Four Things We Learned: Half-time switches open up game

Roma make it two wins on the trot

Roma recorded their second consecutive win and clean sheet as they ousted Udinese on a rain-soaked night at the Stadio Olimpico.

On an evening where Edin Dzeko scored his first home goal of the season, the Giallorossi held firm thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from Antonio Mirante and a much improved defensive performance on their way to limiting the Little Zebras to an XG of 0.56 and allowing only two shots on target.

Forced to dig deep to secure the three points against a persistent Udinese outfit, this was a vital result ahead of Roma's colossal clash next weekend with Inter Milan.

Claudio Ranieri noted in his post-match comments how he's pleased with the collective effort and is keen for them to keep building in the all-important run home for a coveted Champions League spot.

"The lads did well because they stuck together, stayed focused and worked hard to get these big three points. I said beforehand that it was going to be a very tough game and so it proved," he said.

"Now I see the lads have understood what I want from them – to work as a team and go the extra yard for their team-mates. Slowly but surely we're getting there."

Marcano's accomplished body of work

Ivan Marcano produced his most accomplished outing in the Roma shirt, with the Spaniard undertaking his duties on both sides of the ball with conviction from his left-back post.

While he performed his defensive duties with calm and comfort, using all his experience, nous and physicality to cut out many attacks and win a good portion of his individual battles, it was on the offensive end where he shone brightest.

Up against Udinese’s narrow 5-3-2 defensive shape, he provided great width to the Giallorossi attacks, taking full advantage of the lack of presence in Udinese's formation down the flanks. Ably supported by winger Stephan El Shaarawy's high positioning, who typically drifted infield too, this created oceans of room for him to surge into.

It was good to see Marcano execute some smart rotations with El Shaarawy too, which caused confusion for their opponents and allowed Marcano to get forward with some damaging underlapping runs.

Accompanying the aforementioned with some lovely through balls over the top and some measured crosses and cutbacks into the box, and Marcano's outing was certainly full of upside.

By the numbers, his four successful dribbles, five interceptions, two clearances, five progressive runs, three won aerial duels, one key pass and the fact he completed seven passes into the final third duly illustrated his worth.

When speaking afterwards, an exhausted yet delighted Marcano was just happy to play his part in the win, saying: "I hadn't played in that position for a long time and I hadn't played 90 minutes for a long time. I wasn't 100% physically but the important thing was to help the team, I succeeded and I'm happy.

"With Ranieri I'm having more chances, the coach is looking at me and things are going well.”

Winning goal analysis

Having pushed hard for their winner in the minutes leading up to Dzeko finding the back of the net, Roma finally got their reward for their prolonged spell of pressure. Following a series of corners and promising scenarios, William Troost-Ekong's scrambled clearance was masterfully taken down by Bryan Cristante around 40 yards out from Roma's goal.

Upon getting control of the ball, Cristante immediately got his head up and found El Shaarawy near the edge of the box.

As the ball was on its way El Shaarawy had quickly surveyed his surroundings and noticed Dzeko getting back onside ready to dart in behind.

El Shaarawy then proceeded to play a magnificent first time dinked through ball with the outside of his right foot straight into Dzeko's path, who coolly finished past Juan Musso to seal the win.

Needing a moment of magic to unlock their stubborn foes, El Shaarawy's sublime ball was just what Roma needed to triumph.

Introduction of Florenzi and Pellegrini key in second half improvement

With Roma struggling to really impose themselves in the first half, the half-time introduction of Lorenzo Pellegrini and Alessandro Florenzi added some much needed energy, dynamism and intensity into Roma's work.

To start with, the duo's running power increased the effectiveness of Roma's pressing game, as their ability to race across the turf to harry their opponents caused multiple turnovers and gave the away side less time on the ball.

The job Pellegrini did limiting Rolando Mandragora was a real highlight, for he largely stopped him from having his typical influence when orchestrating passing moves for the Friulani.

Further elements that saw a noticeable improvement came through the better service the pair gave the strikers and the lively movement they offered.

Even though Florenzi did a solid job of motoring forward at every available opportunity to stretch his opponents and fired in some dangerous deliveries, it was Pellegrini who stood out.

Buzzing all over the final third initially before being moved into a deeper role, his intelligent movement in between the lines, in the half spaces and into the box gave Roma another dimension.

This subsequently gave Udinese many headaches on who should track him, with this frequently freeing up a colleague or opening a pass lane.

The Italian's wicked set piece taking qualities and passing also deserved special mention, as he whipped in plenty of threatening balls into the box, that on another day would have surely been converted.

Imaginative, ingenuitive and full of energy, Pellegrini's cameo was certainly a real game changer.

All statistics provided by InStat.