Udinese 1-0 Roma Player Ratings: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp's Free-Kick Ensures Three Points for Hosts | Serie A

Udinese claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Roma in a tense Serie A encounter. The match was closely contested, with both sides showing strong tactical discipline and little space to attack.

The first half saw plenty of fouls and cautious play, as neither team managed to create clear-cut chances. It was a tight battle in midfield, and the Udinese vs AS Roma score remained level at the break.

The decisive moment came shortly after the restart when Jurgen Ekkelenkamp produced a moment of quality, curling a superb free-kick into the net. The goal gave Udinese the lead and shifted the momentum of the game.

Roma responded by pushing forward and controlling possession for long periods, but they struggled to break down a well-organised Udinese defence. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye also played a pivotal role, making important saves to keep Roma at bay.

Despite late pressure from the visitors, Udinese held on to secure all three points, sealing a disciplined and resilient performance at home. Now, let's take a look at Udinese vs Roma player ratings from the Serie A fixture:

Key Takeaways

1. The first half ended goalless after a tight and physical contest.
2. Jürgen Ekkelenkamp scored the winning goal with a brilliant free-kick early in the second half.
3. Udinese defended solidly as Roma pushed late but failed to equalise.

Roma Player Ratings vs Udinese

Check out AS Roma player ratings from the Serie A clash against Udinese:

Goalkeeper

Mile Svilar - 6.5: Couldn't do anything about the sublime free-kick that beat him. He made three saves, including a couple of decent stops to keep his team in the game. From our perspective, he had a solid enough game between the sticks, but that one moment of magic from the opposition was all it took. He distributed the ball reasonably well, but it was a quiet night otherwise.

Defenders

Evan Ndicka - 6.5: A very tidy performance. We noticed his 94% pass accuracy, which was impressive under pressure. He also made four key interceptions and was generally solid. The early yellow card was a slight blemish on an otherwise competent defensive display. He held his ground well for the most part.

Gianluca Mancini - 6.0: A real battler in the heart of defense. He was dominant in the air, winning seven aerial duels, but his distribution was a bit wayward. He picked up a yellow card and looked like he was walking a tightrope at times. A committed performance, but he struggled against the physicality of Udinese's forwards.

Mario Hermoso - 5.0: A difficult evening for the defender. He only won a quarter of his duels and committed four fouls, which really disrupted his rhythm. What stood out to us was his struggle to contain the runners on his side. He was substituted after 70 minutes, and honestly, it wasn't a surprise. A day to forget for him.

Midfielders

Wesley - 7.0: One of Roma's few bright sparks in attack. He was a constant threat with his dribbling, attempting eight runs at the defense. He forced a great save from the keeper and was always looking to make things happen. However, he also lost possession a staggering 21 times, which sums up Roma's frustrating night.

Bryan Cristante - 6.5: The captain put in a real shift. He was a giant in the air, winning 80% of his aerial duels. He saw a lot of the ball but his influence wasn't as decisive as he would have liked. He fought hard in the midfield battle but couldn't unlock the stubborn Udinese defense. A solid, if unspectacular, outing.

Neil El Aynaoui - 6.5: Extremely neat and tidy in possession. His 98% pass accuracy was astonishing, and he kept things ticking over in midfield. He also chipped in with two tackles and two interceptions. A very reliable performance before being substituted. He did his job without any fuss.

Zeki Çelik - 5.5: A very quiet game for the midfielder. He struggled to make any real impact going forward and his stats reflect an anonymous performance. He was eventually substituted after failing to impose himself on the match. We expected more from him on the flank.

Forwards

Matías Soulé - 6.0: He showed flashes of his quality, creating two chances for his teammates. However, his own shooting was off-target, and he was dispossessed a couple of times. He looked busy and involved but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. A frustrating performance, full of effort but little end product.

Lorenzo Pellegrini - 5.5: A really disappointing performance from a player of his caliber. He was neat in his passing but offered next to nothing in the final third. He picked up a silly yellow card and was substituted just after the hour mark. He seemed off the pace and couldn't influence the game at all.

Donyell Malen - 6.5: Arguably Roma's most dangerous attacker, which isn't saying much. He had one shot on target and created a chance but was often isolated. He tried to take players on but was frequently crowded out. A tireless effort, but he was fighting a losing battle against a well-drilled defense.

Substitutes

Substitutes: The substitutes brought on by Roma didn't have enough time or impact to warrant a full rating. They failed to change the course of the game against a resolute Udinese side.

Manager

G. Gasperini - 5.0: His team looked devoid of ideas in attack. Despite having plenty of possession, they couldn't create clear-cut chances. His tactical setup failed to break down a disciplined opponent, and his substitutions made little difference. A frustrating night on the touchline for the Roma boss.

Udinese Player Ratings vs Roma

Check out Udinese player ratings from the Serie A game:

Goalkeeper

Maduka Okoye - 8.5: What a performance. He was the undisputed man of the match for us. He made three crucial saves inside the box to preserve his team's clean sheet. He commanded his area with authority, claiming crosses and punching clear. A truly match-winning display from the goalkeeper.

Defenders

Oumar Solet - 7.5: An absolute rock at the back. He won an impressive 75% of his duels and made five clearances. He was calm and composed, reading the game beautifully. Aside from one missed chance early on, he was flawless defensively. A commanding performance that was key to the clean sheet.

Thomas Kristensen - 7.0: A warrior's display. He put his body on the line, blocking three shots and making six clearances. He was aggressive, sometimes overly so, which earned him a yellow card. But his commitment and bravery were immense. He was a nightmare for the Roma attackers to play against.

Nicolò Bertola - 6.5: A solid and understated performance. He did his job effectively without making any headlines. He was positionally sound and didn't take any unnecessary risks. A reliable component of a very well-drilled defensive unit before he was subbed off.

Midfielders

Kingsley Ehizibue - 7.0: A bundle of energy and aggression. He made five tackles but also gave away six fouls, playing right on the edge. His disruptive presence in midfield was crucial in breaking up Roma's rhythm. A chaotic but highly effective performance.

Jesper Karlström - 7.0: The captain led by example. He was calm on the ball, created a chance, and was diligent in his defensive duties. He provided the stability and composure needed in the center of the park. A really mature and intelligent performance.

Lennon Miller - 6.5: Another hardworking member of the midfield. He did the dirty work, making tackles and covering ground. His performance was functional rather than flashy, but it was exactly what his team needed. His energy was vital before he was taken off.

Jordan Zemura - 6.5: He was defensively solid on the flank, making three interceptions and winning the majority of his duels. He got a yellow card for his troubles but never shirked a challenge. Like many of his teammates, he prioritized defensive solidity over attacking flair, and it paid off.

Forwards

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp - 8.0: The match-winner. His goal was a moment of pure quality that lit up an otherwise gritty game. Beyond the goal, he was a constant threat, registering three shots on target. He was the difference-maker and fully deserves his high rating. What stood out to us was his confidence to take the shot on.

Arthur Atta - 6.0: He worked tirelessly but his final product was lacking. He got into good positions but his shooting was wayward. He lost the ball far too often, which was frustrating to watch. A high-effort, low-impact performance from the attacker.

Keinan Davis - 5.5: He was a physical handful before his injury-enforced substitution. He drew four fouls but struggled to hold onto the ball, losing it nine times in his 56 minutes. He was a nuisance, but his overall contribution was limited. We hope the injury is not too serious.

Substitutes

Substitutes: The Udinese substitutes helped see out the game, maintaining the team's defensive shape and energy levels. They played their part in securing a hard-fought victory.

Manager

K. Runjaic - 8.0: His game plan was executed to perfection. He set his team up to be compact, disciplined, and difficult to beat. They frustrated Roma and took their one golden opportunity. It was a tactical masterclass in how to win a football match against a team with more possession.

Man of the Match

Udinese keeper Maduka Okoye was the player of the match with a rating of 8.5/10.

Worst Performer

AS Roma's Mario Hermoso had a bad outing against Udinese Calcio.