Having picked up just one win from their last six home SA games (D2, L3), Udinese looked determined to start on the front foot against the Giallorossi.
Arthur Atta saw a low early strike saved by Mile Svilar in the visitors’ goal, before Oumar Solet spurned a glorious chance from inside the six-yard box after Ekkelenkamp’s initial effort had been parried away.
Grateful to still be on level terms, Roma grew into the contest as the first half progressed, with Donyell Malen going close from 12 yards, only to be denied by a smart stop from Maduka Okoye.
Armed with the best away defence in Europe’s top-five leagues ahead of the round, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men continued to improve as half time approached. However, clear-cut openings were in short supply in Udine, with Matías Soulé firing a promising free-kick narrowly over the bar.
It was a dream start to the second period for the hosts, as Ekkelenkamp’s free-kick from range deflected off Malen in the wall and into the far corner beyond the outstretched dive of Svilar.
Having dropped points in just one of their eight league games when scoring first (W7, D1), Udinese looked to contain the visitors, and with time ticking into the final half-hour, Soulé missed the target with a half-chance on the edge of the box.
Roma’s lack of cutting edge in the final third continued to prove problematic, as Malen saw a dangerous strike bravely blocked by Thomas Thiesson Kristensen.
Gasperini’s side – unbeaten in 11 of the last 13 H2Hs (W9, D2, L2) – refused to give up hope in the closing stages, seeing plenty of the ball deep in Udinese’s half.
However, for all their pressure, it was the hosts who went close to scoring a decisive second when substitute Idrissa Gueye was denied by Svilar.
Roma did have the ball in the net late on through Bryan Cristante, but the midfielder’s effort was swiftly ruled out for offside as the Bianconeri held firm to secure a hard-earned three points, snapping a run of six consecutive H2H defeats in the process.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (Udinese)