Roma sent a message to the rest of Serie A that they are serious about challenging Juventus' dominance with a 4-0 thumping of an unimaginative Udinese, in which man-of-the-match Diego Perotti scored twice, with Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah also netting. Roma are now unbeaten in 18 league games.
Positives
Perotti was outstanding from the second he came on as a 57th-minute substitute for Stephan El Shaarawy, while Leandro Paredes oozed class on his return to the Roma midfield. What was most impressive, however, was how cohesive a team Roma looked once they got their act together in the second half.
Negatives
The first half was tedium itself, with Roma playing way too narrow and, as a result, repeatedly charging headlong into Udinese's unruffled back four.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Roma needed a rocket at half-time and, whatever Luciano Spalletti said, it worked. Even before Perotti's introduction his side were at Udinese and that aggression was rewarded with a fine win.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Wojciech Szczesny, 5 -- Had very little to do for most of the game, but did what there was perfectly adequately.
DF Bruno Peres, 6 -- Way too timid in the first half, but after the break offered a glimpse of the attacking prowess that so won over fans in Torino, as he offered width that was sorely lacking in the opening period.
DF Kostas Manolas, 6 -- Roma didn't have a huge amount to deal with but the Giallorosso defence still looks vulnerable to crosses. The Greek has to start taking responsibility for his team's defensive shape.
DF Thomas Vermaelen, 6 -- Thankfully there was no repeat of the Belgian's calamitous midweek antics against Porto; he looked much better alongside Manolas.
DF Emerson Palmieri, 6 -- Like Peres, he offered plenty of width going forward as Roma tried to stretch a compact Udinese that was looking to escape with a draw.
MF Radja Nainggolan, 7 -- Set up Roma's third with a sneaky sliding pass to Dzeko that gave the Bosnian a simple tap-in. Warmed up nicely in the second half after a subdued first 45 minutes.
MF Leandro Paredes, 8 -- Started the move that led to Salah's goal with an absolutely sumptuous pass to Perotti and looked a perfect fit in the Roma midfield.
MF Kevin Strootman, 7 -- A typically physical and authoritative display from the Dutchman who, alongside Paredes, orchestrated Roma's blistering second half destruction.
FW Mohamed Salah, 8 -- The Egyptian came out for the second half in top form and caused havoc on the right. His late tap-in was just reward for a fine performance.
FW Edin Dzeko, 7 -- Deservedly opened his account after a bustling display that would have given him a brace but for an outstanding save from Orestis Karnezis.
FW Stephan El Shaarawy, 5 -- The Italian international always seems to play better with Perotti as a false nine rather than alongside Dzeko, and rightly made way for the Argentine early in the second half.
Substitutes:
FW Diego Perotti, 9 -- Changed the course of the game, not just with his two spot kicks, but with the sort of cut and thrust that liberated the rest of the attack to get at Udinese. A magical 30-minute display.
DF Juan Jesus, NR -- Came on for the more attack-minded Emerson almost immediately after Perotti's second penalty as Spalletti looked to close out the match.
DF Federico Fazio, NR -- Made his Roma debut by replacing Manolas with the game as good as won and enjoyed a 10 minute stroll against a demoralised away team.