Roma now sit four points outside the Serie A top four with five games left of the 2023-24 season as a result of Thursday evening’s 2-1 away league win against Udinese.
There was only 18 minutes of regular time played before stoppages on the night, as the game had picked up from where it left off on April 14, when proceedings were suspended as a result of Evan Ndicka’s collapse on the pitch.
Roberto Pereyra and Romelu Lukaku’s goals still stood from the first portion of the match 11 days ago, so things got back underway again at 1-1.
Bryan Cristante popped up in the area in the 95th minute to grab his third Serie A goal of the season, so not too much has changed in terms of the division’s top scorers. Lautaro Martinez (23) still has a seven-goal lead over Dusan Vlahovic (16) in the hunt for Capocannoniere status.
Boost for Roma in Champions League hunt
Roma’s win, however, has provided a big boost in their search for Champions League football for 2024-25. Fortunately for them, at least five Serie A sides are guaranteed a spot in Europe’s flagship competition next season.
The Giallorossi currently sit in fifth in the Serie A table with 58 points, four behind Bologna on 62 and six behind Juventus on 64. Daniele De Rossi’s side could still theoretically finish above Milan in second, but that would require at least an 11-point overhaul with just five games remaining.
Roma’s biggest threat appears to be Atalanta, currently in sixth, four points behind, but with an important game in hand. If La Dea win their extra match against Fiorentina, they will still be a point off Paulo Dybala and co.
Effect on Serie A relegation zone
It’s less of a pretty picture for Udinese. They sit in 17th in Serie A with 28 points, lingering just above the relegation zone, and are currently only safe on goal difference.
Frosinone, currently 18th and in the drop zone, but also on 28 points, have a goal difference of -23 compared to Udinese’s -19. They will play Salernitana on Friday.
Udinese’s loss to Roma means that Salernitana live to see another day in Serie A. They would have been mathematically relegated if Udinese ran out victors on Thursday evening.
Anything less than a win for Salernitana against Frosinone on Friday means that they will be relegated by the end of the night.
Click here for the updated Serie A table and goal scorers after Udinese 1-2 Roma.