Pisilli seizes starting chance with goal as Roma extend winning run

Roma travel to Udinese for matchday 10 of Serie A, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side needing to keep pace with Inter and Lazio, who lead on 4 points more, while also keeping an eye on Como, who are just one point behind. Roma are coming off a win over Cagliari, and Lulli is on course to be retained in the starting line-up. Malen is ready to return from the start alongside Soulé, while Rodrigo Mora, decisive in the last round, is pushing for a starting place. Dybala remains out. For Udinese, there is a return to the past for Zaniolo, who is ready to help his side 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, the probable line-ups and the current Serie A standings.

Matías Soulé has established himself as a key figure in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma, growing from a young talent in search of consistency into a central point of reference for the attack. With Paulo Dybala absent through injury, the Argentine has taken on responsibility for carrying the team, producing high-level performances and steadily improving numbers: 3 goals and 2 assists in the first nine league matches of the season. Among those goals was the one that gave Roma the temporary lead against Napoli at the Maradona, a strike that underlines his ability to influence matches at decisive moments. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the impact of the 2003-born forward on Gasperini's side is clear in the statistics. Compared with his first nine games in previous seasons in Italy, from his debut with Juventus through his spells with Frosinone and with Roma in earlier campaigns, the new Soulé is enjoying his best start ever in terms of attacking output and involvement in play. He averages 2.78 shots on target per match and 2.22 successful dribbles, and contributes consistently to the press, winning the ball back from opponents. The Argentine combines individual quality with the work rate demanded by the Piedmontese coach. These performances not only justify the club's investment in him but also position him to push firmly for a permanent call-up to the Argentina national team under coach Scaloni.

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has turned his attention to Saturday's home match against Roma after his side drew 0-0 with Parma. Speaking to Dazn at the final whistle, the Nigerian said: "We always want to win and we need points. At Parma we took one and that's fine, now straight away our focus is on the next one." Udinese have been unlucky in recent games, and Okoye pointed to the absence of key players as a factor. "In these matches we have been unlucky, and then we were missing players like Zaniolo, whose importance we saw today." The Italian headline's quote, "We will play to win", reflects the same determination heading into the clash with Roma. The Friuli side face Roma at home on Saturday, with the Giallorossi arriving in Udine looking to continue their campaign. Okoye's comments underline Udinese's need for points as they look to climb the table, and his praise for Zaniolo highlights how much the hosts have missed their creative presence during recent fixtures.

Hermoso has played the most minutes of any Roma player this season, with 812 minutes on the pitch across the first twelve matches in Serie A and the Champions League. Wesley follows closely on 806 minutes, having just been called up by the Brazilian national team, and Gianluca Mancini has logged 798 minutes. Il Tempo reports that the figures show Gian Piero Gasperini is rotating his squad rather than relying on fixed starters. The rotation has become necessary because of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days, which ends with games against Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo. Mancini has shown some signs of fatigue in recent outings, which has given Gasperini the chance to turn to fresher options such as Ghilardi, Koulierakis and Balerdi. On the flanks, Molina, Lulli and Rensch take turns, while Ndicka remains a reliable presence in defence with 727 minutes played. In midfield, Cristante and Koné have been used consistently, alongside Pisilli and De Roon. In attack, Soulé (770 minutes) and Malen (752 minutes) have been the most used forwards. Dybala, who is currently sidelined, is next on the list, followed by younger players Mora and Castro, who continue to earn valuable spells within the season's rotations.

Roma have returned to training ahead of a crowded run of fixtures, with Koné now fully recovered from his injury and aiming to return against Sassuolo. The squad travels to Friuli today for Sunday's Serie A match against Udinese, before moving on to Manchester on Monday on the eve of the Champions League clash with United, and the club are facing both games with a depleted list of players. Mile Svilar's medical tests confirmed that his return has been pushed back until after the international break. Paulo Dybala gave no cause for optimism after yesterday's session, as the Argentine forward trained on a personalised programme because he is still feeling discomfort in his calf. His availability for the trip to England is therefore very uncertain. Koné, by contrast, is over his injury and has started working apart from the group on the pitch. The French midfielder, like Dybala, is determined to be back in action for the league meeting with Sassuolo. For the trip to Udine, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who has chosen not to hold his usual pre-match press conference, is weighing up solutions and changes in defence, where Hermoso and Balerdi have shaken off their respective knocks. In midfield, De Roon is the favourite to play alongside the pairing of Cristante and Pisilli, while up front Malen is set to return from the start alongside Soulé.

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing significant changes for tomorrow's trip to Udinese, with Donyell Malen returning to the starting XI. Malen's last visit to Udine was his worst performance in a Roma shirt, though he did find the net that day, sadly the wrong one: his deflection was the decisive touch on Ekkelenkamp's free kick. Behind him, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé are set to play. Marten de Roon, who needs a rest after six matches in twenty days, drops out, along with the other three midfielders who were in the previous selection. Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli will form the central midfield pairing. Roma face two games in four days, with the squad still stretched by injuries and absences. Wesley will start on the left in both fixtures. On the right, Nahuel Molina, Emanuele Lulli and Devyne Rensch are in contention, with Rensch surprisingly named in the starting line-up in Istanbul and Naples. Rotation is also on the cards at the back, the department with the most players available. Leonardo Balerdi has put behind him a tough setback and will start. Mario Hermoso has recovered after not being at his best and is also available. Gianluca Mancini is likely to miss out, having run low on energy and been among the weakest performers of the season so far, with some physical complaints picked up on international duty that have never fully cleared. Daniele Aloisi, writing in Il Messaggero, reports that Daniele Ghilardi is looking for minutes and consistency and could take Mancini's place. Evan N'Dicka is the defender in the best form, and Gasperini does not want to do without him. If N'Dicka plays, Balerdi will operate on the left of the centre-back pairing. If N'Dicka rests, Balerdi will move into the middle with Hermoso alongside him. Gasperini will settle those doubts in the coming hours. Roma's focus then turns to Old Trafford, where the hope is that, for once, the 'theatre of dreams' does not turn back into a nightmare.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has drawn up a shopping list as the club looks to strengthen its squad, with three signings reportedly in mind before the international break. Roma face Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo as the last three matches of a gruelling run of nine games in 28 days, and they are doing so short of numbers. Svilar, Dybala and Koné will not be available tomorrow, and only the last two are hoping to return from the next fixtures. The squad is stretched thin. Gasperini said earlier in the season: "La rosa va allungata" ("The squad needs to be lengthened"). While awaiting the UEFA ruling expected in November, the sporting director is already working to reinforce the team. Last January, Malen, Vaz, Venturino and Zaragoza arrived at the club. Gasperini would be content with three targeted signings: an attacking winger, a backup for Wesley and a dynamic central midfielder. For the attacking unit, the names linked are Leweling and Gittens. A surprise could be van Bommel of PSV Eindhoven, a player Roma have been monitoring for some time. Roma are also not giving up on Endrick. Real Madrid have little room for the Brazilian, who wants to leave. D'Amico will need to find the right formula, which could resemble the deal that brought Bobby in a year ago: a loan with an obligation to buy on certain conditions. Attention then turns to the wide midfield. Mendes has offered Balde of Barcelona, while the new name is Pascini of Atlético Mineiro. The most pressing problem, however, is midfield. Pellegrini will return in 2027, and Koné has frequent physical problems. Roma need a energetic runner in the centre of the park, and Moses of Slavia Prague is on the notebook.

Roma travel to Udinese for matchday 10 of Serie A, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side needing to keep pace with Inter and Lazio, who lead on 4 points more, while also keeping an eye on Como, who are just one point behind. Roma are coming off a win over Cagliari, and Lulli is on course to be retained in the starting line-up. Malen is ready to return from the start alongside Soulé, while Rodrigo Mora, decisive in the last round, is pushing for a starting place. Dybala remains out. For Udinese, there is a return to the past for Zaniolo, who is ready to help his side 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, the probable line-ups and the current Serie A standings.

Hermoso has played the most minutes of any Roma player this season, with 812 minutes on the pitch across the first twelve matches in Serie A and the Champions League. Wesley follows closely on 806 minutes, having just been called up by the Brazilian national team, and Gianluca Mancini has logged 798 minutes. Il Tempo reports that the figures show Gian Piero Gasperini is rotating his squad rather than relying on fixed starters. The rotation has become necessary because of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days, which ends with games against Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo. Mancini has shown some signs of fatigue in recent outings, which has given Gasperini the chance to turn to fresher options such as Ghilardi, Koulierakis and Balerdi. On the flanks, Molina, Lulli and Rensch take turns, while Ndicka remains a reliable presence in defence with 727 minutes played. In midfield, Cristante and Koné have been used consistently, alongside Pisilli and De Roon. In attack, Soulé (770 minutes) and Malen (752 minutes) have been the most used forwards. Dybala, who is currently sidelined, is next on the list, followed by younger players Mora and Castro, who continue to earn valuable spells within the season's rotations.

Former Roma and Udinese player Stefano Desideri, who spent six seasons at Roma from 1985 to 1991 with 189 appearances and 33 goals, and five at Udinese from October 1992 to 1997 with 137 appearances and nine goals, has praised Bryan Cristante as an increasingly influential leader in an interview ahead of Udinese v Roma. Desideri was asked whether Roma looked tired after their win over Cagliari. He did not fully agree: he pointed to a run of closely spaced matches, travelling, and forced changes in the line-up because of injuries. He added that Cagliari are one of the surprises of the league, and said Roma had coped more than well with the rotation and adjustments. On the midfield, Desideri said Cristante has been consistently positive. Despite an injury, his return was immediately at a high level, even with recent tactical adjustments. He said Cristante is useful to every coach and is increasingly a leader who does not need to raise his voice in the dressing room, and a reference point for the young players who arrive at Roma. Of Marten de Roon, Desideri said the two are similar in type and that his impact has been impressive: he made his weight and value felt immediately, along with his guidance. He said it is not easy to change clubs after many years and perform at a high level straight away, but that it has come naturally to De Roon. Asked to rank the top sides in Serie A, Desideri placed Inter and Roma ahead because they have something extra. He said Lazio are doing something surprising and entirely unexpected, and praised Como, whose club he said is working in an extraordinary way and consolidating a series of aspects and values on the pitch, adding that he expects them to maintain those levels until the end. On Udinese, who sit low after nine matchdays, Desideri said he could never have predicted it. He described a settled side with a recognisable identity and players improved by the coaching of Kosta Runjaić. He warned that Udinese must pull themselves out by any means to avoid being dragged into a part of the table they are no longer used to. Looking ahead to January, Desideri said he does not put much faith in the winter transfer market in general. He was reassured, however, that Gasperini does not sign players just to sign them. If the opportunities and terms are right, he believes Roma will try to bring in another midfielder, who would be useful, and a winger.

Hermoso has played the most minutes of any Roma player this season, with 812 minutes on the pitch across the first twelve matches in Serie A and the Champions League. Wesley follows closely on 806 minutes, having just been called up by the Brazilian national team, and Gianluca Mancini has logged 798 minutes. Il Tempo reports that the figures show Gian Piero Gasperini is rotating his squad rather than relying on fixed starters. The rotation has become necessary because of a demanding run of nine matches in 27 days, which ends with games against Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo. Mancini has shown some signs of fatigue in recent outings, which has given Gasperini the chance to turn to fresher options such as Ghilardi, Koulierakis and Balerdi. On the flanks, Molina, Lulli and Rensch take turns, while Ndicka remains a reliable presence in defence with 727 minutes played. In midfield, Cristante and Koné have been used consistently, alongside Pisilli and De Roon. In attack, Soulé (770 minutes) and Malen (752 minutes) have been the most used forwards. Dybala, who is currently sidelined, is next on the list, followed by younger players Mora and Castro, who continue to earn valuable spells within the season's rotations.

Roma have returned to training ahead of a crowded run of fixtures, with Koné now fully recovered from his injury and aiming to return against Sassuolo. The squad travels to Friuli today for Sunday's Serie A match against Udinese, before moving on to Manchester on Monday on the eve of the Champions League clash with United, and the club are facing both games with a depleted list of players. Mile Svilar's medical tests confirmed that his return has been pushed back until after the international break. Paulo Dybala gave no cause for optimism after yesterday's session, as the Argentine forward trained on a personalised programme because he is still feeling discomfort in his calf. His availability for the trip to England is therefore very uncertain. Koné, by contrast, is over his injury and has started working apart from the group on the pitch. The French midfielder, like Dybala, is determined to be back in action for the league meeting with Sassuolo. For the trip to Udine, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who has chosen not to hold his usual pre-match press conference, is weighing up solutions and changes in defence, where Hermoso and Balerdi have shaken off their respective knocks. In midfield, De Roon is the favourite to play alongside the pairing of Cristante and Pisilli, while up front Malen is set to return from the start alongside Soulé.