Cristante leads AS Roma to a 5-2 win at Udinese

AS Roma secured a 5-2 win at Udinese, taking control with four goals before half-time. Bryan Cristante led the performance with one goal, one assist and two shots on target, earning an 8.7 rating.

Roma build an unassailable first-half lead

Cristante opened the scoring in the 10th minute, assisted by Wesley Vinícius França Lima, for 0-1. Rodrigo Mora made it 0-2 in the 31st minute after a Cristante assist. Donyell Malen added Roma’s third in the 33rd minute, assisted by Matias Soule, and Evan Ndicka completed the first-half scoring in the 37th minute, also assisted by Soule, for 0-4.

Udinese responded through Nicolo Zaniolo in the 50th minute, reducing the score to 1-4. Matteo Palma, assisted by Hassane Kamara, made it 2-4 in the 78th minute. Daniele Ghilardi restored Roma’s three-goal advantage in the 90th minute, with Santiago Thomas Castro assisting, to complete the scoring at 2-5.

Roma control the balance of play

Roma had 54% possession and completed 444 accurate passes to Udinese’s 362. Udinese registered more total shots, 15 to Roma’s 14, but Roma led shots on goal 9-7 and expected goals 2.9-1.89. Lennon Miller was booked in the 23rd minute and Cristante in the 60th; there were no red cards.

Roma strengthen their position

Before kick-off, Roma were #3 on 21 points and Udinese #17 on 5. Roma now have 24 points from 10 games and are provisionally #3, while Udinese have 5 points from 10 games. Roma’s record is now 7W 3D 0L; Udinese’s is 1W 2D 7L.