Udinese claimed a rare moment of momentum in their Serie A campaign after edging past AS Roma 1–0, thanks to a fortuitous but deserved winner from Jurgen Ekkelenkamp. The narrow victory marked Udinese’s first back-to-back league wins since September and ended a frustrating run of six straight defeats against the Giallorossi.
Fast Start from the Hosts
Coming into the match with just one win in their previous six home league games, Udinese showed early intent in front of their fans in Udine. Arthur Atta tested Mile Svilar with a low drive, while Oumar Solet missed a golden opportunity from close range after Ekkelenkamp’s initial effort was spilled.
Roma slowly settled into the contest and began to dominate possession. Donyell Malen came closest for the visitors in the first half, but Maduka Okoye expertly saved his powerful strike from inside the box. Despite Roma boasting one of the strongest away defences in Europe, clear chances were limited, with Matías Soulé firing a dangerous free-kick just over the bar before half-time.
Ekkelenkamp Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough arrived moments after the restart. Ekkelenkamp unleashed a long-range free-kick that took a decisive deflection off Malen in the wall, completely wrong-footing Svilar and looping into the far corner.
It was a dream start for Udinese, who have an impressive record when scoring first this season. The hosts immediately shifted into a more disciplined shape, inviting Roma to push forward while looking to strike on the counter.
Roma Pressure, Udinese Resilience
Roma poured forward in search of an equaliser, but once again struggled with their finishing. Soulé failed to hit the target from the edge of the area, while Malen saw another effort blocked by a brave Thomas Thiesson Kristensen.
Late in the game, substitute Idrissa Gueye nearly doubled Udinese’s lead, only for Svilar to keep Roma alive with a sharp save. The visitors thought they had finally levelled when Bryan Cristante found the net in the dying moments, but VAR confirmed he was offside.
What the Result Means
The final whistle sparked celebrations in Udine as the Bianconeri secured a crucial three points and snapped a long-standing losing streak against Roma. For Gasperini’s side, it was another frustrating night where dominance in possession failed to translate into goals.
For Udinese, this win could be a turning point—proof that they can grind out results against top-five sides and build momentum for the rest of the season.
Bet on Serie A with Bangbet
If you enjoy thrilling matches like Udinese vs Roma, then Bangbet is your ultimate destination for football betting in Kenya. Bangbet offers competitive odds on all Serie A fixtures, live betting, instant payouts via M-Pesa, and exciting jackpots. Whether you’re backing underdogs or chasing big wins, Bangbet gives Kenyan fans the best platform to turn football passion into tangible rewards.
👉 Join Bangbet today and bet smarter on Europe’s most significant leagues.
