Opinion: 3 notable performances from the win at Udinese

We’ve picked out three individual Roma performances that stood out from the Giallorossi’s first victory of the season...

ANTONIO MIRANTE

Mirante was superb throughout in Udine, proving why Paulo Fonseca has entrusted the 37-year-old with the No. 1 spot in his lineup at the start of this season.

He twice saved exceptionally to deny Kevin Lasagna in the first half to keep the scores level, and ensured Roma kept their lead in the second period with a fine double save to keep out first Lasagna and then Fernando Forestieri with 20 minutes to play.

Those four Mirante saves were crucial to Roma earning both a clean sheet and victory, while the keeper's work with his feet was also critical in allowing his side to build out from the back - a central theme to Fonseca’s brand of football.

ROGER IBANEZ

Another role so important to the Fonseca philosophy is that of the central of his three defenders - one that Ibanez is becoming increasingly at home operating in - as he ended the game with the most recoveries (eight), the most interceptions (six), the most tackles (four) and the most touches (98) in the match.

The 21-year-old - playing in only his 14th match for Roma - had one of the best performances of his career in red and yellow on Saturday, time and again sweeping up and snuffing out any danger as partners Marash Kumbulla and Gianluca Mancini pressed further up.

His quarter-back impersonation in the first half that set captain Edin Dzeko through on goal was a stunning example of Ibanez’s distribution, while his last-ditch tackle to stop Kevin Lasagna on the brink of the first half whistle kept Roma in the game at the time.

PEDRO RODRIGUEZ

When the Spanish World Cup winner joined the club in the summer, there was much excitement around his arrival - and the 33-year-old showed why with a beauty to open his Roma account.

It was a veritable screamer from the three-time Champions League winner that not only got him, but also the club, up and running for the season by delivering all three points via his remarkable right-foot.

Beyond his sublime strike, there was also encouragement to be found in the way Pedro linked up with Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with the new-look Roma front-three already developing nicely in its early stages of existence.