AS Roma suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat against Udinese in the 23rd week of Serie A at Bluenergy Stadium on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini admitted that luck was not on Roma’s side as the team struggled to break down the hosts.
Playing away from home, I Giallorossi dominated possession early in the match, holding 64 percent of the ball compared to Udinese’s 36 percent, according to Fotmob statistics. Despite controlling possession, Roma could only register 10 shots, with three on target, while Udinese managed four clear chances from seven attempts.
Ekkelenkamp Decides the Match
The game remained tightly contested until the 49th minute, when Jurgen Ekkelenkamp scored a sublime free-kick to give Udinese the lead. Roma pushed for an equalizer but were unable to break through the Bianconeri defense.
The defeat leaves AS Roma in fifth place with 43 points, just two points behind Juventus in fourth, while Udinese climbs to ninth with 32 points.
Gasperini Points to Bad Luck
Gasperini acknowledged the difficulty of facing Udinese and highlighted that luck played a decisive role in the result.
“Undoubtedly, playing against Udinese is never easy. We lacked precision in the final third and missed by a few centimeters in the final moments,” Gasperini explained.
“The goal we conceded clearly shows that fortune was not on our side tonight. Nevertheless, we leave with our heads held high and the determination to keep improving,” he added.
Roma’s Near Equalizers
Roma had two golden opportunities in the closing minutes to level the score. Bryan Cristante’s 90th-minute goal was ruled out for offside after Kostas Tsimikas was in an offside position. Shortly after, Gianluca Mancini nearly scored from close range, but Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye made a critical fingertip save right on the goal line.
Despite these chances, Roma struggled to create meaningful threats throughout the match. Gasperini described the contest as a tight and tactical battle.
“This was a very closed game. Udinese also had only a few long-range shots. It was difficult for both sides to construct clear attacks,” Gasperini said.
He added, “We tried to do more offensively. Even with five or six players in the box, it became an opportunity, although we failed to convert. I still feel we were more aggressive in these situations.”
Tactical Observations
The match highlighted Roma’s possession dominance but lack of clinical finishing. While Udinese defended compactly, Gasperini emphasized the need for greater accuracy in the final third.
Udinese’s approach was pragmatic, focusing on defensive solidity and exploiting set-piece opportunities, which ultimately proved decisive. Ekkelenkamp’s free-kick exemplified how a single moment of quality could decide a tightly contested match.
Implications for Serie A Standings
With this loss, Roma remains in fifth place, chasing Juventus for the final Champions League qualifying spot. The narrow gap underscores the competitive nature of Serie A’s top half, where every point is crucial for European qualification.
Gasperini’s comments reflect the team’s awareness that small margins and a bit of misfortune can determine outcomes against well-organized sides like Udinese.
Looking Forward
AS Roma will need to recover quickly as the Serie A season intensifies. Gasperini is likely to analyze finishing efficiency and final-third decision-making to improve results in upcoming fixtures.
Despite the defeat, the team’s possession dominance shows that Roma can control games but must translate it into goals. Maintaining composure and accuracy in the decisive moments will be key for the remainder of the season.
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