Roma radio pundits split over Endrick, Dybala and the Udinese test

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.'

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."

Former Roma striker Abel Balbo believes Gian Piero Gasperini's side can mount a serious challenge for the Serie A title, while identifying Inter as the main rival. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Argentine, who also played for Udinese, gave the current squad a strong endorsement but drew a firm line when comparisons with the club's 2001 champions were raised. Balbo said Roma have a solid group of players and praised the coach's influence. "Roma are strong, really strong. They have a solid group, made up of players with balls. Gasp gets the best out of them, they would throw themselves into the fire for him." Asked whether Roma can win the Scudetto, he answered: "Yes, although they will battle with Inter, who at the moment are better equipped both in their starting XI and in their reserves. Roma will play the role of the antagonist until the end. If the Nerazzurri slip up, Roma must be there ready to take advantage." He was far more cautious on comparisons with the 2001 title-winning side. "No... go easy on the comparisons. That team was a different thing. We had champions in every department. I was the fourth striker and in front of me I had Batistuta, Totti and Montella. We could only win." Balbo credited the title to the club's then president. "The merit for that victory belongs to Franco Sensi, an enlightened president. There are no longer men like him in football..." Balbo also looked back fondly on his time in Rome, describing the move from Udine as moving from a small town of 100,000 people to a city of millions. "Everything changes. In giallorosso I lived spectacular years, especially with Mazzone on the bench. For me Carletto was like a father."

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's Primavera side scored twice away at Inter in a Primavera 1 ninth-round fixture, with Basile giving them the lead in the 33rd minute and Arena doubling it in the 59th. The Friday early kickoff at 18:00 at the league leaders was the Primavera 1 match of the week. Roma come into the game fifth in the table with 13 points, five behind Inter, who top the standings. They were held 2-2 at home by Genoa last Saturday. Coach Mattia Scala set Roma up in a 3-5-2, with Marchetti and Cama on the flanks and Paratici and Arena paired up front. Inter lined up in a 4-3-3 under Emiliano Bigica, with Breda booked for the home side. Roma's starting XI was Kilvinger; Bonifazi, Terlizzi, Basile; Marchetti, Giammattei, Ballarin, Cama; Maccaroni, Paratici, Arena. Terlizzi was replaced by Paul in the 69th minute, Giammattei by Arduini in the 66th, Paratici by Romero Corredera in the 69th, Ballarin by Forni in the 80th and Maccaroni by Loreti in the 80th. Basile and Terlizzi were also booked for Roma, as was Cama. Goals: 33' Basile (R), 59' Arena (R).

Nicolò Zaniolo returns to face his former club Roma on Sunday, in a fixture the Italian press has already framed as a reunion between a player and a fanbase that feels betrayed. The 1999-born midfielder, who once looked set to become a Roma flag-bearer, now plays for Udinese, and more than 5,000 supporters are expected at the Dacia Arena to treat him as a sporting enemy. The relationship soured over several years. Zaniolo arrived in the capital as a complete unknown and quickly showed his quality, with goals, assists and classy touches, including the goal in Tirana that will remain in the club's history. Two anterior cruciate ligament ruptures tested the patience of supporters who had backed him through hard times. The break came in winter 2023, when a stormy departure was followed by a move to Galatasaray, a few months before the painful Budapest final. Along the way, Mourinho stopped defending him, saying: "non ha voglia di lottare" (he doesn't want to fight). Zaniolo had also rejected Bournemouth before joining Galatasaray. His career has not taken off since. He disappointed at Aston Villa in the Premier League, and Gasperini tried to revive him without success before he rediscovered his smile at Udinese. Further clashes with Roma fans followed. In 2024, while playing for Atalanta, he scored at the Olimpico, took off his shirt and celebrated wildly, drawing a storm of whistles and an irreparable rift. Last year the stadium also gave him an unwelcoming reception, and Hermoso was the one who kept him in check. The Spaniard could once again be the key to stopping the player, who is ready to challenge his past once more. Zaniolo has apologised in recent months, but his words have not been heard. The Italian press has suggested the match could be headlined "C'eravamo tanto amati" (we loved each other so much).

Around 10,000 Roma supporters are set to fill the away sections in Udine and Manchester this week. Some 5,000 are expected at the Dacia Arena for tomorrow's match, and around 3,000 at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Many have already bought flights for England and will travel without tickets to soak up the Champions League atmosphere, which supporters are calling a real invasion. The travelling numbers reflect the strength of Roma's support, with away sectors regularly selling out. Fans will be present both in the curva and in the stands, thanks to the friendship linking the two supporters' groups. The trips come as the Giallorossi prepare for their Champions League fixtures in the coming days. Before the international break, Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, and another sell-out crowd is expected there. The home match follows the Olimpico's usual pre-match tradition, where the club's fans sing Marco Conidi's famous anthem "Mai sola mai" before kickoff.

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.

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.'

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.