Pruzzo warns Roma against forced sales of top players like Svilar

Roman radio pundits have urged Roma to move quickly for Endrick, while debating the Udinese fixture and the club's attacking options. Mario Corsi (Tele Radio Stereo) said that Roma must act first, warning that AC Milan could beat them to the forward. He pointed to Roma's spending: "Dopo aver speso 60 milioni per Ramos, uno che non segna mai, se può spendere anche per questo... ecco perché dobbiamo muoverci." Corsi also claimed that Endrick would agree to join Roma if he chose the club, and he suggested Mourinho was still thinking about Roma. David Rossi (Rete Sport) raised concerns about Paulo Dybala's fitness before the international break. He said playing Dybala in the game before the break would be "una forzatura" and suggested that Matías Soulé would be used in every match, which could become a problem. Rossi also asked why Roma did not try Guaglianone in the current emergency, noting that Guaglianone had brought forwards such as Arena and Paratici but had never brought in a "mezza punta", the role where Roma are struggling. Gianluca Piacentini (Rete Sport) said that Roma now feel more confident in the strength of the squad than they did last season, when a top-four finish was essential. He said he wanted Roma to aim for first place rather than fourth, and he admitted he would now prefer AC Milan to win the derby over Inter. Lorenzo Pes (Tele Radio Stereo) expected Hermoso and Balerdi to play at Udine, and said Marten de Roon, whom he had seen declining against Cagliari, would likely start alongside Bryan Cristante with Niccolò Pisilli pushed forward. He tipped Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro to come off the bench. Pes said Mile Svilar would return after the break, and that Manu Koné had resumed training on the pitch to be available against Sassuolo. Of Dybala, he said: "Dipende da lui. Ma per Manchester mi sembra obiettivamente difficile." Alessio Nardo (Tele Radio Stereo) questioned whether Gasperini already had an XI in mind for Manchester and, consequently, for Udinese. He said: "Sia United che Udinese sono due panchine a fortissimo rischio, bisognerà capire se è un vantaggio o meno per noi." He added: "Io non dico che vincere a Udine domani sarebbe un'impresa, ma comunque sarebbe un grandissimo risultato per la Roma." Nando Orsi (Radio Radio) was the most confident of a Roma win, arguing that Udinese were in free fall. He said: "Questa è l'occasione giusta per la Roma... Non vedo un altro tipo di risultato oltre alla vittoria della Roma." Roberto Pruzzo (Radio Radio) warned that Roma must settle the match early, cautioning that Udinese had recovered Davis and Zaniolo and could cause problems if Roma conceded space. He added: "È una partita da prendere con le molle." Mario Mattioli (Radio Radio) argued that Udine would not be easy for Roma despite Udinese's crisis, and said a Roma win would be "un'altra piccola impresa di questo campionato." Ubaldo Righetti (Radio Romanista) said Roma were not tired against Cagliari, though Mancini may have been, and that De Roon was still effective because he worked through the lines rather than chasing opponents. Righetti said the problem was frenzy, with simple passes going astray. Daniele Lo Monaco (Radio Romanista) warned that Mora risked the same fate as Bojan, who never fulfilled the promise he showed after leaving Barcelona.

Roma's radio pundits have been weighing up the team ahead of tomorrow's trip to Udinese, and Lorenzo Pes on Teleradiostereo 92.7 says Paulo Dybala is unlikely to feature in the Champions League against Manchester United. Pes said: "Balerdi and Hermoso have recovered. I expect de Roon to start again. Svilar will return against Parma, the medical staff have decided not to take a risk and the goalkeeper could go back to work in Belgium. Koné trained on the pitch yesterday, his goal is to return with Sassuolo and then go to the national team. Dybala wants to be there against Manchester, but it will depend on him. He also did personalised work yesterday, and for now it is difficult to see him in the Champions League." The broadcasters are unanimous that Roma must win in Udine, and several pundits warn that the fixture is no formality. Francesco Balzani on Teleradiostereo 92.7 said: "I fear everyone. Roma are clearly stronger and must win in Udine, but when there are these closely spaced matches... And Udinese at home have always caused problems for the giallorossi. My mind is on Manchester on Sunday, and I hope the players do the same. The most important path for me remains the one in Italy, the goal is the Scudetto, and you must not fail these games against the 'small' sides." Roberto Pruzzo on Radio Radio Mattino 104.5 noted that Udinese have recovered Davis and Zaniolo and could cause problems, adding: "Roma must immediately steer the game tomorrow. In the last match Gollini made some saves and the giallorossi must be careful. In midfield Roma have few alternatives. This point of the season is delicate." The panel's predictions on the line-up vary. Ugo Trani on Teleradiostereo 92.7 said: "I think the certainties like Wesley and Malen will surely play tomorrow, the doubt is at the back. If Balerdi is well he could play him at centre-right, but if he is not at 100% he will not risk him. On the right flank, in my opinion, Lulli plays. Up front Soulé and Mora from the start, but they could also field a midfielder. I don't think they will force Koné's return before the break, also because France are there too. The Udine game frightens me, Manchester is whatever comes. But against Udinese I consider it the hardest of the three matches." Trani also said: "Ghilardi has learned a lot from Mancini, sometimes he even gives the impression he could play as a winger because he has an explosive pace." He added: "I really hope for Endrick, Milan are out. If he leaves, he comes here." Felici said on Teleradiostereo 92.7: "We need some attention towards Udinese, but we also need a sense of reality, and the conclusion is that Roma cannot afford not to win in Udine. Against Cagliari, even though the win came 4-2, it was not a stroll. In Udine you may not have to score a goal-fest, but to win you have to win." Balzani expected "two changes in defence", with Ghilardi and Balerdi alongside Hermoso, and suggested Mora could start with Cristante pushed forward and de Roon behind. Simone Valdarchi on Radio Manà Manà 90.9 expects rotation in defence and on the flanks, pointing out that Koulierakis and Mancini could be left out compared with the last outing, while at least two of Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso could play. He said: "If he had the chance, I think Gasp would give Ndicka a rest too, but maybe it is not the moment." Nando Orsi on Radio Radio Mattino 104.5 was the most confident: "There is too great a gap between Roma and Udinese. All games are difficult, but on the pitch you see the differences in value. I do not see any other result besides a Roma win."

Former Roma striker Paolo Poggi, who played for the club in 2000-01 and for Udinese between 1994 and 2000, has said Gasperini's current side has the same dominant character as the Roma team that won the 2000-01 Scudetto. Speaking exclusively to Retesport, Poggi also gave his view on Donyell Malen, saying the Dutch forward gives the sense that his team starts every match 1-0 up. "This is the level," he said of Malen's play. He played alongside strikers of the calibre of Bierhoff. Poggi was asked whether the current team resembles the Scudetto side coached by Capello's predecessor Capelli. He said the comparison is difficult. The 2000-01 Roma had come off a disappointing season, but then began to impose itself from the start thanks to a strong structure built around a plan put in place by Capelli, alongside structural changes at board level. The team was preparing to win the title and was of the highest quality, he said. Poggi added that it was predictable Gasperini's side would have this impact on the league. Its continuity and the force with which it imposes itself can surprise, and it is this aspect that makes the two versions of Roma look alike. On the differences between Roma and Udinese, Poggi said the provincial club gives players time to grow because there are no major targets to reach. Pressure in the capital is different, he said, but it is not a negative factor. It is up to the player to adapt and understand what is required. He admitted that he himself had not managed to do so, and that his own spell had not been up to standard, but said he remained proud to have been part of one of the most beautiful clubs in the world, an experience he described as pleasant both footballing and personally. Of Udinese, he said the city and the club are the two key factors. Fans welcome players and do not judge them immediately, waiting for them and valuing the small things that can be done early on. Balance is not what defines Roma, he said with a laugh. Udinese help players organisationally, letting them think only about the pitch and removing all the surrounding noise through a top-level set-up. The real change came in the 1990s, when the club moved from Serie B to Serie A, and since then there has been no relegation. Asked about Udinese's current situation under Runjaić, Poggi, who captained the club, said it was hard to explain from the outside. He believes Udinese have one of the most competitive squads of recent seasons, but a negative start to the league has not helped them find consistency. He watched the last two matches live, against Lecce and Milan, and as an observer he was concerned to see the features that typically define the team missing: physical strength, running, and everything that made Udinese difficult to play against. Runjaić's side, with greater confidence, could have won the previous day, but seemed afraid of losing. On the Under-23 rule, which he had seen in his time working in Udinese's youth sector, Poggi said he believes it is one of the solutions available. A player at the age limit must play for the first team. Serie C is a good school for players leaving the Primavera who need one last step of experience. Some players develop late, while others are strong enough to leave early to test themselves against those who are ready. He hopes more clubs can run Under-23 sides, provided Italian players are given opportunities.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium to face Udinese on Saturday 31 October at 18:00, in Serie A matchday 10. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive after a 4-2 win over Cagliari that moved them into third place with 21 points. Udinese, coached by Kosta Runjaic, ended a run of six consecutive defeats with a 0-0 draw at Parma, but have not scored in three matches and have collected just five points from their first nine games. Runiajc has confirmed the absences of Solet, Bayo, Zanoli and Alaba. Okoye is expected in goal, with Abankwah, Kabasele and Palma in the back three and Vojvoda and Kamara on the flanks. Karlstrom is set to anchor midfield alongside either Zarraga or Piotrowski, while Zaniolo and Ekkelenkamp support Davis up front. Bertola has recovered from injury. Gueye is also unavailable for the hosts. Roma are without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala, who has not been included in the squad. Gollini keeps his place in goal. Gasperini is expected to rotate heavily in defence, with Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso favoured, while Mancini and N'Dicka are initially set to rest. Lulli and Wesley will operate on the flanks, with Cristante and Pisilli in midfield and De Roon given a breather. Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Malen are confirmed up front. Both teams line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The match will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN, via the DAZN app on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, consoles and computers, and on the DAZN 1 channel for satellite subscribers who have activated the option. There is no live coverage on the traditional Sky Sport channels. Kick-off is at 18:00 on Saturday 31 October. Bookmakers make Roma clear favourites. Udinese are priced between 5.50 and 5.70, a draw between 4.20 and 4.50, and a Roma win between 1.52 and 1.57. Market probabilities give Roma around a 60% chance of victory. Bookmakers also expect goals, with Over 2.5 favoured over Under, and Goal offered at a relatively low price. Roma have the second-best attack in the league. The most likely correct score is a 1-2 Roma win, priced around 7.00-7.50, ahead of 1-1, 0-1 and 0-2. The referee is Fabio Maresca of Napoli, with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi L., Daniele Chiffi as fourth official, Daniele Paterna as VAR and Gianluca Aureliano as AVAR.

Roma head to Udine tomorrow to face Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium, with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad list released in the afternoon. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala are absent, all already announced as unavailable. Young Roma players Di Nunzio and Camara have been called up again. The match comes at a delicate moment, as Roma must deal with fatigue on top of the injury absences. Ghilardi starts at centre-back from the first minute in place of Gianluca Mancini. In attack, Mora and Soulé operate behind Donyell Malen in the trequartista area. Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic spoke at his pre-match press conference: "Roma are fighting for the scudetto. They are strong, but we don't set off without hope. Davis and Zaniolo are not at 100% but they will play."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's trip to Udinese, with Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala ruled out. The match takes place tomorrow at 18:00 at the Bluenergy Stadium and counts for the tenth matchday of Serie A. The absences of Svilar, Koné and Dybala had already been announced. Roma's squad includes the young players Di Nunzio and Camara, who are both included in the matchday group. The goalkeepers are Devis Vásquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. The defenders are Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. The midfielders are Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Rodrigo Mora. The forwards are Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Camara.