Antonio Mirante will make his third successive start for Roma when they face Udinese on Thursday – a game in which they will be looking to get back on track.
Roma’s form since the resumption of Serie A has been as mixed as it had been in the weeks prior to the suspension. A promising win over Sampdoria was followed by a disappointing loss at Milan, so the Giallorossi will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
Paulo Fonseca is not yet able to call on a fully fit squad, with Pau Lopez and Nicolo Zaniolo still absent. Mirante will start in goal again in Lopez’s absence, giving him his longest run of successive starts since joining the club.
Fonseca also has to do without Lorenzo Pellegrini and Jordan Veretout due to suspension. That may open an opportunity for Gonzalo Villar to come into the midfield, with the coach confirming the Spaniard is ready to play. However, Bryan Cristante and Amadou Diawara remain available.
Fonseca also hinted that Henrikh Mkhitaryan may be rested with a view to the upcoming clash with Napoli. However, given the Armenian’s good form and the recent announcement of the prolongation of his stay, he may be tempted to utilise him as he rides a wave of positivity.
Gianluca Mancini is another absentee, despite returning to the lineup against Milan. The man who played in his asbence against Sampdoria, Roger Ibanez, is expected to deputise again.
Up front, Edin Dzeko has scored the last three times Roma have hosted Udinese. One more goal would make him the outright highest-scoring foreign player in the club’s history – although Nikola Kalinic may also have a chance of starting.
Roma won the reverse fixture against Udinese 4-0. And despite the mixed 2020 so far, they have scored four goals in a single game on two occasions this calendar year. They will need to rediscover their attacking rhythm that was lost against Milan if they want to come close to replicating that.
All in all, a win of any margin would be welcome, and should be the least Roma are aiming for against a side not out of relegation trouble yet.
The game kicks off at 8:45pm UK time and will be shown live on Premier Sports 1.
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