AS Roma is currently enjoying the consequences of the great transfer window, as they are yet to be defeated and in fact can be Serie A leaders if they manage to defeat Udinese tonight. And coach Jose Mourinho is currently all smiles, but let’s just wait for the first result crisis. The Portuguese also had the benefit of a good schedule at the begging of the season. Since the opening day, Roma played against three relegation-threatening clubs (Monza, Cremonese and Salernitana) and their only draw so far came from Juventus.Your #SerieA💎 Coach of the Month for August: @ASRomaEN boss José Mourinho! 👏— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) September 3, 2022 Udinese are currently in 8th place with just 3 points less than Roma, but Mourinho’s team has a tradition on his side. Roma are unbeaten in 17 of the last 19 Serie A games against Udinese and kept 10 clean sheets. Roma could win at least four of the opening five Serie A games of the season for the third time in history. Even the newly signed striker Andrea Belotti has a good record against Udinese, as he scored 7 goals against them during his career. Roma is also tough at the back since they only allowed one goal so far (against Juventus), but this team are no Monza.One Guinean out, one Guinean in – Mourinho signs CamaraAnd Mourinho knows it and is trying to do whatever is needed in order to assure his team is on the winning side, even if it means putting the pressure on referees before the game.“Udinese are a very, very tough side. Among the hardest in the league. They are a side that know how to play, know how to compete; they are smart and sly and know how to manage games in the way they want them to go. They have that intelligence and experience to also find a way to sway the referee” said the Portuguese tactician before the match.Transfer window through the numbers – guess who is the bestEbrima Darboe, Gini Wijnaldum, Stephan El Shaarawy, Marash Kumbulla and Nicolo Zaniolo are all out for Roma. Mourinho will have a tough task choosing the player on the flanks with Rick Karsdorp or Zeki Celik, Leonardo Spinazzola or Nicola Zalewski available. Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Tammy Abraham will all start up front again, as he doesn’t plan to rotate his attackers (yet).“If you look at the size of the squad, obviously I would like to still have Jordan Veretout here, for example. Obviously I would like to have another central defender. Obviously I would have liked to have Felix Afena-Gyan, even if he is young and in his place we managed to bring in Andrea Belotti. But he’s a player, a kid we’ve taken on with a lot of potential to improve. But we have these limitations which make things a little bit tougher. But that’s fine, we’ll still have fun regardless” explained Mourinho.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 5SaturdayFiorentina – Juventus 1-1 (1-1)/Kouame 29 – Milik 9/Milan – Inter 3-2 (1-1)/Leao 28, 60, Giroud 54 – Brozovic 21, Dzeko 67/Lazio – Napoli 1-2 (1-1)/Zaccagni 4 – Min-jae 38, Kvaratskhelia 61/Sunday Cremonese – Sassuolo 0-016.00: (3.05) Spezia (3.35) Bologna (2.55)19.00: (2.14) Verona (3.50) Sampdoria (3.80)21.45: (4.20) Udinese (3.60) Roma (1.99)Monday 19.30: (6.25) Monza (4.30) Atalanta (1.61)19.30: (2.40) Salernitana (3.35) Empoli (3.30)21.45: (1.84) Torino (3.70) Lecce (5.00)***odds are subject to change
