Sunday marks the rise of a new dawn at the Stadio Olimpico as out-of-sorts Roma take on Serie A surprise package Udinese under new manager Ivan Juric.
Koni De Winter’s last-gasp equalizer to cancel Artem Dovbyk’s Roma breakthrough in a gut-wrenching 1-1 draw at Genoa last weekend spelled the end of Daniele De Rossi’s tenure. After the club’s first four-game winless league start since 2010/11, the Giallorossi sacked the Olimpico icon.
Tasked with turning Roma’s fortunes around is former Torino boss Juric. The Croatian manager assumed the managerial reins on Wednesday. He penned a short-term contract, which will tie him to the capital until the end of the season. But he could extend his stay if he helps Roma secure a top-four finish for the first time since 2017/18.
In stark contrast to their hosts’ abysmal start, visiting Udinese have flown out of the traps under the stewardship of new tactician Kosta Runjaic. The Friulians avoided relegation to Serie B on the final day last season. Four rounds into the new campaign, and they sit at the top of the tree with ten points (W3, D1).
Udinese showed what a confident team can do on Monday. Despite slipping to a 2-0 halftime deficit against Parma, they returned from the Stadio Ennio Tardini as 3-2 victors on the back of Florian Thauvin’s second-half brace, making it three successive Serie A wins after a 1-1 day-one draw at Bologna.
It’s a remarkable feat for the perennial Serie A underachievers, not least because they sit alone at the table’s summit for the first time since October 2011. However, their position is in jeopardy, with second-placed Napoli languishing only one point adrift.
Match Preview
Roma
Scoring has emerged as Roma’s Achilles heel at the start of the season. Juric’s appointment might have sent shivers down the spines of Roma fans, given the Croatian’s notoriously defensive approach during his stint at Torino.
His football philosophy is almost a spitting image of Jose Mourinho’s style, something the Giallorossi faithful had hoped to be part of the club’s past. Despite a raft of impressive summer signings, Roma couldn’t score more than once in any of their opening four league outings.
However, it’s worth noting that just one of those four matches took place at the Olimpico. It wasn’t a memorable game, though, with Tuscan minnows Empoli toppling the former Europa Conference League winners 2-1 on matchday two.
Juric’s first task at the helm is to bring Roma back to winning ways. Yet, a dismal average of only 0.5 goals per game is perhaps a more pressing issue he must address.
Udinese
Udinese’s outstanding league start means they’ll travel with a feel-good factor. They can find more confidence in Roma’s disappointing run of one win from their last five league encounters at the Olimpico (D1, L3). While their hosts lament a barren home streak, the Friulians boast a superb traveling record.
The abovementioned triumph at Parma extended Udinese’s unbeaten run in away league games to five (W3, D2). However, their rich vein of away form is about to face a stern reality check. Indeed, the Olimpico hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Runjaic’s side by any stretch of the imagination.
Ten of Udinese’s last 11 visits to Roma’s home ground have ended in defeat (W1), with the Friulians ominously conceding 3+ goals on seven occasions. A repeat of that scenario looks unlikely, considering Udinese last capitulated more than twice on their Serie A travel in December 2023 when reigning Scudetto holders Inter trounced them 4-0.
Team News
Milan loanee Alexis Saelemaekers suffered an ankle injury against Genoa and could stay on the sidelines for at least two months. The Belgian winger has joined another summer arrival, Enzo Le Fee, in the treatment room, with the Frenchman yet to return to full fitness.
On the other hand, Udinese will take this trip without long-term absentee Gerard Deulofeu. Summer returnee Alexis Sanchez is also out of contention for the matchday squad, while Isaak Toure’s availability still hangs in the balance.
Roma vs Udinese Potential Line-ups
Roma (3-5-2): Mile Svilar; Mario Hermoso, Evan Ndicka, Mats Hummels; Gianluca Mancini, Leandro Paredes, Manu Kone, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Angelino; Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk.
Udinese (3-5-2): Maduka Okoye; Jaka Bijol, Lautaro Giannetti, Thomas Kristensen; Kingsley Ehizibue, Sandi Lovric, Jesper Karlstrom, Martin Payero, Hassane Kamara; Florian Thauvin, Lorenzo Lucca.
Roma vs Udinese Prediction
A new manager winning on his debut is a common theme in football. Juric’s arrival could put some wind in Roma’s sails. However, Udinese’s current form is not to be taken lightly despite their dreadful record in the capital.
On top of that, it may take some time for the Giallorossi to adapt to the new system. Regardless of the home side’s desperate need for three points, we can see Roma drop two more points here.
Prediction: Draw
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