Chiesa Di Totti - Serie A, Matchday 3: Udinese vs. RomaCautiously Optimistic Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48469/totti-fave.png2020-10-04T20:00:00+02:00http://www.chiesaditotti.com/rss/stream/212628172020-10-04T20:00:00+02:002020-10-04T20:00:00+02:00Sinners & Saints: Udinese 0, Roma 1
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<img alt="Udinese Calcio v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kvWtn8hQZPWSID9rWdg-uzJ8qmA=/0x0:3684x2456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67579571/1278302630.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Young Roger Ibañez leads the pack after Roma's first victory of the season.</p> <p id="n7FbJq">Roma's first victory of the new season wasn't one for the record books, nor was it a tactical masterpiece, but it was a victory nonetheless. With chances hard to come by and their shooting as erratic as ever, the Giallorossi certainly tempted fate against Udinese yesterday, but thanks to some practically flawless defending and one well-timed interception, Paulo Fonseca's crew emerged victorious last night at the Dacia Arena in Udine.</p>
<aside id="qLSaMt"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data="{"stories":[{"title":"Highlights of Roma's 1-0 Victory Over Udinese","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/4/21500376/udinese-0-roma-1-match-highlights"},{"title":"Pedro's First Goal Gives Roma Narrow Victory Over Udinese","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/3/21500233/udinese-0-roma-1-match-review"}]}"></div></aside><p id="ik3Nwf">Despite the lack of chances and fluidity in attack, our post-match rundown will have far more saints than sinners, so let's dispense with the negatives first, shall we?</p>
<h2 id="yCRO1t">The Sinners</h2>
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<img alt="Udinese Calcio v AS Roma - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mNHfijNvE1AI2g2lri_tPdJFOfk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21934826/1278309975.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images</cite>
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<h3 id="PrsfzG">Edin Dzeko</h3>
<p id="Bz3C2u">At this point, I feel like I should just copy and paste my usual preamble whenever we critique Roma's 34-year-old striker. <em>Dzeko is the club's fourth all-time...yadda, yadda, yadda but...yadda, yadda, yadda. </em>I don't mean to be glib towards Dzeko (or my writing, I guess) but what else can we say at this point? We know what Dzeko does well and we know where he struggles; nothing has changed nor will it.</p>
<p id="tX5INx">Dzeko played all but one minute yesterday, and apart from creating one chance and doing well to settle Roger Ibañez long ball with his chest, he was pretty derelict in his duties. In 93 minutes, Dzeko was sloppy with his passes (only 60% completion), wasteful with his shots (two taken, none on target) and careless with the ball (seven unsustainable touches). </p>
<p id="bzLxsX">And then there's the facets of his game we can't measure with stats: the degree to which he slows down Roma's attack. With Pedro and Henrikh Mkhitaryan going full tilt the minute they touch the ball in the final third, Dzeko either looks a step too slow or unsure of how to work with his fellow forwards. He's like a Great Dane at a dog park surrounded by Pomeranians; it's funny to watch them chase the tennis ball together, but you can't help but think the Great Dane would be better off with dogs his own size. </p>
<p id="uMQqpv">Dzeko will have better days than this, there will be no shortage of moments when we sing his praises, but right now he seems out of sorts in Fonseca's attack.</p>
<h2 id="AQnmuE">The Saints</h2>
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<img alt="Udinese Calcio v AS Roma - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LUbP083dbNHaL9H8OcNSiVnNrrI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21934836/1278302630.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images</cite>
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<h3 id="FgqLMq">Roger Ibañez</h3>
<p id="9sw9dP">Roma's 21-year-old center back was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch yesterday. In 90 minutes, the new Marquinhos was a one man wrecking crew for Roma, taking a match high 99 touches, completing 87% of his passes, creating one big chance (to Dzeko), and hitting on four of eight long-balls. Defensively speaking, Ibañez was equally impressive, clearing four balls, picking off six passes, completing five tackles (including one last-man tackle), winning eight of eleven ground duels and three of five aerial duels. </p>
<p id="xaYZPC">In a word, Ibañez was magnificent. His future is <em>incredibly </em>bright. Roma will likely struggle to keep him beyond this season. </p>
<h3 id="axOzSQ">Marash Kumbulla</h3>
<p id="htzHvi">While he wasn't quite as great as Ibañez last night, Roma's big summer acquisition was no slouch in his second Roma appearance. In 90 minutes, Kumbulla took 75 touches and completed 91% of his passes, including two of three long balls. He didn't match Ibañez's all around game yesterday, but he absolutely smothered <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese's</a> forwards last night, picking off three passes, clearing five balls and winning four aerials. Kumbulla was exactly as advertised against Udinese: smooth, intuitive and incredibly polished.</p>
<h3 id="ebWimy">Gianluca Mancini</h3>
<p id="o6SgNg">The eldest member of the Pau Patrol was pretty impressive in yesterday's 1-0 victory, completing 88% of his passes (including 3-5 on long-balls), clearing seven balls, intercepting two passes, blocking one shot and winning two aerial duels. He's likely in danger of being overshadowed by his two younger teammates, but Mancini was steady as she goes yesterday.</p>
<h3 id="pbQswU">Pedro</h3>
<p id="h8CLjM">Roma's lone goal scorer covered 10 kilometers on the pitch last night, averaging a 7.6 km/h pace. In addition to covering all that ground, Pedro put two of three shots on target, completed 80% of his passes (including two long balls), set up one shot, pulled off two successful dribbles and drew four fouls in addition to his cracking goal in the second half. Roma's free agent signing is off to a hot start in his new home.</p>
<h3 id="orkg62"><span>Antonio Mirante</span></h3>
<p id="lZvx21">We'll end the list with Roma's surprise starter in goal. In his third consecutive start, Mirante turned in arguably his finest performance in a Roma shirt, completing 84% of his passes (including 62% of his long balls) while making four saves (including two in quick succession) and one successful run-out while keeping his first clean sheet of the season. </p>
<p id="gHmskn">There have been whispers that Pau Lopez might resume his position after the break, so good on Mirante for turning in <em>this </em>performance before the international break; he should give Fonseca pause before entertaining another change in goal. </p>
<p id="tyoMGP">A win is a win and Roma had enough positive performances to head into the international break smiling. </p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/4/21500506/udinese-0-roma-1-player-ratingsbren2020-10-03T22:58:01+02:002020-10-03T22:58:01+02:00Pedro's First Goal Gives Roma Narrow Victory Over Udinese
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<img alt="Udinese Calcio v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iNXxo7X7hlkou2oE7VT1cJkvNlk=/93x0:3000x1938/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67576729/1278306247.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It was a tighter match than we expected, but Pedro's debut goal was all that mattered in the end. </p> <p id="NbKqev">Roma's round three fixture away to Udinese seemed like a gimme match for a Giallorossi side desperately seeking their first victory of the season. With nearly a full squad at his disposal, Paulo Fonseca was finally blessed with some lineup continuity and seemed to have all the pieces in place to topple an Udinese side that has been leaking goals in this young season.</p>
<p id="ihTwu0">But that's the thing about “gimme” matches against so called lesser sides, they can quickly turn into trap games before you know it. While Udinese were content to cede possession and control for large swaths of the match to Roma, the same old ghosts continued to haunt the Giallorossi in this match: creativity and conversion.</p>
<p id="mSrhqt">While Roma did well in transition, countering in the blink of an eye through Jordan Veretout's tireless and incisive running and Pedro and Henrikh Mkhitaryan's quick link-up play in the final third, they were quite often frustrated by <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese's</a> low block defense, which was more than happy to sit back and let Pedro, Veretout and Lorenzo Pellegrini pass horizontally to their heart's content.</p>
<p id="4IR2Yx">And with so few opportunities in the run of play, Roma had no choice but to rely on long-balls over the top and the occasional counter-attacking opportunity. Roma's best chance in the first half saw Roger Ibañez spring Edin Dzeko into a one-v-one with the keeper, teeing up a ball from well beyond midfield. Dzeko did well to settle the ball and shield himself from the last defender, but the quality of his attempt wasn't exactly commensurate with Ibañez's would-be assist, as Dzeko skied his shot well over the cross bar.</p>
<p id="4BhBgi">And as is so often the case when Roma are missing chances, their opponents were more than willing to take advantage at the other end. In the final 10 minutes of the first half, Udinese had two or three clear cut chances at goal, with Rodrigo De Paul setting up two chances with crosses into the area, but Udine's best chance saw Kevin Lasagna receive the ball in space with only <span>Antonio Mirante</span> to beat. With Mirante holding firm in his position and Ibañez charging in from behind, Lasagna seemed to lose his nerve, firing it straight at Mirante, while <span>Roberto Pereyra's</span> follow up effort looped just wide of the far post.</p>
<p id="kaPO5Q">For a supposed gimme match, the first half was incredibly tight, as even with only <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> of the possession, Udinese created the half's most dangerous chances and were incredibly unlucky to grab a lead.</p>
<h2 id="T4g905">Second Half</h2>
<p id="Mna37h">While there were some nervy moments to start the half—Roma <em>still </em>struggled to find a crack in Udinese's low block—they benefitted from some good fortune ten minutes into the half when Pedro found the back of the net for the first time in a Roma shirt.</p>
<h3 id="Lamsfw">Pedro: 55th Minute (Udinese 0, Roma 1)</h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">PEDRO <br><br>His spectacular strike gives Roma the lead! <a href="https://t.co/Rk7swv4RWW">pic.twitter.com/Rk7swv4RWW</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1312487153524326400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2020</a>
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<p id="Mey9qm">I'm not sure exactly what Udinese were trying to do here, but Pedro was Johnny on the spot, basically receiving the ball straight from Udinese. Gaffe or no gaffe, full marks to Pedro for that effort, he drilled it directly into the right post, pinging it off the edge of the frame and into the back of the net. It wasn't exactly how Fonseca drew it up, but it was a sorely needed goal from the boys in red. </p>
<p id="kEoYio">Roma almost grabbed another one moments later when Dzeko laid a ball off at the edge of the box for Mkhitaryan, but Micki was a bit too anxious, jumping offside by a hair's breadth. Despite the disallowed goal, Roma were finally playing with a purpose.</p>
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<img alt="Udinese Calcio v AS Roma - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yPH8IyPLe-I2mrMlcLcjyEGaGBQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21934510/1278306349.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="NJdlD8">Udinese would counter with a chance of their own about ten minutes later, forcing Antonio Mirante into a double save at the edge of the six-yard box. With Lasagna slipping behind the defense after a great flicked ball into the area, Mirante was forced to come off his line to deny Lasanga, only to see Fernando Forestieri follow up Lasagna's effort almost immediately, forcing the already splayed out Mirante to make a scrambling save on his hands and knees. </p>
<p id="YwZFd7">Udinese would continue to press for an equalizer with <span>Stefano Okaka</span> and Nahuel Molina each forcing Mirante into saves. Roma were still winning the possession battle, but Udinese were pressing higher and higher up the pitch searching for a goal and may have had one were it not for Okaka's errant shot and Mirante's reflex save on Molina's snap shot.</p>
<p id="DfJrK6">With 15 minutes remaining in the match, Udinese shifted to a decidedly all-out attacking approach, pressing Roma's defenders the moment they tried to clear the ball or start any semblance of a counter attack. </p>
<p id="FIPsZL">Fonseca would make a double change in the 84th minute, bringing on Bryan Cristante and Justin Kluivert for Pellegrini and Pedro, respectively. With six minutes remaining, Roma seemed intent on running out the clock rather than putting the match to bed with a second goal.</p>
<p id="zFUbba">Udinese would counter by bringing on nearly every forward they had at their disposal but Roma managed to withstand the late barrage to secure their first victory of the season.</p>
<h2 id="CFKrCx">Final Thoughts</h2>
<p id="GkuvSY">Well, we sort of just said it all, didn't we? Roma got their first win of the season today and that's ultimately all that matters...<em>but</em>...having said that, this match could have <em>easily </em>gone Udinese's way. The home side managed 12 shots on goal with 50% going on target while only three of Roma's 13 attempts hit the mark, none more egregious than Dzeko's first half miss. Couple that with the fact that Roma's only goal came via an ugly Udinese turnover and Paulo Fonseca may still have trouble getting a good night's sleep.</p>
<p id="hHkUpM">As we so often say, a win is a win is a win. And Roma needed this one desperately, but they are far from a finished product at the moment and look particularly poor through the middle of the park; something definitely seems amiss between Pellegrini, Pedro, Mkhitaryan and Dzeko. Veretout does a magnificent job running Roma's transition between defense and attack, but the rest of Roma's attacking unit still seem like they're lacking chemistry and, in some instances, seem uncertain of their respective roles.</p>
<p id="S0ig6U">Fortunately, Fonseca now has two weeks to sort this out before the club hosts Benevento after the break. And nitpicking aside, Roma got exactly what they needed today: three undisputed points.</p>
<h2 id="o4EXos">Up Next</h2>
<p id="nvOZpI">The international break followed by a home match against Benevento on the 18th. </p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/3/21500233/udinese-0-roma-1-match-reviewbren2020-10-03T19:46:24+02:002020-10-03T19:46:24+02:00Udinese vs. Roma: Lineups & Game Thread
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<img alt="AS Roma v Juventus FC - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rcFA0PVCcLuPtbmkP8XyCJmXCOM=/0x0:2789x1859/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67576226/1228766307.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It's the third match of the season, can Roma get their first victory?</p> <p id="3CxqJO">While Roma enter this match with slightly less controversy enveloping them off the pitch, they did have to face some late week histrionics from former sporting director Gianluca Petrachi, as well as the lingering on again off again transfer of Chris Smalling. These are small potatoes compared to the Dzeko/Milik situation a few weeks ago, but it just goes to show that nothing is ever easy (or quiet) with this club.</p>
<p id="iOxWaE">The off the pitch conjecture of the past few weeks has masked Roma's struggles on the pitch, where a lack of efficiency up front and some stale second half tactics have plagued Roma in recent weeks.</p>
<p id="XtsfSa">18th place <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese</a>, with their -3 goal differential, seem like the perfect foil for a Roma club looking to score a decisive victory, but can they do it?</p>
<h2 id="r6f4zt">Lineups</h2>
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<p lang="it" dir="ltr"> <br><br> Ecco la nostra formazione per <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UdineseRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UdineseRoma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASRoma</a> <a href="https://t.co/CPeuWRGMJ1">pic.twitter.com/CPeuWRGMJ1</a></p>— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialASRoma/status/1312448677043085314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2020</a>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/3/21500018/udinese-vs-roma-lineups-game-threadbren2020-10-03T15:19:59+02:002020-10-03T15:19:59+02:00Probable Formations: Udinese v. Roma
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<img alt="AS Roma v Udinese - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uNhZAuB949y4mLcBgwyrTPHd7N8=/2x0:4000x2665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67575354/1136906291.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Silvia Lore/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Don’t expect many changes from the side that went toe to toe with Juventus last weekend. </p> <p id="ylidum">After Paulo Fonseca decided to announce his whole formation prior to the Juve match at last week’s press conference, there was no need for my regular probable formations. However after that oddity from Fonseca, things are back to normal this week. We can again speculate as to Roma’s starting XI as they take on a less intimidating black and white striped opponent this week at the Dacia Arena. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <br> <br>Here's our travelling party for Saturday's Serie A game in Udine! <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASRoma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UdineseRoma?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UdineseRoma</a> <a href="https://t.co/VQKDJgnjzS">pic.twitter.com/VQKDJgnjzS</a></p>— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/1312031315894644742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2020</a>
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<p id="UwJHi9">While Fonseca didn’t name any starters ahead of today’s match against <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese</a>, he did indicate at Friday’s press conference that not much will change from last weekend’s XI that squared off against Juve. </p>
<blockquote><p id="3CyROi">“I can’t always give you the team. I’m not planning on making many changes, but we’ll see tomorrow.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="ZZangc">With that in mind, I wouldn’t expect more than a change at right wing back, if any at all. Starting in the back expect to see the young trio of Gianluca Mancini, Roger Ibañez, and Marash Kumbulla defending in front of <span>Antonio Mirante</span> in goal. </p>
<p id="Uhnbf3">As we discussed on our latest episode of Across the Romaverse, one of the biggest oddities thus far is Mirante starting the first two matches over Pau Lopez. Yet, it seems like that will continue ahead of next week’s international break. </p>
<aside id="4hcZZK"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Across the Romaverse, Episode II: Juve Recap, Transfer Rumors, Udinese Preview & Confronting the Pronunciation Police","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/2/21497963/cdt-podcast-episode-2"}]}'></div></aside><p id="tUFWzj">Meanwhile, Jordan Veretout and Lorenzo Pellegrini put in a strong shift in the center of the park and I wouldn’t expect to change things there for this one. Fonseca seemed particularly impressed with Pellegrini, who normally plays in a more advanced role. </p>
<blockquote><p id="xXCxPj">“Pellegrini can play in various different positions. He’s always played very well in that position. He played brilliantly against <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a>.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="LRPsMc">With those high praises being sung at Friday’s presser, it seems like another match starting from the bench for Amadou Diawara. That’ll be something to keep an eye on after Diawara’s agent made some inflammatory comments about his future this week. However, with a long season ahead, having Pellegrini as an additional option in the double pivot along with Veretout, Diawara, Cristante, and Villar can only benefit Roma in the long run. </p>
<p id="bALgWI">Shifting out wide to wing back, expect Leonardo Spinazzola to start again after another strong performance on the left flank. If there’s any question mark as to the starting line-up for this one it’s on the opposite flank and Fonseca was very ambiguous when asked about the first choice at the right wing back position. </p>
<blockquote><p id="k9vS4M">“None of them. Ricky [Karsdorp] played in the first game and did very well, just like [Davide] Santon against <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a>. Bruno is more offensive than the others, but we have to remember that he only started training a few days ago and isn’t yet fully fit. We need to wait for him to come back.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="grw6lI">Considering the lack of fitness mentioned by Fonseca I wouldn’t expect Peres to start. Meanwhile, Karsdorp didn’t travel with squad after his first match “cramps”. Therefore, I’m tipping Santon for his second consecutive start. </p>
<p id="frhzMX">Rounding out the starting XI, expect the veteran trio in attack again with Pedro and Henrikh Mkhitaryan playing behind Edin Dzeko. </p>
<p id="b5Dyjo">With the staring XI a carbon copy from last week’s match, we can only hope that Roma jump out to an early lead and Fonseca trusts his reserves a bit more to spell some guys in the second half. After all, youngsters like Carles Perez, Gonzalo Villar, and Riccardo Calafiori will need minutes if they’re to develop to their potential and become important players for the Giallorossi. </p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8ORONwZPI3R5fEUz-BK2XdtPnBI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21929848/lineup_1_.png">
<cite>buildlineups.com</cite>
<figcaption>Roma Projected XI v. Udinese</figcaption>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/3/21498553/probable-formations-udinese-v-romassciavillo2020-10-03T01:30:00+02:002020-10-03T01:30:00+02:00How to Watch Udinese vs. Roma: TV and Streaming Options
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<img alt="AS Roma v Juventus - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d3_I55W1VL-RnK_DTX5zvpDT05E=/0x0:1324x883/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67574007/1228770261.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Roma are shooting for their first win of the year, here's how to catch Saturday's action. </p> <h3 id="HS9R7c">MATCH INFO</h3>
<p id="GlsyV1"><strong>Location: </strong>Dacia Arena, Udine</p>
<p id="es5LaA"><strong>Kick-off time:</strong> October 3rd, 20:45 CET/2:45 EDT</p>
<h3 id="pmqbq5">WATCH IT</h3>
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<div id="lstv-root-match-3769267" class="lstv-match" data-match="3769267" data-open="0" data-width="100%" data-height="auto"><a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3769267/udinese-vs-roma/">Udinese - Roma</a></div>
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<p id="N8QIat">If you live in the United States, you can watch on <a href="http://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/482924/535100/9070?sharedid=ChieseaDiTotti">ESPN+</a> (affiliate link) and we get a portion of the subscription if you use this link.</p>
<p id="Oj0XeG">If you live elsewhere in the world, there are plenty more viewing options <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3769267/udinese-vs-roma/"><strong>here</strong></a>, and if you like snap judgments, cursing, and sarcasm, you can follow us <a href="https://twitter.com/chiesaditotti"><strong>on Twitter</strong></a>. If you haven’t already, join the fray on our message boards; we don’t bite. We’re also available at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Chiesa.Di.Totti">Zuckerberg Discount Data Warehouse</a>.</p>
<p id="V3Hq4t">Check out the stream below for our match preview, probable formations and more.</p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/3/21499480/how-to-watch-udinese-vs-roma-tv-and-streaming-optionsbren2020-10-02T22:00:00+02:002020-10-02T22:00:00+02:00Roma Look for First Win of the Season In Friuli Against Udinese
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<img alt="AS Roma v Udinese - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4rBAk2r9AhboCpYEXXkikCD8rHg=/0x0:2835x1890/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67573034/1224401117.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Claudio Pasquazi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Two matches, Two draws (well, one draw on the table). Can Roma finally pick up three points?</p> <p id="BEywTX">The start to Roma’s season hasn’t gone as planned, to say the least. First, an administrative error resulted in a 0-0 draw becoming a 3-0 loss; then, two goals from Jordan Veretout were squandered against <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> due to poor defending. Tomorrow, Roma travel to the Stadio Friuli to take on <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese</a>, where they hope they can find their first win of the season. </p>
<p id="Y8YbiD">Can they finally get the three points they desperately need, or will Romanisti continue to be subjected to middling performances from Paulo Fonseca’s Roma?</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qqP12O">
<p id="fBevYJ"><strong>Udinese vs. Roma</strong>: October 3rd. 20:45 CET/2:45 EDT. Stadio Friuli, Udine</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="lbrGj0">
<h2 id="Jp0tta">Keep An Eye On</h2>
<h3 id="aHF3Ps">Ama- Ama-dou, Where Are You?</h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Hellas Verona FC v AS Roma - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7Gzb3g6GX_dvFFNMorVnFlnaBFw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21929687/1273912258.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="hR817y">The <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/9/18/21433823/ranking-romas-youth-2-amadou-diawara">#2 rated under-23 Giallorossi</a> talent has had an interesting go of it recently. From the club accidentally registering him as an under-22-year-old (whoops) to Paulo Fonseca essentially shifting him to the bench and giving Lorenzo Pellegrini his role in the side, it’s been a rough week or two for the Guinean midfielder. Rumors even sprouted up that Diawara was looking for a move because of his perceived mistreatment, although those rumors have died away just as quickly given the short amount of time left in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>. </p>
<aside id="UmY2Qp"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Amadou Diawara’s Agent Throws His Roma Future Into Doubt","url":"https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/9/28/21459628/diawara-roma-agent-outburst"}]}'></div></aside><p id="VtXmTF">There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that for better and for worse, Lorenzo Pellegrini is an essential piece of Roma’s future plans. Despite arguably having similar levels of talent, the same cannot be said for Diawara; he’ll be a nice player to have in the side for a very long time, but if feathers get ruffled, there are certainly many many clubs that would try to gain his services. Given that, it’ll be interesting to see how Fonseca responds to Diawara’s agent and his comments on the field. Off the pitch, though, this is what Fonseca said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="QwkDRc"><strong>Were you surprised by the comments of Amadou Diawara’s agent? He has asked for more clarity on the player’s situation…</strong></p>
<p id="6q3sm2">“I have to admit I was, because Diawara has always played and he was one the players that learned the most last season. Diawara is a very important player for the team and for me and he’s working very well.</p>
<p id="ZmSrK6">“There’s no problem with him. If his agent thinks he can get a rise out of me with comments like these, he’s much mistaken.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="dYW74W">We’ll have to see if Fonseca punishes Diawara for his agent’s comments, or if the Portuguese manager will recognize Diawara’s ability and return him to the starting lineup. If Diawara stays out of the starting XI, though, one has to wonder how long he has left in Rome.</p>
<h3 id="mY1fpZ">Roma’s Blue Swede Returns?</h3>
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<img alt="AS Roma v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1D6wuYpuIf8LZ7aJ6hsQciQN30=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21929694/1221708076.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="eoLPbm">Another interesting development in the Romaverse is the (possibly long-term) return of Robin Olsen, the first goalkeeper the Giallorossi bought to try to replace Alisson Becker. Olsen had a decent season on loan for <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/cagliari">Cagliari</a> last season, and many thought that once he returned to Rome, he’d be sold off as quickly as possible to recoup some of his transfer fee. Yet Olsen is now back in the matchday squad with the #1 kit. Is this a result of Fonseca’s lack of trust in Pau Lopez, or is it simply temporary until a new permanent home can be found for Olsen? </p>
<h3 id="g6Xnbr">How Much More Time Does Fonseca Have?</h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="AS Roma v Juventus - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zbkf9-d01v5h6hrEbJpoQ4eXfyo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21917057/1228754799.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="fc4aZ2">We’ve already discussed<a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/9/24/21454059/cds-max-allegri-open-to-roma-job"> the Max Allegri rumors </a>at length on CdT, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Roma’s start to the season hasn’t made Paulo Fonseca’s seat at Trigoria any less hot. Two draws in two matches (with one being turned into a loss) is not the kind of start The Friedkin Group would have dreamed of for their new purchase. Add in the fact that Dan Friedkin hasn’t been afraid to change up the management structure of the Giallorossi recently, and it’s clear that a couple more weeks of poor form might result in that Allegri hiring happening sooner rather than later.</p>
<p id="pf2LBC">Personally, I’m not sure how I would feel about a Fonseca sacking and an Allegri hiring; a lot of my opinion on the move would be informed by who they bring on as a Director of Sport. Regardless, a big win against Udinese would probably buy Fonseca a good amount of time at Rome. TFG trusted him enough to keep him on once they bought the club, so the logic follows that there’s at least a small chance they seem him playing a large role in the future of the club. Time’s ticking away, though.</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2020/10/2/21498538/udinese-roma-match-previewJimmy Miotto