Roma noticed their optimistic run of Serie A video games ended by a shock 1-0 defeat to Udinese, as Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s deflected free kick proved decisive.
The Giallorossi performed for 75 minutes right down to 10 males on Thursday, however nonetheless earned to enter the Europa League final 16. Mario Hermoso returned, however Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone, Evan Ferguson, Artem Dovbyk and Stephan El Shaarawy missed the journey. The Friulani misplaced Alessandro Zanoli for the remainder of the season to a torn ACL, with Adam Buksa, Hassane Kamara and Jakub Piotrowski additionally injured. Ex-Roma man Nicolò Zaniolo was for the primary time since knee surgical procedure.
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UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Gian Piero Gasperini, supervisor of AS Roma, reacts in the course of the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photograph by Timothy Rogers/Getty Pictures)
Mile Svilar wanted two huge saves within the opening minutes, first on Arthur Atta’s long-range strike, then doing the identical on Jurgen Ekkelenkamp from even additional out, with Oumar Solet unable to maintain the rebound down.
Gianluca Mancini sprinted again and at full stretch toe-poked the Keinan Davis roll throughout away from Ekkelenkamp, who was able to faucet in from six yards.
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Donyell Malen had a weak effort saved by Maduka Okoye on the Matias Soulé counter-attack, as Udinese continued to have the higher of the sport with Liam Miller additionally blasting simply over the bar and Evan Ndicka’s decisive interception to forestall Davis going clear.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Evan Ndicka of Roma clashes with Keinan Davis of Udinese in the course of the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photograph by Timothy Rogers/Getty Pictures)
Soulé floated a free kick astray and after the restart Wesley’s cross-shot was parried on the close to put up by Okoye’s legs.
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Nonetheless, it was Udinese who took the lead moments later when Ekkelenkamp’s free kick took a giant deflection off Malen within the wall to loop up previous a helpless Svilar into the far prime nook. Roma had been livid, as they felt Mancini had not dedicated a foul to offer away that free kick.
The great luck didn’t final lengthy, as a result of moments later Davis pulled up clutching his left thigh and needed to limp off, visibly distraught at this newest damage setback.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Maduka Okoye of Udinese makes a save at a shot from Donyell Malen of Roma in the course of the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photograph by Timothy Rogers/Getty Pictures)
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Malen’s free kick was straight into the wall, then his effort was deflected huge by Thomas Kristensen after a poor clearance.
Svilar needed to palm a difficult Ekkelenkamp free kick out from below the bar, this time and not using a deflection, however Roma had the ball within the web on the ninetieth minute with Bryan Cristante solely after Kostas Tsimikas wandered offside for the acrobatic help.
Roma threatened once more on the 97th minute, Okoye at full stretch to fingertip the ball off the road after a Mancini toe-poke from six yards.
Udinese 1-0 Roma
Ekkelenkamp 49 (U)