On Sunday afternoon, AS Roma celebrated their first Serie A away win since April 2024. Of course, it happened in Udine.
Neither team had gained much in the way of confidence before the direct duel. Udinese lost 1-4 in Como, while Roma surprisingly lost 0-1 in Alkmaar in the Europa League. On Sunday, both teams were aiming for a turnaround.
What gave the home side hope, having lost all of their previous four Serie A encounters with the Giallorossi? Roma had not won away in the league since April 2024. However, they did manage to do so in Udine, of all places. A feat that Claudio Ranieri’s team were hoping to repeat on Sunday.
Rensch kisses the game awake
The first 25 minutes, however, were a case of forgetfulness: the hosts didn’t hide, Roma didn’t do much of anything. But suddenly the guests found space, with winter signing Rensch (from Ajax) testing debutant keeper Sava (26) before Ndicka shot just wide in the ensuing corner (27), before Pisilli headed wide on the right (30).
And suddenly the ball was in the goal – albeit in the Roma goal. After Lovric’s free-kick, Lucca made a bad touch, allowing the 2.01-meter giant to hammer the ball into the top right corner (38′). Before half-time, the Giallorossi had no answer, Dovbyk’s alleged equalizer was not counted because of a correct offside decision (45. + 5).
Foul penalty follows on hand penalty
At half-time, Ranieri brought on Shomurodov for the booked Hummels replacement Celik – the 2014 world champion was only on the bench. Shortly afterwards, Roma celebrated: Pellegrini shot Kabasele on the arm in the penalty area and confidently converted the subsequent hand penalty (50’+).
And because Udine failed to take a promising opportunity through Payero, the visitors took the lead shortly afterwards: keeper Sava brought down substitute El Shaarawy, and this time Dovbyk took responsibility and, like Pellegrini before him, scored into the right corner (64′).
For the last 25 minutes, Roma dropped deep and allowed Udine to have the ball. However, head coach Kosta Runjaic’s team didn’t know what to do with it. So it remained an important 2-1 win for the favorites, who didn’t quite lose sight of the international places. Shomurodov even missed a higher victory in injury time (90.+3).
Roma will have to step up in view of the upcoming tasks: the Europa League home game against in-form Eintracht Frankfurt will be followed by the league home game against leaders Napoli, before the Coppa Italia quarter-final at Milan.
