Udinese and Roma are set to play their 100th match against each other in Serie A. Although the Zebrette’s record against the Giallorossi stands at an underwhelming 23 wins, 24 draws and 52 defeats, the last match in Friuli ended 4-0 to the hosts. On 4 September 2022, goals from Destiny Udogie, Lazar Samardzic, Roberto Pereyra and Sandi Lovric gave Udinese a memorable win. It wasn’t by fluke, either – since the beginning of last season Udinese have won five of their 19 matches against top five sides, which is one more victory than the previous six campaigns combined (four wins in 56 matches).
Crosses will be an important weapon for both teams. Only Inter (18) have scored more goals with an assist coming from a cross than Roma (12), and Udinese have scored 30% of their goals (9/30) in this way, a rate lower only than Torino's (35%, 11/31). Tucu Pereyra can take a certain amount of credit for this – the Argentine has scored three times, provided three assists and supplied 11 crosses so far this season. If he features against the Giallorossi then Tucu will be making his 200th Serie A appearance for Udinese.
Lorenzo Lucca, who thrives on good service, will be back from a one-match ban. The centre forward is the top-scoring Italian (seven goals) among players born in the 2000s. Since the start of last season, Lazar Samardzic is one of only four players born in this millennium to have scored five or more goals from outside the area in the top European leagues, behind only Juventus player Dusan Vlahovic (six).
Lorenzo Lucca, who thrives on good service, will be back from a one-match ban. The centre forward is the top-scoring Italian (seven goals) among players born in the 2000s. Since the start of last season, Lazar Samardzic is one of only four players born in this millennium to have scored five or more goals from outside the area in the top European leagues, behind only Juventus player Dusan Vlahovic (six).
Udinese’s defensive record is strong: Jaka Bijol sits second in the Serie A rankings for percentage of aerial duels won among players who have been involved in at least 50 (77%, 65/84). No player has won more tackles than Nehuen Perez (38, the same record as Fiorentina player Lucas Martinez Quarta).