Roma travels to Udine for a crucial Monday night encounter as they look to capitalize on their favorable Europa League scheduling while navigating a significant injury crisis. The Giallorossi secured a vital 1-1 draw in Greece against Panathinaikos despite playing with ten men for most of the match, a result that earned them a bye for the entire month of February in European competition. This scheduling advantage could prove decisive for a squad battling multiple fitness concerns and fighting to secure a top-four position in Serie A.
The absence of Thursday night fixtures throughout February provides manager Gian Piero Gasperini with a rare opportunity to focus exclusively on domestic commitments. With two fewer matches on the calendar, training sessions can be more targeted, recovery periods extended, and tactical work more intensive. This breather comes at a critical juncture as Roma attempts to build momentum in the league while managing a treatment room that has become increasingly crowded in recent weeks.
The injury situation presents Gasperini with his most significant challenge. The attacking department has been particularly hard hit, with Paulo Dybala, Evan Ferguson, Artem Dovbyk, and Stephan El Shaarawy all unavailable for selection. This quartet represents a substantial portion of Roma's offensive firepower, and their collective absence forces a tactical rethink. Additionally, midfielder Manu Koné remains sidelined, further limiting options in the engine room. The only positive news on the fitness front concerns Mario Hermoso, who has returned to training and might be included among the substitutes, offering some defensive depth.
With no natural strikers available for the Panathinaikos match, Gasperini was forced to deploy Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé in a false nine configuration. That experiment, born of necessity rather than choice, demonstrated the team's adaptability but also highlighted the importance of having a recognized center-forward. The return of Donyell Malen to fitness provides exactly that, allowing the Dutchman to lead the line in a more conventional setup. His presence at the tip of the attack gives Roma a focal point, someone to stretch the Udinese defense and provide a goal threat in the penalty area.
Pellegrini and Soulé will drop back into their preferred attacking midfield positions, operating just behind Malen in a system designed to create overloads and exploit spaces between the lines. This trio has the potential to be dynamic and unpredictable, with Pellegrini's vision and set-piece delivery complementing Soulé's dribbling ability and eye for goal. Their understanding will be crucial in breaking down a Udinese side that typically organizes itself compactly and looks to frustrate opponents.
Defensively, the picture is clearer. With Hermoso unlikely to be risked from the start after his injury layoff, the back three should be composed of Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, and Daniele Ghilardi. This combination offers a blend of experience, athleticism, and technical quality. Mancini provides leadership and organizational skills, Ndicka brings pace and composure on the ball, while Ghilardi continues to develop into a reliable option at this level. Their ability to build from the back will be tested by Udinese's pressing triggers, but their collective quality suggests they should be able to progress the ball effectively.
The wing-back positions appear settled. Zeki Çelik has established himself as the first-choice option on the right, offering defensive solidity and the stamina to support attacks throughout the ninety minutes. On the opposite flank, Wesley continues to man the left side, providing width and an additional creative outlet. Their role in this system cannot be understated; they must defend as a five when out of possession and provide width in attack, essentially covering the entire touchline. Against Udinese's wide players, their discipline and tactical intelligence will be paramount.
The central midfield selection presents the only real selection dilemma for Gasperini. Bryan Cristante is virtually certain to start, given his importance to the team's structure and his ability to dictate tempo from deep. The question is who partners him. The choice appears to be between Neil El Aynaoui and Niccoló Pisilli, two players with different profiles but similar ambitions. El Aynaoui, the Moroccan international, seems to have the edge according to recent reports. His energy, ball-carrying ability, and defensive contributions make him an attractive option for a match where Roma may need to control possession and transition quickly. Pisilli, the young Italian, represents the future and has shown promise when given opportunities, but El Aynaoui's experience and current form appear to have given him the advantage.
This midfield partnership will be crucial in determining the flow of the game. Against a Udinese team that often looks to disrupt rhythm and play direct football, Cristante and his partner must provide stability, win second balls, and launch attacks. Their ability to protect the defense while simultaneously initiating offensive moves will be a key battleground. The spacing between the midfield and defensive lines, the pressure on Udinese's ball carriers, and the speed of circulation will all be factors that Gasperini has undoubtedly emphasized in training.
The tactical setup suggests a 3-4-2-1 formation, a shape that offers defensive solidity while allowing flexibility in attack. This system enables Roma to match up against Udinese's likely midfield numbers while still providing support for Malen. The two attacking midfielders can drift wide, drop deep, or push forward, creating numerical advantages in various areas of the pitch. It's a formation that demands intelligence, work rate, and technical quality from all players, attributes that this Roma squad possesses in abundance.
Monday Night Football brings its own unique pressures and opportunities. The standalone fixture means all eyes will be on this match, with supporters across Italy tuning in to see how Roma handles adversity. For the players, it's a chance to make a statement, to show that the team can overcome obstacles and continue to accumulate points despite the challenging circumstances. The atmosphere in Udine will be hostile, as the home side fights its own battles in the lower reaches of the table, making every point precious.
The importance of this fixture cannot be overstated. With rivals also competing for Champions League qualification, dropped points against mid-table or lower-table opposition can prove costly come season's end. Roma's ability to grind out results when not at full strength is often what separates successful campaigns from disappointing ones. The depth of the squad is being tested, but so is the tactical acumen of the coaching staff and the mental fortitude of the players.
Gasperini's decision not to hold a pre-match press conference adds an element of mystery to Roma's preparations. Without his usual media obligations, the manager can focus entirely on training and tactical planning. It also means Udinese has less information to work with when preparing for the visitors' approach. This small detail could provide a marginal advantage, forcing the home side to prepare for multiple scenarios rather than receiving clear indications from the manager's public comments.
As the teams prepare to take the field in Udine, all signs point to a tightly contested affair. Roma's makeshift attack will need to be clinical, their midfield disciplined, and their defense resolute. The absence of key personnel is undeniable, but it also presents an opportunity for others to step up and claim their place in the team. Players like Malen, El Aynaoui, and Ghilardi have the chance to prove they can be relied upon in crucial moments.
The predicted lineup reflects both the challenges and the solutions Gasperini has devised. In goal, Svilar continues to establish himself as a reliable presence. The back three of Mancini, Ndicka, and Ghilardi provides a solid foundation. The wing-back pairing of Çelik and Wesley offers balance and industry. In midfield, Cristante and El Aynaoui should provide the necessary steel and creativity. Ahead of them, Pellegrini and Soulé will look to unlock the Udinese defense, while Malen leads the line with his pace and finishing ability.
This configuration gives Roma the best chance of securing three points while managing their current limitations. It's a lineup that emphasizes collective responsibility, tactical discipline, and individual quality within a structured framework. The players selected have the opportunity to demonstrate that Roma's season ambitions remain intact despite the injury setbacks.
The road ahead for Roma is challenging, but the February fixture list offers a chance to gain ground. Without European distractions, every league match takes on added significance. The result in Udine will set the tone for the month ahead, providing either a confidence boost or a setback that could have lingering effects. For Gasperini and his squad, the message is clear: adapt, overcome, and continue the pursuit of Champions League football.