Udinese Vs AS Roma [1–0] – Serie A 2025/2026: I Giallorossi’s Attacking Stagnation Exposed – Tactical Analysis

AS Roma faced Udinese in an away match at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine and lost by a single goal, as Udinese delivered a powerful performance to defeat their opponent.

Roma failed to secure three crucial points that would have helped them overtake Juventus in the standings and retain fourth place in Serie A.

Their loss leaves them in fifth place and further from the top four.

Roma will need to be better prepared and more attentive in their next games, as they risk losing what they have been working to achieve throughout the season.

In fact, Roma recently reached the top and second spots but failed to remain there.

However, it would be unacceptable for them to relinquish the fourth spot as well, as that would mean failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League despite their excellent first half of the season.

In this tactical analysis, we will focus on Roma’s attacking issues and mistakes in this match, while shedding light on Udinese’s set-piece plans and solutions for shooting from distance.

Udinese Vs Roma Lineups & Formations

Kosta Runjaić started the match in a 5-4-1 formation, with Maduka Okoye as the goalkeeper, Oumar Solet, Thomas Kristensen, and Nicolò Bertola as centre-backs, and Kingsley Ehizibue and Jordan Zemura as full-backs.

The midfield comprised Jesper Karlström and Lennon Miller as central midfielders, with Arthur Atta and Jürgen Ekkelenkamp as wingers behind the main striker, Keinan Davis.

On the other hand, Gian Piero Gasperini started the match in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal and a defensive line of three centre-backs: Gianluca Mancini on the right, Evan Ndicka in the centre, and Mario Hermoso on the left.

The midfield line featured Zeki Çelik and Wesley França as right and left wing-backs, with Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui as central midfielders.

In attack, Gasperini used both Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini as advanced playmakers, with the new recruit Donyell Malen as the main striker.

Roma Inability To Score Against Udinese

Udinese succeeded in limiting Roma’s attacking threats in this match, mainly thanks to their disciplined high pressing and their ability to block Romas build-up from the back, using the same man-marking system that Roma usually employs to prevent opponents from advancing easily.

Udinese played an almost perfect defensive game, with excellent man marking throughout the match, which obliged Roma to opt for complex long passes at times.

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