The match on Sunday afternoon at the Stadio Olimpico will be the 101st encounter between Roma and Udinese, with the Giallorossi having the upper hand overall. Roma have come out on top 53 times in Serie A, while there have been 24 draws and 23 Udinese wins. Roma also triumphed in the last two meetings, winning 2-1 at Bluenergy Stadium on 25 April and 3-1 at the Olimpico on 26 November.
Udinese head into the match, however, with greater momentum at the start of the season. Kosta Runjaic’s men have matched the best start in the club’s history, reaching ten points from a possible 12, just like in the 2000/01 season (with Luigi De Canio in charge) and enter the matchday as league leaders for the first time since Week 8 of the 2011/12 season (under Francesco Guidolin). Udinese’s good form, which has continued from the end of last season, is also highlighted by five wins in their last seven Serie A matches, equalling the total number of wins in their previous 42 games.
Much of Udinese’s success so far comes from their attacking efficiency. Six of their seven goals have come from forwards and Runjaic’s side boasts the best conversion rate from inside the box in Serie A (25%). The wide players have also been crucial to the 10-point tally, contributing four goals from crosses (a Serie A record tied with Atalanta and an outright record for crosses from open play) and a successful cross rate of 34% (third-best in the division).
Overall, Udinese rank second for shooting accuracy (23%) and third for big chances converted (63%) in Serie A. They also hold the fourth-best positive difference between expected goals and goals scored, with a +1.5 margin. Most of their goals have come in the second half (five out of seven, the second-best in Serie A), and it is no surprise that the Friulians are tied with Lazio for the most points gained from losing positions (four).
The star of Udinese’s strong start has undoubtedly been Florian Thauvin. The Frenchman has earned Udinese six points – more than any other player for their team in Serie A – through his goals and assists. He has equalled his best-ever start to the season in terms of goal involvements, with four, the same as in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns at Marseille. After the Parma match, the Udinese captain also maintained his lead in Serie A for completed dribbles (10) and in Sunday’s match, he will reach the milestone of 50 appearances for Udinese, becoming the second French forward to do so after Cyril Thereau.
Thauvin scored his first Serie A goal in open play against Roma in the first showdown between the sides last season, while Sandi Lovric’s goal against Roma in the 4-0 win at Bluenergy Stadium on 4 September 2022 was his maiden Serie A goal. On the opposite side, Udinese will face their nemesis: Paulo Dybala. The Argentine has been directly involved in 20 goals in 20 games against Udinese, more than against any other team.
Coach Runjaic heads to the Olimpico with the best start for an Udinese coach after four Serie A matches, equalling Giovanni Galeone’s record in 2005/06, although the Italian went on to draw his fifth game. Alongside Galeone and Enzo Ferrari, Runjaic is the third Udinese coach to remain unbeaten in his first four Serie A games. The German coach has so far revitalised several players in the Udinese squad, including Kingsley Ehizibue. The Dutch winger is leading the way in the team in terms of successful tackles, ball recoveries and chances created.