Radio roundup: Corsi backs Roma, Inter and Como for the title; Rossi says Balerdi has displaced N'Dicka; Pruzzo criticises Mora's positioning

Udinese technical director Gianluca Nani has said his side will need a "half miracle" to take anything from tomorrow's clash with Roma, which he described as arriving at the wrong moment for the Friulian club. Speaking to broadcaster Retesport, Nani admitted he could not explain what was happening to Udinese, pointing to a "shameful" performance at Lecce although the side had produced good displays against Inter, Lazio and on other occasions. He acknowledged that Roma have found a strong balance under Gasperini, who is achieving "extraordinary results". Nani said: "We think our side is a good team. We know we face a very difficult commitment, because Roma have found a strong balance, with Gasperini achieving extraordinary results. We will face an extraordinary team, it is a match that comes at the wrong moment. At this moment we will need a half miracle. A year ago we won against the big teams, we also beat Roma, but we were at our peak physically and mentally. At the moment we are not at 100%, but there is quality." Asked about Udinese's approach, he declined to reveal their full plan, saying they would take inspiration from David and Goliath and use their strengths against an objectively superior side. He added that they must avoid some of the defensive distractions conceded in recent matches. On Nicolò Zaniolo, Nani was effusive: "He is a top player, and I can assure you that as a person he is a very good lad, despite certain narratives. He lives by instinct and great energy on the pitch, he is a great professional and an example in the dressing room. He encourages his teammates and wants to win on the pitch. I was fortunate to work with great champions such as Baggio, Guardiola or Toni. Niccolò has comparable quality; at Parma he returned after very few training sessions and the ball sang at his feet. I wish him the very best for us and for the national team." Finally, asked whether he had ever been offered the chance to work at Roma, Nani replied: "No direct contact, no, beyond some journalistic speculation. My career is still long, the best is yet to come."

Fabio Maresca has been appointed to referee Udinese against Roma, a Serie A Matchday 10 fixture set for Saturday 31 October at 18:00 at the Stadio Friuli. The Italian Football Federation's referees' body (AIA) has published the full appointments for the round, and Roma, coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, travel to face Udinese in the match. Maresca, from the Naples section, will be assisted by linesmen Lo Cicero and Rossi L., with Chiffi as fourth official. The VAR will be Paterna, with Aureliano as AVAR. For Roma, the appointment places a referee from the Naples section in charge of an away game in the Friuli, with the rest of the team sheet set for the weekend. The rest of the Matchday 10 programme is also set. Bologna host Monza on Saturday 31 October at 15:00, with Zanotti refereeing. Milan meet Inter at 20:45 the same day, refereed by Guida. Juventus face Napoli at 20:45 with Sozza in charge. Lazio play Cagliari at 15:00 under Colombo, while Lecce face Genoa at 18:00 with Marchetti in the middle. Como host Venezia at 12:30 with Ferrieri Caputi, and Frosinone meet Torino at 15:00 with Mucera. Sassuolo host Fiorentina on Monday 2 November at 18:30 with Marcenaro, and Atalanta face Parma the same evening at 20:45 with Crezzini. The full list of officials for each match, including the VAR and AVAR teams, is published in the referees' designations for the 10th round of Serie A.

Referee Maresca will officiate Udinese against Roma, a match set for tomorrow at 18:00. Maresca's record with the giallorossi is positive: ten wins, five draws and six defeats. Roma's most recent victory under him came against Torino this season. The official's history with Roma has not been free of controversy. In 2021 he denied the giallorossi a penalty in their game against Milan, which was also played on Halloween. Paterna will work the VAR booth, while Aureliano will be the AVAR. Chiffi is the fourth official.

Evan N'Dicka has become a fixture in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma defence, and the Ivorian centre-back is now battling Leonardo Balerdi for a starting place ahead of the trip to Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium. The article notes that Gasperini has long been a critic of N'Dicka's position in the past: in April 2024, when he was Atalanta's coach, he said after the postponement of Udinese-Roma: "Matches with yellow cards should not be postponed", a remark that caused considerable controversy in the Roma camp. Gasperini has also criticised highly structured centre-backs he considers less dynamic in tight man-marking. Since arriving on the Roma bench, however, those old frictions have been wiped away on the pitch. N'Dicka, who was already an indispensable pillar under Mourinho, De Rossi, Juric and Ranieri, has become a fundamental part of Gasperini's system. In Serie A 2024/2025 he made 38 starts out of 38 appearances for a total of 3,420 minutes. Gasperini values his physical presence, his reading of the game in anticipations and his dominance in the air. The Balerdi-N'Dicka contest is one of the main doubts of the eve of the match. Balerdi brings dynamism and ball-carrying from the back, and Daniele Ghilardi has also raised the level of competition, often delivering strong performances even as a substitute. Roma's current run of matches, packed between October and November, makes that competition demanding week after week. According to Sofascore data, N'Dicka's passing accuracy has consistently ranged between 83% and 97%, placing him among the top Serie A centre-backs for passing quality and composure under pressure. He wins 63% of his aerial duels per match, which puts him in the top percentile of Serie A centre-backs. Compared with other Serie A centre-backs who are more aggressive, he averages 5.1 clearances, 4.6 ball recoveries and 1.6 interceptions per 90 minutes, providing essential cover in the box. Against Udinese, whose stocky frame and quick counterattacks are a threat, his physicality and duel ability are seen as crucial. Considering Udinese's crisis under Runjaic and Roma's historical struggles on the road in Friuli, relying on N'Dicka's experience could prove decisive. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the match also looks ahead to the demanding Champions League trip to Manchester United on Tuesday 3 November.

Wesley has been one of Gian Piero Gasperini's first-choice picks this season, and the Brazilian full-back has improved across almost every statistical measure compared with last year, according to SofaScore data. Carlo Ancelotti has kept selecting him for Brazil since taking over the national team, making him the only player who has been on the squad list throughout that period. The defender was denied a starring role at the World Cup by bad luck, but he remains one of the cornerstones of both Brazil and Roma. Personal issues involving his now ex-wife have not distracted him, and he delivered the assist for Leonardo Balerdi's equaliser in the 3-3 draw at Napoli, even though he was not one of the best players on the pitch that night. This season he has already registered two assists, while last year he had none after nine Serie A matchdays. His key passes per match have risen from 0.88 to 2.38, his cross accuracy from 26.9% to 40%, and his duel success rate from 42.7% to 52.6%. The one thing missing so far is a goal. He scored with his first touch for the club last season, in the opener against Bologna, but he is still waiting to find the net this time. Gasperini needs more from him in attack, although goals are not a problem for Roma this season. Wesley was rested for the first 45 minutes against Cagliari, but he is set to start against Udinese tomorrow and in the Champions League match at Manchester on Tuesday. He will be closely watched at Old Trafford, where Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing him. The English side, struggling after a disastrous start to the season, have reportedly made him a target. Chelsea also considered a move in the summer, but Roma rejected an offer of around 40 million euros.

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 defender Daniele Ghilardi is attracting attention from Serie A's big clubs, with AC Milan and Juventus reportedly monitoring his situation ahead of the reopening of the January transfer window. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Milan are the more serious suitors and are considering a possible approach during the winter session. Milan are looking for a central defender and see Ghilardi as one of the alternatives to Sporting's Gonçalo Inácio. Juventus also rate the former Verona player, but for now they do not reportedly see strengthening the defence as an immediate priority. No official offers or negotiations with Roma have been registered. The situation is an interesting one given that Ghilardi is finally earning the trust of Gian Piero Gasperini. He had already made an impression against Slovan Bratislava, and on Tuesday evening against Cagliari he needed only a few minutes to produce a superb assist for Rodrigo Mora's 3-2 goal. A possible sale in January therefore looks far from certain, as Roma need to broaden their rotation options, not reduce them. Gasperini recognised the progress of the 2003-born defender after the Cagliari match, saying: "He has grown a lot compared to last year and will find more and more space." That praise underlines how central Ghilardi has become to the coach's plans in defence. For Roma, the interest from Milan and Juventus is a sign of the player's rising value, but the club's priority is keeping a squad with enough depth for a demanding season.

Rodrigo Mora is enjoying a purple patch at Roma, and the Portuguese national team has now added its backing. Portugal Under-21 coach Luis Freire has praised the Roma midfielder and fellow 2007-born talent Quenda of Chelsea in an interview with the agency Lusa. Mora's rise has continued after a strong display against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday, where he rose to head in and scored the goal that briefly made it 3-2 to Roma. The performance has won him growing admiration among the Giallorossi supporters, and now the praise has come from Portugal as well. Freire said: "The investment in these two nineteen-year-old players, especially considering the sum invested, shows the great confidence that clubs place in them. For my part, I am calm because they are always motivated and ready to help Portugal, and they want to come when they are not called up to the senior national team, of which they have also been part in the past. We have a lot of affection for them and we hope they establish themselves, but we must give them time. We are here with the Under-21s to support both of them and give them a platform."

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.

Evan N'Dicka has become a fixture in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma defence, and the Ivorian centre-back is now battling Leonardo Balerdi for a starting place ahead of the trip to Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium. The article notes that Gasperini has long been a critic of N'Dicka's position in the past: in April 2024, when he was Atalanta's coach, he said after the postponement of Udinese-Roma: "Matches with yellow cards should not be postponed", a remark that caused considerable controversy in the Roma camp. Gasperini has also criticised highly structured centre-backs he considers less dynamic in tight man-marking. Since arriving on the Roma bench, however, those old frictions have been wiped away on the pitch. N'Dicka, who was already an indispensable pillar under Mourinho, De Rossi, Juric and Ranieri, has become a fundamental part of Gasperini's system. In Serie A 2024/2025 he made 38 starts out of 38 appearances for a total of 3,420 minutes. Gasperini values his physical presence, his reading of the game in anticipations and his dominance in the air. The Balerdi-N'Dicka contest is one of the main doubts of the eve of the match. Balerdi brings dynamism and ball-carrying from the back, and Daniele Ghilardi has also raised the level of competition, often delivering strong performances even as a substitute. Roma's current run of matches, packed between October and November, makes that competition demanding week after week. According to Sofascore data, N'Dicka's passing accuracy has consistently ranged between 83% and 97%, placing him among the top Serie A centre-backs for passing quality and composure under pressure. He wins 63% of his aerial duels per match, which puts him in the top percentile of Serie A centre-backs. Compared with other Serie A centre-backs who are more aggressive, he averages 5.1 clearances, 4.6 ball recoveries and 1.6 interceptions per 90 minutes, providing essential cover in the box. Against Udinese, whose stocky frame and quick counterattacks are a threat, his physicality and duel ability are seen as crucial. Considering Udinese's crisis under Runjaic and Roma's historical struggles on the road in Friuli, relying on N'Dicka's experience could prove decisive. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the match also looks ahead to the demanding Champions League trip to Manchester United on Tuesday 3 November.

Radio pundit Simone Valdarchi expects Gian Piero Gasperini to rotate Roma's defence and flanks for the upcoming match. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà, he said Koulierakis and Mancini could drop out of the starting line-up compared with the last outing, while at least two of Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso could feature. Valdarchi also believes Gasperini would give Evan N'Dicka a rest if he had the chance, but he thinks it is not the right moment to do so. The comments come as Roma prepare for Saturday's league fixture against Udinese and the Champions League trip to Manchester. Piero Torri, also speaking on Radio Manà Manà, said: "Dell'Udinese temo la classifica. Non è una squadra che merita di essere nel punto in cui si trova per i valori che ha. Hanno recuperato quasi tutti gli infortunati Solet a parte. Tra la gara di sabato e quella di Manchester è più importante la prima." In English: "I fear Udinese's league position. It is not a team that deserves to be where it is, given the quality it has. They have recovered almost all their injured players except Solet. Between Saturday's match and the one in Manchester, the first is more important."

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.