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Roma face Udinese in Halloween trap game as Gasperini's side chase Inter and Lazio
·31 October 2026·2h ago

Roma face Udinese in Halloween trap game as Gasperini's side chase Inter and Lazio

Source: GialloRossi.net

Roma travel to Udine this evening, Halloween, for a 6pm kickoff against an Udinese side in deep crisis, with Gian Piero Gasperini's team looking to close the gap at the top of Serie A. The match comes in the middle of a demanding run that sees Roma head to Manchester on Tuesday for the Champions League.

Udinese have collected just five points from their first nine matches, the club's worst start in the three-points-for-a-win era, and coach Kosta Runjaic's position is under growing pressure. On paper Roma are clear favourites, but the article warns not to underestimate a side desperate for results. Inter and Lazio lead the table, four points ahead of the Giallorossi, and Milan's derby is also being played tonight. A win in Udine would put pressure on the leaders and extend a run that, in Serie A, has yet to suffer a defeat.

Udinese's home record is poor, particularly at the Bluenergy Stadium: one point from five home games, two goals scored and nine conceded. Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Parma did at least end a run of six consecutive defeats. Runjaic's side still have weapons that could trouble Roma, starting with their physicality, intensity in duels and ability to win second balls. The last meeting in Friuli, won 1-0 by the Bianconeri with a goal from Ekkelenkamp, is a warning Gasperini knows well. Roma's recent win over Cagliari was tougher than it should have been, with tiredness and some defensive lapses nearly costing them, before Lulli and Mora's contributions secured the points.

Gasperini will again be without Svilar, Dybala, Koné and Pellegrini. Gollini is set to keep his place in goal, while Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso are pushing for selection in defence. De Roon may be rested, with Cristante and Pisilli favoured in midfield. Up front, Mora is aiming for a starting place alongside Soulé, behind Malen. Around 5,000 Roma fans are expected to travel to Friuli. The article notes that the temptation to rest players for Old Trafford exists, but Gasperini cannot afford to drop points in Serie A while thinking about Europe.

The match is presented as a test of a side that wants to stay among the top places in the table. Against the big teams motivation comes almost naturally, the article says, while against teams fighting relegation concentration, patience and the ability to impose themselves when energy runs low are required. As the article puts it, Manchester can wait; first comes Udine.

● AI Generated Summary

This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.

Story Coverage3 sources on this story

Udinese host Roma at the Bluenergy Stadium on Saturday 31 October, Halloween, in Serie A matchday 10, with kickoff at 18:00. All three outlets agree that Gian Piero Gasperini's side are clear favourites against a Udinese team in crisis, with five points from nine games and coach Kosta Runjaic under growing pressure. Roma are without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala, and Gollini keeps his place in goal. GialloRossi.net reports that Roma, third on 21 points after a 4-2 win over Cagliari, trail Inter and Lazio by four points. Roma News describes the match as an afternoon fixture, while GialloRossi.net gives it as an evening game.

Udinese's home form is poor: GialloRossi.net says they have taken one point from five home games, scoring twice and conceding nine. Their 0-0 draw at Parma ended six straight defeats, but they have not scored in three matches. Runjaic is missing Solet, Bayo, Zanoli, Alaba and Gueye, with Okoye expected in goal and Davis leading the attack. Both sides are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1. For Roma, Ghilardi, Balerdi and Hermoso are favoured in defence, Lulli and Wesley are set to play on the flanks, and Soulé, Mora and Malen are confirmed up front.

Bookmakers make Roma around 60% favourites, pricing Udinese between 5.50 and 5.70, a draw between 4.20 and 4.50, and a Roma win between 1.52 and 1.57. The match is broadcast exclusively on DAZN. Fabio Maresca of Napoli referees. GialloRossi.net notes the temptation to rest players before the Champions League trip to Manchester on Tuesday, but argues that Gasperini cannot afford to drop points.

AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.

Testo Originale / Source Text

“Un’occasione da non perdere nella notte di Halloween, ma anche una trappola da evitare. La Roma di Gian Piero Gasperini fa tappa a Udine oggi alle 18, nel pieno di un tour de force che martedì la porterà a Manchester per la Champions League. Di fronte troverà un’Udinese in piena crisi, ma proprio…”

Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.

Read original on GialloRossi.net →

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Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium to face Udinese today, the last match before the international break, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side aiming to keep their winning run going despite a heavy injury list. Roma then fly to Manchester for their Champions League clash at Old Trafford and close the cycle at the Olimpico against Sassuolo. According to Corriere della Sera, Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala are all absent, yet Gasperini's team approach the fixture with confidence. Roma have already collected four more points than at this stage last season against the same opponents, and the side are showing clear progress. Around 5,000 fans will travel to Friuli to back the team. Gasperini can also reach a notable landmark: becoming the fastest coach in Roma history to reach 30 Serie A wins, ahead of Spalletti, Capello and Mourinho. The coach is expected to rely on his core players and rotate the squad. Ghilardi and Hermoso are set to start either side of N'Dicka, with Wesley on the flanks and Soulé and Mora operating behind Donyell Malen, the team's main focal point up front.

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Radio pundits across Rome's airwaves have made Roma's home clash with Udinese a must-win fixture, with several arguing that a victory would allow the club to push on in a manageable run of fixtures. Carina, speaking on Radio Radio, said: "On paper it is a round that should help the two Roman clubs. I am convinced Milan can win this derby. Udinese are a big unknown: last year Roma played a bad game, and if Udinese manage to produce a match like that, Roma can run into difficulties. Malen is incredible: he scores a goal a game. Roma were "Svilar-dependent", this year that is not the case, they score a lot. It is a more "Gasperinian" side than last year's and it is bearing fruit. What surprises me is not so much the play as the number of injuries. It would surprise me to see De Roon start, because against Cagliari he seemed tired to me. It seems to me a game to play with two behind Malen. This is a game Roma must win: if they win today, they have an affordable schedule and can push on emphatically." Sabatini, also on Radio Radio, said Udinese are going through a negative period. "Seeing them rack up five or six defeats seems an anomaly to me for a side that is not destined for last place. Roma have every chance of winning, but beware: Udinese can wake up." Pruzzo, on the same station, said Roma's game is within reach and could help them move closer to the top, noting that Inter have not won the derby in seven matches. He added that Pisilli adapts to anything and must play, and that the team seems capable of a less physical game: "If you get into a physical battle with them it can become complicated. You have to focus on technique and quality." Orsi, also on Radio Radio, said: "Udinese come off five defeats, and they lost them deservedly: this is the worst Udinese of recent years. Roma must take advantage. I am sorry, because Udinese are a tough side, but Roma cannot waste this match."

Gasperini names Malen, Soulé and Mora up front for Udinese clash as injuries bite
Match ReportInjury● AI
2h ago

Gasperini names Malen, Soulé and Mora up front for Udinese clash as injuries bite

Roma head to Udinese today, 31 October, at the Bluenergy Stadium with Gian Piero Gasperini relying on a front three of Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. The fixture comes before Roma's Champions League trip to Manchester and their match against Sassuolo, and the squad faces the run without its most important players returning from injury. As La Repubblica reports, while the team is in Friuli fighting to hold its place in the top positions of the table, the group left in Trigoria is reduced by a long list of injuries. The medical staff has chosen caution. Paulo Dybala, who stayed in Rome for a personalised programme, is targeting the trip to Old Trafford, but a calf problem demands care. A return from the bench against Sassuolo, or directly after the international break, is considered more realistic, a situation similar to that of goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Without its most experienced men but with a solid squad, Gasperini has entrusted the attack to the trio of Malen, Soulé and Mora, who are charged with leading Roma through this delicate stage of the season. The match is one of several close-together fixtures in a demanding run, with the club continuing to juggle its selection while the infirmary remains full.

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