The best shots from Roma-Udinese 3-0, a match of the 5th round of Serie A.
Ivan Juric’s adventure on the Roma bench starts off on the right foot. In the 5th round of Serie A, the Giallorossi defeated Udinese 3-0, securing their first win of the season. Dovbyk opened the match in the 19th minute with a great left-footed diagonal shot. Udinese offered little resistance, and at the start of the second half, Dybala earned and converted a penalty for the 2-0. In the 70th minute, Baldanzi also found glory, beating Okoye after an exchange with Dovbyk. For Udinese, who were leading after 4 rounds, this was their first loss of the season.
THE MATCH
Juric’s influence immediately shows its effect, with Roma cruising past Udinese to claim their first league victory at the end of a week filled with drama, including De Rossi’s sacking and CEO Souloukou’s resignation. Despite the lack of support from the Curva Sud, who entered the stadium around the 30th minute and booed several players (with captain Pellegrini being a primary target), Roma had no issues against an overly passive Udinese, who faded from the game too early, making it easier for Dybala and company. La Joya scored his first goal of the season, but the continued improvement of Dovbyk gives hope for the future: the Ukrainian striker scored one goal, provided an assist, and looks to be returning to the form he displayed last season, when he dazzled in a Girona shirt.
For his debut on the Roma bench, Juric didn’t make radical changes: compared to the Genoa match, which sealed De Rossi’s fate, only two changes were made: Celik replaced the injured Saelemaekers, and captain Pellegrini took Koné’s place. Dybala and Dovbyk were confirmed up front, with Soulé still on the bench. For Udinese, still unbeaten until now, Kabasele replaced the injured Giannetti in defense, Ekkelenkamp took a spot in midfield, and Brenner lined up alongside Thauvin behind Lucca. The match at the Olimpico began without the Curva Sud, who entered the stands shortly before the 30th minute as a protest against the ownership. The Giallorossi were eager to claim their first win, and the first half was completely one-sided. Udinese barely managed to counterattack. The Marassi goal was a blessing for Dovbyk, who looked like a completely different player compared to his early performances. The Ukrainian striker first tested Okoye in the 8th minute, then in the 19th found the back of the net with a beautiful diagonal shot after a setup by El Shaarawy. There was no reaction from Udinese, and the former Girona striker had a chance to double the lead after an unexpected gift from Kabasele, but missed the target in the 28th minute. The one-sided first half ended with a weak shot from El Shaarawy. Pellegrini and his teammates returned to the locker room to whistles from the fans, who are at odds with the Friedkin ownership.
Runjaic tried to respond by bringing on Davis for the ineffective Lucca, but a mistake by Bijol, who fouled Dybala in the box, made the match even tougher at the start of the second half. From the penalty spot, the Argentine blasted past Okoye, who guessed the right direction but couldn’t reach the ball. Cristante (another player who faced heavy boos) had two chances to score the third goal, first with a header and then with his foot, but Okoye made two great saves in the 51st minute. Udinese showed a bit more courage and almost got back into the game in the 66th minute, when Svilar made an incredible save on Thauvin’s only moment of brilliance. However, it was a brief spark, as in the 70th minute, Baldanzi exchanged passes with Dovbyk and sealed the 3-0 win, putting the match beyond doubt.
