Roma Aim for Five Straight Wins Before Champions League Test

Roma head to the Bluenergy Stadium looking to beat Udinese and extend their winning run to two matches, and their unbeaten run to ten. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly preparing a set of considered changes for the fixture. Daniele Ghilardi is set to start in defence, Rodrigo Mora is called upon to start from the first minute, and Marten de Roon is expected to be rested. Wesley returns to start on the flank, regaining his place on the wing. The match is not expected to be straightforward, but the article describes this Roma side as having the strength to keep fighting for their goals. Roma are chasing a second consecutive win and a tenth successive result without defeat, with Gasperini's ideas clearly set out for the trip north. The Italian sports dailies largely agree on the lineup. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and La Repubblica all name a 3-4-1-2 with Gollini in goal, Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso in defence, Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli and Wesley in midfield, Mora in behind, and Soulé and Malen up front. Il Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo differ in placing De Roon alongside Cristante and Pisilli behind Malen and Soulé, while Il Corriere dello Sport also includes Ndicka in a back three. Il Corriere della Sera names Rensch in midfield and Ndicka in defence, with Ghilardi and Hermoso alongside him. All of the papers name Gasperini as coach.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium to face Udinese this afternoon, on Halloween, with the chance to stay near the top of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are the clear favourites on paper, but the match is not expected to be straightforward. Udinese have made one of the worst starts in their history, and coach Runjaic's position is reportedly under threat. Gasperini has taken a cautious approach ahead of the fixture. Roma are still without Svilar, Koné, Dybala and Pellegrini. The Giallorossi also have to avoid looking ahead to their upcoming Champions League trip to Manchester, which is described as a fascinating away game. Udinese's physicality and recent meetings between the sides demand full focus. The article stresses that wounded, hungry opponents fighting for points are exactly where a big team must prove its worth. Roma need to secure their path in the league before turning their attention to the results at the top of the table in Milan.

Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has praised the club's current form and the coaching of Gian Piero Gasperini, speaking in an interview with Il Foglio about the opening weeks of the Serie A season. Sabatini said he had seen a Roma match a month earlier and had been struck by how the players sought each other out and embraced after a decisive goal. Sabatini said: "Spiritual cohesion is a superior factor. Roma are going through this collective state of mind: Gasperini teaches the orthodoxy of winning, he is a coach who makes you take giant strides." He pointed to the 3-3 draw with Napoli as a boost for Italian football, saying both sides had played superbly in a battle that honoured the ball. Sabatini added: "When we are at this level, everyone has to chase the Serie A title." His comments underline the belief that Roma's collective spirit, built under Gasperini, has carried the team through the early stages of the campaign.