Runjaić says Udinese must win the duels against Roma

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to reporters before Udinese v Roma, a Serie A matchday 10 fixture at the Bluenergy Stadium, and said the club is not rushing its January transfer decisions. Asked about Endrick's prospects in the January window, D'Amico said it was difficult to think of names because the squad was short of numbers, adding: "Endrick is strong, but we are focused on what we have to do on the pitch. There will be time for the market." D'Amico also spoke about Mario Hermoso's contract. He said the club was happy with the whole squad, given the number of matches ahead and the need to widen the squad, and described Hermoso as important to the club, including during the week, and an example for the younger players. Asked about extending Hermoso's deal, D'Amico said: "We are happy to have him with us, and we will also talk about the renewal." He added that the club was also pleased with how the young players were being developed alongside Gasperini. On Paulo Dybala's fitness, D'Amico said the Argentine needed a few more days and that the club would assess him midweek. He admitted that losing an important resource during a busy run of games hurt, adding: "These things happen." Describing Udinese, he said: "Udinese are difficult to play against, physical, regardless of their league position. We need quality, and we think we can put in a good performance." Asked about comments from Massimiliano Allegri, D'Amico said: "We think about ourselves, we work hard, and the result is what you deserve on the pitch. Today will be difficult for us."

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico says there is no hurry over the transfer market or Mario Hermoso's contract renewal, while Paulo Dybala needs a few more days and will be reassessed midweek. D'Amico spoke to Dazn before Roma's match against Udinese. D'Amico said it was a source of pride to see young players featuring for the team. Roma have plenty of matches to play, and as Gasperini says, it is important to widen the squad. The club has no immediate timeline on the Spaniard's future. Dybala's absence is a blow, as it leaves Roma one fewer option at a time when the fixtures are piling up. Roma play every three days, so the squad needs depth. On Hermoso, D'Amico said: "Mario is important on Sundays but also during the week, he is an example for the young players. We will talk about the renewal at the right moment." On Dybala, he said: "Today we face a strong and physical team. They are difficult to play against. We are convinced we will put in a good performance. Dybala needs a few more days, we will see midweek. It is a pity because we will be a player short, and there are a lot of matches." Asked about comments from Allegri, D'Amico said: "We are focused on ourselves. We think about working, and the final result of every championship is what a team deserves on the pitch. We think about ourselves." On reported interest in Endrick, he said: "Today it is hard to think about names. There is a long way to go. Endrick is strong, but we are focused on what we have to do on the pitch. We play every three days, there will be time."

Roma sporting director D'Amico spoke ahead of the Udinese match, the tenth round of Serie A, with the headline point that Paulo Dybala needs a few more days before returning to training. Dybala will be assessed mid-week, and D'Amico said losing a player is a blow for the coach given the number of matches, but that such things happen. On the squad, D'Amico praised the progress of the young players, saying: "We are happy with how all the boys are growing. We have a lot of matches and it is important to widen the squad." Roma face Udinese with a fixture list that is demanding, and the sporting director stressed the need for depth. On Mario Hermoso's contract, he said: "Mario is an important player for us, not only on Sundays but also during the week. He is an example especially for the young players, so we are happy to have him with us, and at the right moment we will deal with the renewal." Looking at the match itself, D'Amico described Udinese as a difficult side to face, physical and possibly content to play with a low block, regardless of their league position. He said Roma would need a bit of quality to break them down and added: "We are convinced we can put in a good performance." Asked about comments from Allegri about Roma, D'Amico replied: "We are focused on ourselves. We are used to working hard and in the end the result is what you deserve on the pitch. We think about ourselves because today will be a difficult match." Finally, asked about interest in Endrick for January, D'Amico said: "Today it is difficult to talk about names, there is still a long way to go. Endrick is a strong player, but today we are focused on what we need to do on the pitch because we play every three days. There will be time for the transfer market."