Roma face maturity test against Inter, says Serena; Malen praised as 'phenomenon'

Former Roma striker Okaka has backed the Giallorossi to win the Scudetto, speaking to Sky Sport on the day Roma face Udinese. He said the team under Gian Piero Gasperini is in a strong position so early in the season, and that the club has a clear ambition. Okaka praised the club's young players, who have been scoring for Roma this season. "It's a positive aspect because young players are the future of football. At Rome they have a master like Gasperini who prepares them for the big step, and for this reason they find it easier to emerge," he said. Asked which of the two sides had surprised him more, Roma or Udinese, he named Udinese. "Certainly Udinese. I didn't expect them to be so low. Roma, on the other hand, had already built an important base last year, with a coach who created a different kind of magic. Udinese are a fantastic club, very strong, who could reach the European zone. Unfortunately, things don't always go as you imagine." He added that Udinese face a difficult match tonight against "an armada that wants to play for the title". Asked what convinces him most about Roma, Okaka pointed to the chemistry between coach, squad and fans. "Rome is not a square like the others: you must put your heart in first, then everything follows. Let's hope we all go to the Circo Massimo to celebrate." He also spoke about Donyell Malen, saying: "Beyond the qualities of the Dutchman, what strikes me is his way of playing. He has an incredible hunger, he feels the shirt he wears, he never pulls back his leg, he runs and fights. He is someone who has connected with all of Rome."

Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has heaped praise on the club and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, highlighting the squad's collective spirit as the key to the team's current form. Speaking to Il Foglio, Sabatini focused on the group's cohesion and the influence of Gasperini, who he said has taught the side the orthodoxy of winning. 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 steps." For Sabatini, Roma's progress comes not only from results but also from the identity built within the squad and the coach's ability to drive the group forward. Sabatini also commented on the spectacular 3-3 draw with Napoli, a match he described as a positive sign for Italian football as a whole. He said: "The 3-3 with Napoli is a tonic for Italian football. Both teams played very well, producing a battle that honours the ball: when we are at this level, everyone must chase Serie A." Roma now turn their attention to an away trip to Udinese, a fixture that carries weight in the table. The same day also features Milan-Inter and Juventus-Napoli.

Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma are planning to attack Udinese's vulnerability from dead-ball situations, with the aim of winning the match at Udine and catching out coach Runjaic. Roma need points as Inter and Lazio keep up the pressure at the top, and the article says the Giallorossi cannot afford to fall behind in the chase. Gasperini has reportedly passed on the message that it is no time to give up. Udine will not be easy. Udinese have taken less from their results than they deserved, and against Parma they faced a real siege, with twenty shots and no goals. Runjaic is looking for a turnaround and wants to find it precisely against Roma. The Friulani have already shown they can trouble the Giallorossi, and last season Gasperini's side suffered badly against their physicality. Roma's plan starts with taking the game onto technical ground and quality, avoiding a contest of duels and tackles where Udinese can use all their strength. With the ball at their feet, Roma believe they have the quality to make the difference. Udinese have won one of their last seven matches, scoring few goals and conceding many. Since Monza, they have conceded the most goals from set pieces, five in total, with an average of 0.57 xG conceded per match from these situations. Roma, meanwhile, have been less effective from set pieces this season: they are ninth for goals from dead-ball situations with three, compared with fifteen in 2025-26, when they finished fourth in Serie A. Gasperini has the men and the options to hurt Udinese. Hermoso is a guarantee in the air, Cristante knows how to attack the near post, and Balerdi can also be a resource. Bryan Cristante has already shown he can be decisive from these situations: with De Rossi on the bench, his header decided a nerve-shredding match. The match kicks off at 18:00, and the article suggests set pieces could be the key to taking the game.

Roma travel to Udine for Serie A matchday 10 against Udinese, with the match kicking off at 18:00 and broadcast exclusively on DAZN. Gian Piero Gasperini is without several key players, including Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar, and Lorenzo Pellegrini is also absent. Roma's probable starting XI sees Daniele Ghilardi in defence, while Rodrigo Mora has a chance to start from the first minute. Roma come into the fixture on a strong run. They are unbeaten in the league after nine matchdays, with six wins and three draws, and have the second-best defence in Serie A, having conceded just eight goals. Udinese, by contrast, are looking for a turnaround after a difficult spell. A 0-0 draw with Parma ended a run of six consecutive defeats, but the Friulani have not won in seven matchdays. Their home form is the main concern, with four straight home defeats at the Bluenergy Stadium and 311 minutes without scoring in front of their own fans. Gasperini is again calling up two youngsters from the Primavera, Di Nunzio and Camara, and is backing Mora to get the better of Runjaic's side. Udinese are set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation under Runjaic, with Okoye in goal and Davis leading the line. Roma's XI is also a 3-4-2-1, with Gollini in goal, Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, and Malen up front. The head-to-head record favours Roma: in 55 meetings in Friuli, Roma have won 24, Udinese 18, with 13 draws. The most recent meeting, in January, ended 1-0 to Udinese, with the goal scored by Ekkelenkamp, and the home side have won two of their last four home games against the capital club.

Paulo Dybala's return from a right calf injury is taking longer than first hoped, after a small tear hidden by swelling was discovered. The Argentina forward did not travel to Udine and will continue individual training at Trigoria, with the aim of being called up for the Champions League clash against Manchester United. According to La Repubblica, Dybala's condition is improving, although overload persists in the calf area. Last Tuesday, during a sprint in training, he felt a new discomfort in the exact spot where he had been injured against Real Madrid on 14 October. Initial checks had raised hopes of a quick return, but later examinations revealed a small tear in the right calf, initially concealed by oedema. That discovery changed the recovery timetable and called for greater caution. The medical staff continue to monitor the situation and urge prudence, judging the trip to Manchester inadvisable. Dybala could return to the matchday squad on 7 November against Sassuolo, possibly for a cameo of around fifteen minutes. A more concrete alternative is that he returns directly after the international break, the same scenario that applies to Svilar, who is still recovering from an injury to the fifth toe of his left foot.

Roma are being urged to exploit Udinese's current form, with Nando Orsi calling the visitors the weakest Udinese side in recent years after five straight defeats. Orsi said: 'Udinese come into this on five defeats, lost deservedly: this is the worst Udinese of recent years. Roma must take advantage. I'm sorry, because Udinese are a tough side, but Roma cannot waste this game.' Roberto Pruzzo noted that Inter have not won a derby in seven matches, saying Roma could move a little closer to the top of the table. He warned that the match should not become too physical, as that could make things complicated against Udinese, and said Roma should rely on technique and quality. Pruzzo also suggested playing Niccolò Pisilli, saying: 'He adapts to everything, he has to play.' Ugo Trani expects Gasperini to rotate mainly in defence, noting that the coach can only change those players. Ghilardi and Hermoso will play for certain, as will Wesley and Cristante. Trani believes Roma will line up with two attacking midfielders today. On the transfer market, he said Njie has shots and incredible pace but lacks the head for the game, adding that Roma followed him last summer before Fiorentina signed him. He described Lang as someone who 'breaks games' open. On Endrick, Trani said Roma will try to bring him in one way or another, though Arsenal's interest would make it more complicated, while he would certainly find more space in Rome. Trani also highlighted that Balde earns 5.5 million at Barcelona, and that Roma could try in January, paying less than two million in wages for six months. He added that Roma will take two strikers regardless. On the Udinese game, he said: 'The match against Udinese is very heavy, which is why I don't trust it. I wouldn't feel comfortable even at 11 against 9... Dybala is missing in these games.'

Roma travel to Udine for Serie A matchday 10 against Udinese, with the match kicking off at 18:00 and broadcast exclusively on DAZN. Gian Piero Gasperini is without several key players, including Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné and Mile Svilar, and Lorenzo Pellegrini is also absent. Roma's probable starting XI sees Daniele Ghilardi in defence, while Rodrigo Mora has a chance to start from the first minute. Roma come into the fixture on a strong run. They are unbeaten in the league after nine matchdays, with six wins and three draws, and have the second-best defence in Serie A, having conceded just eight goals. Udinese, by contrast, are looking for a turnaround after a difficult spell. A 0-0 draw with Parma ended a run of six consecutive defeats, but the Friulani have not won in seven matchdays. Their home form is the main concern, with four straight home defeats at the Bluenergy Stadium and 311 minutes without scoring in front of their own fans. Gasperini is again calling up two youngsters from the Primavera, Di Nunzio and Camara, and is backing Mora to get the better of Runjaic's side. Udinese are set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation under Runjaic, with Okoye in goal and Davis leading the line. Roma's XI is also a 3-4-2-1, with Gollini in goal, Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, and Malen up front. The head-to-head record favours Roma: in 55 meetings in Friuli, Roma have won 24, Udinese 18, with 13 draws. The most recent meeting, in January, ended 1-0 to Udinese, with the goal scored by Ekkelenkamp, and the home side have won two of their last four home games against the capital club.

Former Roma striker Okaka has backed the Giallorossi to win the Scudetto, speaking to Sky Sport on the day Roma face Udinese. He said the team under Gian Piero Gasperini is in a strong position so early in the season, and that the club has a clear ambition. Okaka praised the club's young players, who have been scoring for Roma this season. "It's a positive aspect because young players are the future of football. At Rome they have a master like Gasperini who prepares them for the big step, and for this reason they find it easier to emerge," he said. Asked which of the two sides had surprised him more, Roma or Udinese, he named Udinese. "Certainly Udinese. I didn't expect them to be so low. Roma, on the other hand, had already built an important base last year, with a coach who created a different kind of magic. Udinese are a fantastic club, very strong, who could reach the European zone. Unfortunately, things don't always go as you imagine." He added that Udinese face a difficult match tonight against "an armada that wants to play for the title". Asked what convinces him most about Roma, Okaka pointed to the chemistry between coach, squad and fans. "Rome is not a square like the others: you must put your heart in first, then everything follows. Let's hope we all go to the Circo Massimo to celebrate." He also spoke about Donyell Malen, saying: "Beyond the qualities of the Dutchman, what strikes me is his way of playing. He has an incredible hunger, he feels the shirt he wears, he never pulls back his leg, he runs and fights. He is someone who has connected with all of Rome."

Former Roma director Walter Sabatini has continued to praise Gian Piero Gasperini's side, focusing on the spirit within the group. Sabatini said: "The spiritual cohesion is a superior factor. Roma are going through this collective state of mind." He added: "Gasperini teaches the orthodoxy of winning, he is a coach who makes you take giant strides." On the 3-3 draw in Naples, Sabatini said: "It is a tonic for Italian football. Both sides played very well." Roma open their final week before the international break in Udine, and the fixture will be followed by matches against Manchester United and Sassuolo. Gasperini does not plan to rotate and wants to field the best possible Roma side in Udine. Gollini will be confirmed in goal, while Ghilardi is named by all the newspapers among the starters in defence. The other two central defensive places remain a contest between Balerdi, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Lulli and Wesley are favoured on the flanks, while Cristante, De Roon and Pisilli rotate in midfield. Up front, Soulé and Malen are certain to start, with Pisilli and Mora in contention to complete the attack. Roma have 21 points after nine matches, the same total as after nine matchdays last season, but they have collected four more points than in the same fixtures last year. Gasperini is close to his 30th Serie A win as Roma coach and could reach it in his 48th game in charge, ahead of Spalletti (54), Capello (55) and Mourinho (59).