Udinese 0-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

Where an own goal had proven the difference between the Giallorossi and Genoa in Liguria seven days earlier, this time it was Radja Nainggolan’s 12th minute strike that ultimately separated the sides – as the Belgian finished brilliantly with a spinning first-time shot to break the deadlock.

Roma had plenty of further chances to put the game beyond all doubt, least of all when a first-half penalty was squandered, but nevertheless ended up with a lot to thank Wojciech Szczesny for – as the goalkeeper made a handful of fine saves to clinch the three points.

Nevertheless, a fifth clean sheet in seven games spoke to the added resolve the team seems to have developed in recent weeks, while the result put the squad one point behind league leaders Juventues – albeit with the Bianconeri still to play later on Sunday.

The game was notable for another reason, as Francesco Totti came on midway through the second half for his first competitive action of 2017.

That means the 40-year-old has now played in 25 successive calendar years for the Giallorossi - an almost unfathomable record.

As it turned out Totti entered with the game evenly poised, with Nainggolan's early goal the only difference between the two sides. The midfielder had done brilliantly to convert what was a difficult chance, connecting sweetly as Kevin Strootman's chipped pass dropped over his shoulder to give Karnezis no chance.

The first half saw plenty of other chances for goals, but a combination of fine goalkeeping and questionable shooting ensured a second would not come. Edin Dzeko failed to hit the target from the penalty spot, and as the game wore on he would continue to be unlucky in front of goal.

Stephan El Shaarawy, Dzeko and Nainggolan all forced Karnezis into great saves throughout the contest, while Szczesny was called upon to perform some acrobatics of his own - including two brilliant saves in the space of 20 seconds to palm away Felipe's header and then reject De Paul's scything drive.

These fine margins would prove the difference in the end, as Roma shut up shop over the closing 10 minutes and expertly saw out the game.

Team selection

With Antonio Rudiger and Daniele De Rossi suspended, and Diego Perotti ruled out due to injury, Spalletti handed starts to both Stephan El Shaarawy and Leandro Paredes, while Kostas Manolas slotted back into the three-man defence alongside Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus.

Francesco Totti started on the bench, meaning Radja Nainggolan captained the side once again.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

5' - A bright start from Roma! Jesus, Strootman & Radja combine, before El Shaarawy forces Karnezis into the save!

12' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Brilliant from the Giallorossi - from the right Strootman feeds Nainggolan, who lashes home on the turn with a great strike! 1-0!

26' - Close again from Roma! Dzeko curls one from 25 yards, and Karnezis watches nervously as it goes just wide!

17' - PENALTY FOR ROMA! El Shaarawy's cross is handled in the box, and the referee agrees. Dzeko who takes on the responsibility - but he blasts over the bar...

22' - Brilliant double save from Szczesny! He parries Thereau's close-range header, then stops De Paul's drive!

43' - Escape for Roma! On the counter De Paul finds Thereau with a great cross, but the striker mishits the finish!

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See more images in our match gallery.

SECOND HALF

75' - Felipe goes into the book after a cynical foul on Dzeko to prevent the striker getting clear on goal.

80' - CLOSE! An inswinging cross finds Dzeko at the far post, but he can't quite steer his header on target!

82' - Another opening, another header for Dzeko. This time a defender is all over him and it goes narrowly wide again.

85' - Dzeko is played with a brilliant through ball - he hits the shot cleanly but Karnezis makes a fine stop.

87' - Another good save from Szczesny - this time to save and hold from Thereau's close-range drive.

Key match statistics

See more match statistics in our match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“The lads showed resilience again today. They started well and instantly showed that they wanted to win convincingly. We didn’t play like a mature team in the second half so that’s the only negative. We deserved to win – and it’s a great win.”

- Luciano Spalletti

“It was a bit like last week at Genoa. We had lots of chances to add a second goal today, but unfortunately we couldn’t take them. That said, a 1-0 win is worth three points all the same and that’s the only thing that counts.”

- Kevin Strootman

What's next?

A busy week now arrives for the Giallorossi - Spalletti's side host Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico in the Coppa Italia on Thursday 19 January, before welcoming Cagliari to the same venue in the league three days later.

The following week they face Sampdoria again, this time at the Marassi in league action.

UDINESE 0-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Nainggolan (12')

Udinese: Karnezis, Faraoni, Danilo, Felipe, Samir, Fofana, Kums (Ewandro), Jankto (Perica), De Paul, Zapata (Hallfredsson), Thereau.

Roma: Szczesny; Jesus, Fazio, Manolas; Emerson, Strootman, Paredes, Peres; El Shaarawy (Totti), Nainggolan, Dzeko.