Roma ended Udinese’s six-game unbeaten streak this Sunday evening, overcoming Gabriele Cioffi’s side 3-1.
Chances were few and far between in the first half but the hosts took the lead after 20 minutes through Gianluca Mancini, with the defender nodding home a free kick by Paulo Dybala. Soon after Roma came close to doubling their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, but sticksman Marco Silvestri was equal to the 27-year-old’s effort.
The Giallorossi continued to push for a second after the break but couldn’t get past the Udinese defence. Florian Thauvin managed to find the equaliser for the visitors in the 57th minute, finishing off Argentine star Martin Payero’s cross.
The game saw few opportunities until the 81st minute when Paulo Dybala got Roma’s second. The hosts rounded off the scoring in added time through Stephan El Shaarawy to claim all three points. It’s a shame given Udinese’s overall positive performance, but it’s already time to think about the next match – home against Verona on Sunday 3 December.
ROMA 3-1 UDINESE (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Mancini 20 (R), Thauvin 57 (U), Dybala 81 (R), El Shaarawy 90 (R)
Roma (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Llorente, Ndicka; Karsdorp (Zalewski 77), Cristante, Paredes (Bove 77), Pellegrini (Azmoun 63), Spinazzola (El Shaarawy 63); Dybala (Kristensen 83), Lukaku.
Unused substitutes: Boer, Svilar, Belotti, Celik, Aouar, Pagano, Pisilli.
Coach: Mourinho
Udinese (3-5-1-1): Silvestri; Ferreira (Kabasele 79), Bijol, Perez; Festy, Samardzic (Lovric 69), Walace, Payero, Zemura (Kamara 82); Thauvin (Lucca 79); Success.
Unused substitutes: Okoye, Padelli, Masina, Zarraga, Aké, Tikvic, Camara, Kristensen, Pafundi.
Coach: Cioffi
Referee: MASSIMI
Assistants: ROCCA – RASPOLLINI
Fourth Official: MARCENARO
VAR: PATERNA, LONGO
Booked: Ferreira (U), Samardzic (U), Success (U), Pellegrini (R)