Udinese 1 - 2 AS Roma: Edin Dzeko strike helps Roma to victory at Udinese

Posted Monday, March 14, 2016 by PA

Roma remain an outside bet in the Serie A title race after beating Udinese 2-1 to register an eighth straight victory.

Luciano Spalletti has reinvigorated the Giallorossi since replacing Rudi Garcia as head coach and a bright start at the Stadio Friuli produced Edin Dzeko's opening goal.

Alessandro Florenzi made the points safe in the second half, with Bruno Fernandes' late consolation providing little comfort for under-fire Udinese boss Stefano Colantuono.

Roma started strongly with Dzeko forcing an early save from Orestis Karnezis before Diego Perotti made Udinese's goalkeeper punch the ball to safety.

In the 15th minute, shortly after Stephan El Shaarawy had been denied from close range, Dzeko made the breakthrough.

Perotti's pass put Mohamed Salah into a position to feed the Bosnian and he jinked into the box before beating Karnezis with a right-foot shot.

Udinese responded well, however. Wojciech Szczesny pulled off a fine stop against Francesco Lodi and, shortly after half-time, Ervin Zukanovic almost deflected Cyril Thereau's rocket beyond his own keeper.

Substitute Duvan Zapata headed against a post as the Bianconeri attempted to turn the screw, but the next goal would be scored by Roma.

The capital club pulled two goals clear thanks to a magnificent team move in the 74th minute - Miralem Pjanic created a pocket in the middle, pinged the ball forward for Florenzi, and the Roman's first-time volley screamed past the helpless Karnezis.

Fernandes ensured a tense finale by beating Szczesny at his far post to slash the deficit with five minutes remaining.