Udinese outwork and outfight Roma, Ekkelenkamp decisive from a set piece as Gasperini’s side slip to fifth place.
Udinese claimed a crucial Serie A victory at home, defeating Roma 1–0 thanks to a second-half free kick from Jurgen Ekkelenkamp. The result sees Roma suffer their eighth league defeat of the season and drop behind Juventus into fifth place, while Udinese draw level with Lazio in eighth and move within four points of Atalanta.
Roma struggled to find rhythm from the opening minutes, allowing Udinese to dictate the tempo and create the better chances. The first warning came from distance, as Atta unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that forced Mile Svilar into a superb save. The Roma goalkeeper was soon called into action again, this time denying Ekkelenkamp with another effort from outside the box.
Udinese continued to threaten. Davis drove low across the box looking for a tap-in at the far post, but Gianluca Mancini produced a crucial sliding intervention to deny Ekkelenkamp what looked like a certain goal. Roma survived the first half, but the pressure was mounting.
The breakthrough arrived early in the second half. From a free kick just outside the area, Ekkelenkamp struck goalward, and a deflection off Malen in the wall wrong-footed Svilar, sending the ball inside the far post for 1–0.
Roma responded by pushing higher up the pitch, but Udinese’s defensive block held firm. The Giallorossi thought they had equalized through Bryan Cristante’s header from a Tsimikas cross, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
In the dying moments, Roma threw everyone forward. At 97 minutes, Mancini rose to meet a cross with a powerful header, but Maduka Okoye produced a stunning save to preserve the lead and seal a memorable win for the hosts.
Udinese’s energy, discipline and midfield dominance—epitomized by Miller’s tireless display—proved decisive, while Roma were left to rue a disjointed attacking performance and a costly set-piece concession.
Match Report: Udinese 1–0 Roma
Scorers:
50’ Ekkelenkamp (Udinese)
Udinese (3-4-2-1):
Okoye; Solet, Kristensen, Bertola (Kabasele 79’); Ehizibue, Karlström, Miller (Zarraga 79’), Zemura; Ekkelenkamp (Bayo 90+2’), Atta; Davis (Gueye 56’, Zaniolo 90+2’).
Head coach: Kosta Runjaic.
Roma (3-4-2-1):
Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso (Ghilardi 70’); Celik (Tsimikas 79’), Cristante, El Aynaoui (Pisilli 78’), Wesley; Soulé (Robinio Vaz 79’), Pellegrini (Venturino 67’); Malen.
Head coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referee: Juan Luca Sacchi
Yellow cards: Ndicka, Mancini, El Aynaoui, Pellegrini (Roma); Davis, Kristensen, Zemura, Miller, Gueye (Udinese)
