dependent", this year that is not the case, they score a lot. It is a more "Gasperinian" side than last year's and it is bearing fruit. What surprises me is not so much the play as the number of injuries. It would surprise me to see De Roon start, because against Cagliari he seemed tired to me. It seems to me a game to play with two behind Malen. This is a game Roma must win: if they win today, they have an affordable schedule and can push on emphatically." Sabatini, also on Radio Radio, said Udinese are going through a negative period. "Seeing them rack up five or six defeats seems an anomaly to me for a side that is not destined for last place. Roma have every chance of winning, but beware: Udinese can wake up." Pruzzo, on the same station, said Roma's game is within reach and could help them move closer to the top, noting that Inter have not won the derby in seven matches. He added that Pisilli adapts to anything and must play, and that the team seems capable of a less physical game: "If you get into a physical battle with them it can become complicated. You have to focus on technique and quality." Orsi, also on Radio Radio, said: "Udinese come off five defeats, and they lost them deservedly: this is the worst Udinese of recent years. Roma must take advantage. I am sorry, because Udinese are a tough side, but Roma cannot waste this match."

Former Roma striker Abel Balbo believes Gian Piero Gasperini's side can mount a serious challenge for the Serie A title, while identifying Inter as the main rival. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Argentine, who also played for Udinese, gave the current squad a strong endorsement but drew a firm line when comparisons with the club's 2001 champions were raised. Balbo said Roma have a solid group of players and praised the coach's influence. "Roma are strong, really strong. They have a solid group, made up of players with balls. Gasp gets the best out of them, they would throw themselves into the fire for him." Asked whether Roma can win the Scudetto, he answered: "Yes, although they will battle with Inter, who at the moment are better equipped both in their starting XI and in their reserves. Roma will play the role of the antagonist until the end. If the Nerazzurri slip up, Roma must be there ready to take advantage." He was far more cautious on comparisons with the 2001 title-winning side. "No... go easy on the comparisons. That team was a different thing. We had champions in every department. I was the fourth striker and in front of me I had Batistuta, Totti and Montella. We could only win." Balbo credited the title to the club's then president. "The merit for that victory belongs to Franco Sensi, an enlightened president. There are no longer men like him in football..." Balbo also looked back fondly on his time in Rome, describing the move from Udine as moving from a small town of 100,000 people to a city of millions. "Everything changes. In giallorosso I lived spectacular years, especially with Mazzone on the bench. For me Carletto was like a father."

Roma travel to Udinese for Serie A matchday 10, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side needing to keep pace with Inter and Lazio, who sit top on 4 points more than Roma, while also keeping an eye on Como, who are just one point behind. Roma come into the fixture after beating Cagliari. Defender Lulli is set for a confirmation in the starting line-up after the win over Cagliari. Donyell Malen is ready to return from the start alongside Matías Soulé. Rodrigo Mora, decisive in the last round, is pushing for a starting shirt. Paulo Dybala remains out. On the Udinese side, Zaniolo is set for a return to his old club, ready to help the hosts climb a table that is very complicated for the Friulani. The article also covers where to watch the match on television (Sky and Dazn), the kickoff time and the current Serie A standings.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium this afternoon to face Udinese, managed by Kosta Runjaic, in the tenth round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive in Friuli unbeaten in the league and looking to build on their midweek win over Cagliari. Udinese are seeking a victory they have not managed since late August, and will try to use home advantage against a Roma side still missing several players. Gasperini will be without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala. With two hours to kick-off, the Roma coach appears set to make further changes from the Cagliari game. Ghilardi is expected to get a chance in defence, while Rodrigo Mora is the favourite to partner Soulé behind Malen in attack. Udinese's probable line-up is in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Karlström, Piotrowski, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Zaniolo; Davis. Roma are also set up 3-4-2-1: Gollini; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Udinese's substitutes are Mrozek, Padelli, Lovric, Zarraga, Bertola, Palma, Miller, Zanoli, Arizala, Unai Gomez and Chakvetadze. Roma's bench comprises Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Castro, Lulli, Mancini, Balerdi, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Camara. The referee is Maresca of Napoli, with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi L. The fourth official is Chiffi, while Paterna is the VAR and Aureliano the assistant VAR.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium to face Udinese in the tenth round of Serie A Enilive, with kick-off at 18:00. Gian Piero Gasperini will be without Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné, Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini, all absent for the trip. Roma arrive in Friuli with strong numbers. They are unbeaten in the league after nine rounds, with six wins and three draws, and boast the second-best defence in Serie A, having conceded just eight goals. Udinese, under Runjaic, are looking for a turnaround after a difficult period. A 0-0 draw with Parma ended a run of six consecutive defeats, but the hosts have not won in seven rounds. Their home form is the main concern: four straight defeats at the Bluenergy Stadium and 311 minutes without scoring in front of their own fans. Roma's probable line-up is a 3-4-2-1 with Gollini in goal, Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, and Molina, Cristante, De Roon and Wesley in midfield. Soulé and Mora support Malen up front. Gasperini has again called up two players from the Primavera, Di Nunzio and Camara, and is relying on the young Mora to beat Runjaic's side. Udinese also line up in a 3-4-2-1, with Okoye in goal, Abankwah, Kabasele and Palma in defence, and Zaniolo and Ekkelenkamp among the attacking options alongside Davis. Head-to-head records favour Roma in Friuli. In 55 meetings there, Roma have won 24, Udinese 18, and 13 have ended level. The most recent meeting, last January, went to Udinese, who won 1-0 with a goal from Ekkelenkamp. Udinese have also won two of their last four home matches against the capital club. The match is broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN. Viewers will need a DAZN subscription, and can watch through the app on a smart TV or on a games console such as Xbox or PlayStation. Alternatively, it can be streamed on devices including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and the TIM VISION Box. Live text coverage is available on Forzaroma.info, with updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.