Three positions shifted: Gasperini's compact Roma setup against Torino with Inter in mind

Daniele Ghilardi spoke to Dazn before Roma's match against Udinese, stressing the team's focus on picking up as many points as possible. The defender said the squad is in good spirits despite a crowded fixture schedule and limited rest days. Ghilardi said: "We are very fired up. There are a lot of matches and few days of rest, but this is the calendar, we are professionals and we have to get as many points as possible." Asked about his own progress, Ghilardi pointed to the strength of the Roma defensive unit. He said: "We have many players in defence and all of them have quality. Up until the last few matches we were among the best defences, but I think we still are. I am happy with how things are going."

Roma travel to Udinese for Serie A matchday 10, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side needing to keep pace with Inter and Lazio, who sit top on 4 points more than Roma, while also keeping an eye on Como, who are just one point behind. Roma come into the fixture after beating Cagliari. Defender Lulli is set for a confirmation in the starting line-up after the win over Cagliari. Donyell Malen is ready to return from the start alongside Matías Soulé. Rodrigo Mora, decisive in the last round, is pushing for a starting shirt. Paulo Dybala remains out. On the Udinese side, Zaniolo is set for a return to his old club, ready to help the hosts climb a table that is very complicated for the Friulani. The article also covers where to watch the match on television (Sky and Dazn), the kickoff time and the current Serie A standings.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium this afternoon to face Udinese, managed by Kosta Runjaic, in the tenth round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive in Friuli unbeaten in the league and looking to build on their midweek win over Cagliari. Udinese are seeking a victory they have not managed since late August, and will try to use home advantage against a Roma side still missing several players. Gasperini will be without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala. With two hours to kick-off, the Roma coach appears set to make further changes from the Cagliari game. Ghilardi is expected to get a chance in defence, while Rodrigo Mora is the favourite to partner Soulé behind Malen in attack. Udinese's probable line-up is in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Karlström, Piotrowski, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Zaniolo; Davis. Roma are also set up 3-4-2-1: Gollini; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Udinese's substitutes are Mrozek, Padelli, Lovric, Zarraga, Bertola, Palma, Miller, Zanoli, Arizala, Unai Gomez and Chakvetadze. Roma's bench comprises Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Castro, Lulli, Mancini, Balerdi, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Camara. The referee is Maresca of Napoli, with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi L. The fourth official is Chiffi, while Paterna is the VAR and Aureliano the assistant VAR.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium this afternoon to face Udinese, managed by Kosta Runjaic, in the tenth round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive in Friuli unbeaten in the league and looking to build on their midweek win over Cagliari. Udinese are seeking a victory they have not managed since late August, and will try to use home advantage against a Roma side still missing several players. Gasperini will be without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala. With two hours to kick-off, the Roma coach appears set to make further changes from the Cagliari game. Ghilardi is expected to get a chance in defence, while Rodrigo Mora is the favourite to partner Soulé behind Malen in attack. Udinese's probable line-up is in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Karlström, Piotrowski, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Zaniolo; Davis. Roma are also set up 3-4-2-1: Gollini; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Udinese's substitutes are Mrozek, Padelli, Lovric, Zarraga, Bertola, Palma, Miller, Zanoli, Arizala, Unai Gomez and Chakvetadze. Roma's bench comprises Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Castro, Lulli, Mancini, Balerdi, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Camara. The referee is Maresca of Napoli, with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi L. The fourth official is Chiffi, while Paterna is the VAR and Aureliano the assistant VAR.

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.

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).

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium this afternoon to face Udinese, managed by Kosta Runjaic, in the tenth round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive in Friuli unbeaten in the league and looking to build on their midweek win over Cagliari. Udinese are seeking a victory they have not managed since late August, and will try to use home advantage against a Roma side still missing several players. Gasperini will be without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala. With two hours to kick-off, the Roma coach appears set to make further changes from the Cagliari game. Ghilardi is expected to get a chance in defence, while Rodrigo Mora is the favourite to partner Soulé behind Malen in attack. Udinese's probable line-up is in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Karlström, Piotrowski, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Zaniolo; Davis. Roma are also set up 3-4-2-1: Gollini; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Udinese's substitutes are Mrozek, Padelli, Lovric, Zarraga, Bertola, Palma, Miller, Zanoli, Arizala, Unai Gomez and Chakvetadze. Roma's bench comprises Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Castro, Lulli, Mancini, Balerdi, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Camara. The referee is Maresca of Napoli, with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi L. The fourth official is Chiffi, while Paterna is the VAR and Aureliano the assistant VAR.

Roma travel to Udinese for their Serie A round 10 fixture at the Bluenergy Stadium, with kickoff at 18:00. Gasperini is reportedly preparing his side around the players in the best form, and Ghilardi is expected to start in defence, while Mancini is set to begin on the bench. Lulli is expected to be confirmed at right-back, while the central defensive berth remains a contest between Hermoso and Balerdi. Up front, the Soulé, Mora and Malen trio is set to be retained, the attacking line that has given the most assurances in recent weeks. The Italian sports dailies have published their probable line-ups for the match, and several of them agree on the broad shape of the side. Gollini is in goal for every outlet, with Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli and Wesley featuring prominently in midfield and defence. Roma's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to name the side that he believes gives his team the best chance of taking maximum points from the trip north, as the club looks to avoid dropping points on the road. La Gazzetta dello Sport projects: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, De Roon, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen. Il Tempo: Gollini; Ghilardi, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Pisilli, Soulé; Malen. Il Messaggero and RomaNews EU: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. All predicted line-ups are under Gasperini.

Roma's defensive solidity has become the hallmark of Gian Piero Gasperini's side, and it is the main reason they remain among the few unbeaten teams in Serie A. Despite some scares in recent matches against Napoli and Cagliari, the numbers speak for themselves: Roma have the second-best defence in Serie A, conceding just eight goals in nine matchdays. The key, according to Il Romanista, is the depth of the back line, which can count on six reliable centre-backs ready to rotate. Leonardo Balerdi has established himself immediately, while Daniele Ghilardi is growing noticeably and has become the natural heir to Gianluca Mancini. Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka and Konstantinos Koulierakis provide continuity and security. The defence does more than protect the goal: it is also a threat going forward, as the goals from Balerdi and Hermoso and the attacking runs designed by Gasperini show. With that spirit, and with N'Dicka set to return to the heart of the defence at Udine, where he has already left good memories, Roma are ready to write another important chapter of their season.

Roma travel to Udinese for Serie A matchday 10, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side needing to keep pace with Inter and Lazio, who sit top on 4 points more than Roma, while also keeping an eye on Como, who are just one point behind. Roma come into the fixture after beating Cagliari. Defender Lulli is set for a confirmation in the starting line-up after the win over Cagliari. Donyell Malen is ready to return from the start alongside Matías Soulé. Rodrigo Mora, decisive in the last round, is pushing for a starting shirt. Paulo Dybala remains out. On the Udinese side, Zaniolo is set for a return to his old club, ready to help the hosts climb a table that is very complicated for the Friulani. The article also covers where to watch the match on television (Sky and Dazn), the kickoff time and the current Serie A standings.

Roma travel to the Bluenergy Stadium this afternoon to face Udinese, managed by Kosta Runjaic, in the tenth round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive in Friuli unbeaten in the league and looking to build on their midweek win over Cagliari. Udinese are seeking a victory they have not managed since late August, and will try to use home advantage against a Roma side still missing several players. Gasperini will be without Svilar, Koné, Pellegrini and Dybala. With two hours to kick-off, the Roma coach appears set to make further changes from the Cagliari game. Ghilardi is expected to get a chance in defence, while Rodrigo Mora is the favourite to partner Soulé behind Malen in attack. Udinese's probable line-up is in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Karlström, Piotrowski, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Zaniolo; Davis. Roma are also set up 3-4-2-1: Gollini; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Udinese's substitutes are Mrozek, Padelli, Lovric, Zarraga, Bertola, Palma, Miller, Zanoli, Arizala, Unai Gomez and Chakvetadze. Roma's bench comprises Vasquez, De Marzi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Castro, Lulli, Mancini, Balerdi, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Camara. The referee is Maresca of Napoli, with assistants Lo Cicero and Rossi L. The fourth official is Chiffi, while Paterna is the VAR and Aureliano the assistant VAR.

Nahuel Molina is set to return to the starting line-up in Serie A, with Gian Piero Gasperini choosing him to face his former club Udinese. The Argentine has made a strong start to his Roma career, with 2 assists in 375 minutes, matching the figure Celik recorded last year in 34 matches. Gasperini had preferred Emanuele Lulli in the early games, though, as the young defender has been on a clear upward trajectory. Tonight Molina will play on the flanks alongside Wesley, a set-up that puts Roma's attacking width at the heart of the plan. The fixture takes Molina back to the stadium that did more than any other to shape his football, more than four years after he last played there. His last visit came on 14 May 2022 in Udinese-Spezia, a match in which he also scored his last goal before his move to Atletico. Gasperini is hoping for a moment of that former-player magic, banking on the so-called law of the ex to deliver a goal. There is also a question of rest for Lulli ahead of the trip to Manchester, with Old Trafford the venue on Tuesday evening. The possibility that Lulli is rested is open, but the selections for the Tuesday trip to Old Trafford are still a puzzle for the coaching staff.