Koulierakis joins Roma in Wales, eager to work with Gasperini

Marten de Roon has started seven consecutive matches for Roma and remains one of Gian Piero Gasperini's trusted players, starting from the first minute again against Udinese. Following the win, the Dutch midfielder celebrated on social media with a Halloween-themed message: "Dolcetto o scherzetto? Tre punti sono meglio! Grazie per il vostro supporto e godetevi una dolce notte di Halloween giallorossi!" Soulé also posted on Instagram after the result, writing: "Un'altra vittoria. Questa è la strada che dobbiamo continuare a percorrere. Forza Roma!" The Argentine did not score but registered two assists on the day. Mora also found the net and posted a short message: "+3". The victory against Udinese keeps Roma's momentum going, with De Roon's consistent selection underlining his importance to the side under Gasperini.

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi has spoken about scoring his first Serie A goal, in the win over Udinese, and said the squad is full of players who all feel like starters under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Dazn after the match, Ghilardi described the moment: "Yes, it's my first goal in Serie A. I'm very happy. I struck it with all the strength I had. It was the end of the match, I had cramp in my calves. I was dead, I was stretching and they didn't see me." Asked whether he celebrated better than Emanuele Lulli, he laughed off the comparison: "Emanuele wasn't used to it, I've scored 2 in B and 1 in C. Few, but something. I'm very happy. It took me more than two seasons to do it, and I'm glad." Ghilardi also explained how Gasperini's attacking style helps defenders get forward. "We're used to getting into the box and playing in the penalty area. The coach says all of us have the quality to score or assist, and we work on it a lot in training. I think it shows." He has scored one goal and provided two assists in 10 days, and has only one assist in his career before this run. Asked when that was, he recalled: "A Mantova-Vicenza, with a goal by Padella. I remember it very well." Asked whether everyone in the Roma squad is really a starter, Ghilardi replied: "Yes, we're really all starters and it shows. Everyone has played and each of us has had his own minutes, doing what he had to do. We're having a great season and we'll keep going like this. There are many matches and we need everyone."

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 produced a dominant display to beat Udinese 5-2 at the Bluenergy Stadium in the tenth round of Serie A, with Cristante, Rodrigo Mora, Malen, Ndicka and Ghilardi all on the scoresheet. Cristante was named the best player on the pitch by the Giallorossi.net editorial team, which rated him 8 out of 10, after a first half the reviewer described as monstrous: he opened the scoring with a header and then set up Rodrigo Mora for the second goal. Soulé was credited with an assist for the third goal and also set up Ndicka's header for the fourth. The result was a commanding performance from Gasperini's side, who were rated 7.5 for the manager's work despite heavy absences. The first half was largely one-sided, with Roma playing an attacking, brilliant brand of football. The second half was more loose, and Udinese scored twice, though the reviewer felt those goals were avoidable and did not detract from a strong evening. Ghilardi was rated 7.5 and was praised for playing with a composure surprising for his age, staying clean in his challenges and sealing the win with a late goal. Ndicka, rated 7, was described as attentive and was rewarded with a headed goal that made it 4-0 for the time being. Hermoso, rated 6.5, was praised for his passing and his quality with the ball. Soulé was rated 7.5 and was singled out for quality, personality and an added concreteness, with the reviewer saying he had finally made the step up that had long been asked of him. De Roon, rated 7, was praised for taking control of midfield and for his positioning. Wesley, rated 6.5, was credited with the cross for Cristante's opening header but was criticised for avoidable technical errors. Molina, rated 6, was judged to have been less convincing and was said to have made numerous simple mistakes. Gollini was rated 6, having had little to do in the first half before being beaten twice after the break. Rodrigo Mora, rated 7, scored the second goal, his third of the season, despite limited minutes, and was described as a player who knows how to find the net. Malen, rated 7, had a missed chance against the crossbar but then produced a clinical left-foot finish past Okoye. Malen was described as always dangerous, and Castro, rated 6, came on and was said to have been repeatedly called back to the bench by Gasperini before providing the pass for Ghilardi's late goal. Pisilli was rated 6 after coming on, and Koulierakis and Rensch and Mancini all came on late in the game without leaving a mark.

Roma beat Udinese 5-2 away, with Daniele Ghilardi scoring the fifth goal. In the player ratings, Ghilardi earned a 7, Ndicka a 7, while Gollini and Hermoso were each given a 6. Gasperini had predicted that Ghilardi would find more and more space in the team, and the defender started immediately. He showed personality and a healthy aggression in the tackle. In the first half, few dangers came down his side, though part of the credit for that was his. After the break, Udinese's attackers changed, but Ghilardi's concentration did not, and he went on to score Roma's fifth. Gollini got through his first two minutes as Miller tested him from distance, then watched much of the game from a distance. He made a brave save from Palma's header at the end of the first half. The second half opened with a familiar scene: a short, central parry, with a deflection, and a tap-in from Zaniolo. Hermoso was often used to build play from deep, and his urge to push the ball into dangerous areas was a trait that pleased Gasperini. He headed clear at the middle of the first half and dozed slightly on Zaniolo's goal, but he made many important interventions. Ndicka was tested when the danger came in his own area, a feeling he rarely experiences. He appeared unexpectedly in the opposition box, like Michael Myers. Koulierakis came on at 84' and was not rated.

Roma head to Udinese with Gian Piero Gasperini making several changes to his starting line-up, with Daniele Ghilardi coming into the defence. The match is part of a demanding run of fixtures for the Giallorossi, and the team sheets for both sides have been confirmed. In midfield, Marten de Roon keeps his place rather than being rested and will pair with Bryan Cristante. Up front, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé form the attacking partnership, with Donyell Malen playing behind them. Udinese are coached by Runjaic and line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Okoye in goal and Zaniolo and Ekkelenkamp supporting Davis in attack. Roma's starting XI is Gollini; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen, set out in a 3-4-2-1. For Udinese, Okoye starts in goal, with Abankwah, Kabasele and Palma in defence, Vojvoda, Piotrowski, Karlström and Kamara in midfield, and Davis leading the line. On the bench, Roma have Vásquez, De Marzi, Koulierakis, Rensch, Mancini, Pisilli, Lulli, Di Nunzio, Castro, Arena and Camara among the options available to Gasperini. Udinese's replacements include Padelli, Mrozek, Bertola, Ebosse, Zarraga, Miller, Lovric, Arizala, Chakvetadze, Jovanovic, Unai Gómez and Vinciati.