Pellegrini and Soulé to Start Behind Dovbyk Against Udinese
Matias Soulé and Artem Dovbyk, who scored in the Europa League, will start alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini in Roma’s upcoming match against Udinese. Wesley and Manu Konè will also be in the starting lineup.
Physical Challenge Posed by Udinese
Roma faces one of the league’s most physically imposing teams. Udinese’s players such as Ekkelenkamp and Kabasele, who differ by 188 centimeters in height, and Atta and Ehizibue, standing 191 centimeters taller than Buksa and Zaniolo, present a significant challenge. Bertola and Solet also have a 192-centimeter height advantage, creating a considerable physical gap between the teams.
According to probable lineups reported by Il Corriere dello Sport, there is a 33-centimeter average height difference between the sides, likely influencing the tactical choices of both coaches.
Aerial Duels and Defensive Style
- Gasperini’s team ranks third in aerial duels with 17.2 per game, slightly ahead of Udinese’s 16.5.
- Runjaic’s Udinese prioritizes aggressive ball recovery, averaging 16 tackles per match.
Finishing Statistics and Recent Performance
Udinese converts shots at a rate 1% higher than Roma (17% compared to 7%). Roma’s scoring struggles are well documented, but their recent 2-0 win over Rangers in Scotland—achieved with just three shots on target—offers hope for a turnaround this season, where they have tallied only 10 goals from 53 shots.
Lineup Adjustments and Player Impact
Wesley and Manu Konè will start, replacing Kostas Tsimikas and Neil El Aynaoui, who is recovering. The defense remains unchanged to accommodate Niccolò Zaniolo, whose emotional celebration at the Olimpico last year enraged even coach Gasperini.
"A 33 centimeter difference between the teams could influence the tactics chosen by the coaches," reports Il Corriere dello Sport.
"Roma won 2-0 against Rangers, scoring twice from just three shots on target— a season-high efficiency amid ongoing scoring struggles."
Summary: Roma prepares for a physically demanding match against Udinese, relying on strategic lineup changes and hoping recent scoring improvements mark a positive shift.