Roma fans sell out away end for Udinese clash at Dacia Arena

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico in a midweek fixture, with the chance to stay close to the top of the table and hope for slip-ups from their rivals. Gian Piero Gasperini's side come into the match after a 1-1 draw...

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico in the ninth round of Serie A, with more than 60,000 fans expected to pack the stadium to push Gasperini's side to victory. The club has published its usual information for supporters attending the match. The game comes just three days after Roma drew 0-0... [placeholder removed]

Roma return to action at the Stadio Olimpico against Cagliari, looking to take three points to stay in touch with Inter and Lazio after their draw at Napoli. The club has issued fan information ahead of the match. The Olimpico gates will open at 18:45. The club advises fans to arrive at least 90 minutes before kick-off to enjoy every moment and avoid crowds at the turnstiles. From 18:45 until kick-off, fans can go to box 4 on via Nigra for any necessities. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45, and more than 60,000 spectators are expected in the stands, ready to push the team on. The club said: "The gates of the Olimpico will open at 18:45*. The advice is to arrive at least 90 minutes before kick-off to enjoy every moment and avoid crowds at the turnstiles. From 18:45, and until kick-off, you can go to box 4 on via Nigra for any necessity. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45. Over 60,000 spectators are expected in the stands, ready to push the team on."

Matías Soulé was the standout performer as Roma beat Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, scoring his third Serie A goal of the season. The Argentine forward carried the side on his shoulders, and the strike is considered one of the finest he has scored since joining the club. Soulé scored the same number of league goals at this stage last season, but this season he looks like a different player: more of a leader, and not missing Paulo Dybala's absence. Sofascore's data underline his all-round display: four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, eight duels won, four successful dribbles and the same number of ball recoveries. He was valuable both in attack and in defensive work. This summer Soulé came close to leaving the club. Arab clubs knocked on the door, but he never wanted to leave Roma and chose to stay in football's biggest arena. It is an understandable decision for a 23-year-old. Next up is Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is again expected to lead the line. Dybala is improving and will be called up, but he is expected to return from the first minute against Udinese. Soulé is ready to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. The groin problem (pubalgia) that held him back last year is no longer an issue, and he has also earned a place in the Argentina national team.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has suffered a high-grade, third-degree tear at the distal musculotendinous junction of the semitendinosus in his right thigh, and will be out for at least three months, probably longer. The injury was sustained in the second half against Slovan, and surgery is now being considered. Roma are preparing for Napoli at the Maradona with a serious lack of options. The diagnosis is a terrible one for a footballer, among the worst muscular injuries. The problem lies not in the muscle belly, which heals faster thanks to its rich blood supply, but at the point where the muscle joins the tendon close to the knee. It is the second consecutive operation Pellegrini faces. He signed a one-year contract in the summer, and this is probably his last at the club given the many physical problems of recent years. Last summer he missed the entire pre-season and returned to the pitch just twelve days ago against Como, playing three short spells before the new injury struck. The injury is a blow for Gasperini, who for at least the next three games must also do without Dybala, as well as Koné and Svilar. With the Maradona clash tomorrow, Roma face a full emergency and forced choices. Bryan Cristante could return in the closing stages, provided he is in acceptable condition to start from the first minute after knee inflammation. In a clash between veteran coaches, with Allegri on 325 Serie A wins and Gasperini on 300, there could also be room for some Primavera players such as Di Nunzio and Arena, at least on the bench.

Donyell Malen scored again on Tuesday evening against Slovan Bratislava, converting a penalty in an easy win for Roma. The Dutch forward, known as 'Bobby', has now scored 24 goals in 29 appearances since arriving in January. The article notes that he was the subject of doubts from some fans, who had been hoping for Zirkzee, and others who were frustrated by the failure to sign Raspadori. In Italy, Malen is regarded by many as a top striker, and in Europe he keeps company with players of the calibre of Mbappé, Haaland, Yamal and Raphinha, with Kane considered unreachable at the top. Stefano Carina, writing in Il Messaggero, said that former Italy coach Fabio Capello had described the Bundesliga, where Kane plays, as a league that is "poco allenante" (not very demanding). Malen is also refining other aspects of his game, including dropping deep to meet the ball carrier, cleaning up passes and creating space for team-mates to run into. Against Slovan Bratislava he set up Pellegrini twice, Mora once and Wesley once. With Dybala absent, Malen will need to rebuild his understanding with Soulé, and the weight of the attack rests heavily on his shoulders. Antonio Arena's teammate Santiago Castro can also wait his turn, with Malen described as ready for the challenge.