Five things we learned from Roma's 4-0 win over Udinese

Roma started their Serie A season in style with a 4-0 victory over Udinese on Saturday. Our columnist looks at five key points from the contest...

Fantastic start to the Serie A season

Roma’s 4-0 victory over Udinese was the perfect way for them to start the new Serie A campaign - and also saw them extend their unbeaten streak in the league to an impressive 18 matches.

Despite an uncharacteristically flat first half Luciano Spalletti's words at half-time certainly rallied his troops – the coach seeing his side come out after the break refocused and with a strong desire to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Four second half goals followed, all while the team played with plenty of verve and incision. The fighting spirit Spalletti has instilled in the side, combined with his evident powers of motivation, continue to propel Roma to achieve positive results no matter what circumstances they are confronted with.

Perotti's decisive impact

Diego Perotti's introduction on 57 minutes was a key factor in the Giallorossi being able to break the deadlock. Aside from scoring two penalties and setting up Salah's late strike, the Argentinian's movement and energy provided the spark Roma needed to ignite their attacking game.

Indeed, this 30-minute, game-changing cameo underlined what an integral member of Spalletti's squad the January signing has become.

"I feel good, [the team] have backed me 100% ever since I joined and that's massive,” Perotti said. “I came off the bench today and my first thought was how I could contribute.”

Superb Salah stretches the play

Mohamed Salah was a constant menace to the Udinese defence throughout the win. His wicked pace and unpredictability with the ball at his feet ensured Giuseppe Iachini's men just could not come to terms with the Egyptian.

His direct opponent, Ali Adnan – who only recently returned from playing in the Olympics with Iraq - certainly would have been hoping for a gentler start to the new season.

Adding a goal was a fitting way to cap off an explosive showing that also saw Salah create a game-high four chances, complete two successful dribbles and unleash five shots.

Bruno Peres' encouraging debut

Coming in for the injured Alessandro Florenzi at right-back, Bruno Peres made an solid debut for his new club that offered plenty of hints at what he will bring to the side.

Like so many of his teammates, the former Torino star took some time to really impose himself in the opening period, but after the break the Brazilian highlighted just why he's regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the division. He jetted up and down the touchline with intent, enthusiasm and power in a game where he provided vital width for the home side.

The pacy, all-action Peres, whose aggression when defending was another positive, already appears to be settling in well at his new home. Working well with Salah down the right on more than one occasion, the two also gave a tantalising insight into what a potentially dynamic partnership they could develop over the next few months.

Emerson showing promise

Although the Brazilian left-back endured a shaky start to the match, he recovered admirably to put in a promising shift. By making intelligent overlapping and underlapping runs his movement supplied a constant offensive outlet for his teammates to utilise and, once in possession, he made a nuisance of himself with his running and crossing.

Defensively, his ability to win his duels both on the ground and in the air rounded out a strong showing by the 22-year-old. While he's still got some improving to do, it's great to finally see the youngster begin to repay Spalletti's unwavering faith in him.

“I feel good mentally,” he said afterwards. “The coach backs everyone and I feel good. I always want to play and perform well.

"Every time we pull on these colours we have to be confident in our brand of football.”