Aldair backs Malen's impact and Roma's title credentials under Gasperini

Andrea Stramaccioni, a former youth coach at Inter and now a Dazn pundit, has praised Roma's start to the season and believes the gap with the Serie A champions has closed. Speaking to Il Tempo, he highlighted the impact of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's methods and Roma's improving mentality. "I didn't expect Roma to start at this physical and mental level," Stramaccioni said. "Gasperini grows year on year because he gradually assembles players suited to his football." When asked whether the Scudetto could be a realistic objective, Stramaccioni pointed to the atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico as a catalyst for success. "I was at the Olimpico against Atalanta, and when the environment is in those conditions the squad gets carried along and everything becomes possible," he explained. He acknowledged that Inter remain the team to beat owing to the quality of their squad and their winning habit, but stressed that Roma's mentality has improved significantly in recent weeks. Stramaccioni also compared the attacking partnerships of the two clubs. "Paulo Dybala is the most creative player in Serie A, inventing chances behind a fast player living on the offside line like Malen," he said. "On Inter's side, they have a pairing with two strikers who always play in combination, one for the other, like Lautaro and Thuram."

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has assessed the current state of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. The former captain acknowledged Donyell Malen's quality in Serie A this season, saying: "They're right, I would have struggled too with him. When he gets the ball he turns immediately and goes at you. Then he's quick and he sees the goal." Aldair identified Roma and Como as the standout performers in the league, praising his former club's improvement: "Roma is better than last season, it's in good shape physically and mentally and always gets to the ball first." On the title race, Aldair believes Roma can genuinely compete with Inter. "Yes, they can fight all the way with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench," he said. The 59-year-old highlighted the difficulty of Gasperini's tactical system, noting that the pressing demands are extreme. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult, nobody manages that kind of full-pitch pressure for an entire match," he explained. Aldair singled out Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in Roma's defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency, and also mentioned Leonardo Balerdi's contributions. When asked whether he would have liked to play under Gasperini, Aldair expressed doubt about his own place in such a system: "I'm not so sure I would have played, you know? When I arrived there was still the libero."

Andrea Stramaccioni, the DAZN pundit and former Roma youth coach who later found success at Inter, previewed Saturday's Stadio Olimpico clash between Roma and Inter, saying Roma's start to the season has been more impressive than he expected. "I didn't imagine they would start at these levels physically and mentally," he told Il Tempo. "Gasperini grows year on year because he gradually assembles players suited to his football." Stramaccioni was bullish on Roma's title chances despite Inter remaining favourites. "The enthusiasm being generated is healthy and it drags the squad along. I was at the Olimpico against Atalanta, and when the environment is in those conditions the team gets lifted and everything becomes possible." He acknowledged that Inter remain the team to beat but noted that the gap has narrowed in mentality, if not in squad quality and winning habit. "Yes, especially in mentality," he said when asked if the gap between Roma and Inter has diminished. "But Inter still remains the team to beat for the quality of their squad and their habit of winning." Asked to compare Roma's attacking options with Inter's, Stramaccioni highlighted the different approaches. "Dybala is the most creative player in Serie A, inventing chances from deep for a quick player who lives on the offside line like Malen," he explained. "On Inter's side you have a pairing of two strikers who always play in combination with each other, like Lautaro and Thuram."

Roma legend Aldair has praised Gasperini's squad, singling out Donyell Malen as the strongest player in the team. "They are right to say he is the strongest; I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. On the title race, he added: "Roma can compete all the way with Inter." He also highlighted the defence, saying: "N'Dicka is making the difference, but Mancini and Hermoso always hold firm. And Balerdi — have you seen him?" Meanwhile, police have issued 16 Daspo (stadium bans) to Curva Sud supporters who were recorded performing a Roman salute during the Roma–Atalanta match on 5 September. The bans will last between one and five years and will prevent these supporters from attending Roma matches both in Rome and abroad. Four of those supporters have also been issued additional restrictions requiring them to report to police stations on match days when Roma play at home. Gasperini has brought a new defensive solidity to Roma. In the 2025–26 season, his team conceded just 0.82 goals per match—the best average of his managerial career. This trend began at Atalanta, where the side finished the 2024–25 campaign with 37 goals conceded. Gasperini now aims to improve that record further.

Roma travel to the Olimpico on Saturday with a perfect record—twelve points from four matches plus a draw in Istanbul—but face one of the season's sternest examinations against Inter and Chivu, a side that has historically troubled Gasperini. The head coach has the full squad available and must resolve three significant lineup decisions. At centre-back, Evan N'Dicka has returned to full fitness but Leonardo Balerdi is in outstanding form; the Ivorian holds a slight edge. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for one spot, with Lulli's superior defensive cover making him the favourite alongside Wesley on the left. In attack, Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starts. Matías Soulé leads Rodrigo Mora for the third forward slot, though a surprise could emerge through the possible advancement of either Niccolò Pisilli or Bryan Cristante to bolster midfield cover.

Andrea Stramaccioni, a former youth coach at Inter and now a Dazn pundit, has praised Roma's start to the season and believes the gap with the Serie A champions has closed. Speaking to Il Tempo, he highlighted the impact of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's methods and Roma's improving mentality. "I didn't expect Roma to start at this physical and mental level," Stramaccioni said. "Gasperini grows year on year because he gradually assembles players suited to his football." When asked whether the Scudetto could be a realistic objective, Stramaccioni pointed to the atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico as a catalyst for success. "I was at the Olimpico against Atalanta, and when the environment is in those conditions the squad gets carried along and everything becomes possible," he explained. He acknowledged that Inter remain the team to beat owing to the quality of their squad and their winning habit, but stressed that Roma's mentality has improved significantly in recent weeks. Stramaccioni also compared the attacking partnerships of the two clubs. "Paulo Dybala is the most creative player in Serie A, inventing chances behind a fast player living on the offside line like Malen," he said. "On Inter's side, they have a pairing with two strikers who always play in combination, one for the other, like Lautaro and Thuram."

Roma legend Aldair has praised Gasperini's squad, singling out Donyell Malen as the strongest player in the team. "They are right to say he is the strongest; I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. On the title race, he added: "Roma can compete all the way with Inter." He also highlighted the defence, saying: "N'Dicka is making the difference, but Mancini and Hermoso always hold firm. And Balerdi — have you seen him?" Meanwhile, police have issued 16 Daspo (stadium bans) to Curva Sud supporters who were recorded performing a Roman salute during the Roma–Atalanta match on 5 September. The bans will last between one and five years and will prevent these supporters from attending Roma matches both in Rome and abroad. Four of those supporters have also been issued additional restrictions requiring them to report to police stations on match days when Roma play at home. Gasperini has brought a new defensive solidity to Roma. In the 2025–26 season, his team conceded just 0.82 goals per match—the best average of his managerial career. This trend began at Atalanta, where the side finished the 2024–25 campaign with 37 goals conceded. Gasperini now aims to improve that record further.

Roma travel to the Olimpico on Saturday with a perfect record—twelve points from four matches plus a draw in Istanbul—but face one of the season's sternest examinations against Inter and Chivu, a side that has historically troubled Gasperini. The head coach has the full squad available and must resolve three significant lineup decisions. At centre-back, Evan N'Dicka has returned to full fitness but Leonardo Balerdi is in outstanding form; the Ivorian holds a slight edge. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for one spot, with Lulli's superior defensive cover making him the favourite alongside Wesley on the left. In attack, Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starts. Matías Soulé leads Rodrigo Mora for the third forward slot, though a surprise could emerge through the possible advancement of either Niccolò Pisilli or Bryan Cristante to bolster midfield cover.

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has assessed the current state of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. The former captain acknowledged Donyell Malen's quality in Serie A this season, saying: "They're right, I would have struggled too with him. When he gets the ball he turns immediately and goes at you. Then he's quick and he sees the goal." Aldair identified Roma and Como as the standout performers in the league, praising his former club's improvement: "Roma is better than last season, it's in good shape physically and mentally and always gets to the ball first." On the title race, Aldair believes Roma can genuinely compete with Inter. "Yes, they can fight all the way with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench," he said. The 59-year-old highlighted the difficulty of Gasperini's tactical system, noting that the pressing demands are extreme. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult, nobody manages that kind of full-pitch pressure for an entire match," he explained. Aldair singled out Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in Roma's defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency, and also mentioned Leonardo Balerdi's contributions. When asked whether he would have liked to play under Gasperini, Aldair expressed doubt about his own place in such a system: "I'm not so sure I would have played, you know? When I arrived there was still the libero."

Roma legend Aldair has praised Gasperini's squad, singling out Donyell Malen as the strongest player in the team. "They are right to say he is the strongest; I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. On the title race, he added: "Roma can compete all the way with Inter." He also highlighted the defence, saying: "N'Dicka is making the difference, but Mancini and Hermoso always hold firm. And Balerdi — have you seen him?" Meanwhile, police have issued 16 Daspo (stadium bans) to Curva Sud supporters who were recorded performing a Roman salute during the Roma–Atalanta match on 5 September. The bans will last between one and five years and will prevent these supporters from attending Roma matches both in Rome and abroad. Four of those supporters have also been issued additional restrictions requiring them to report to police stations on match days when Roma play at home. Gasperini has brought a new defensive solidity to Roma. In the 2025–26 season, his team conceded just 0.82 goals per match—the best average of his managerial career. This trend began at Atalanta, where the side finished the 2024–25 campaign with 37 goals conceded. Gasperini now aims to improve that record further.

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has assessed the current state of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. The former captain acknowledged Donyell Malen's quality in Serie A this season, saying: "They're right, I would have struggled too with him. When he gets the ball he turns immediately and goes at you. Then he's quick and he sees the goal." Aldair identified Roma and Como as the standout performers in the league, praising his former club's improvement: "Roma is better than last season, it's in good shape physically and mentally and always gets to the ball first." On the title race, Aldair believes Roma can genuinely compete with Inter. "Yes, they can fight all the way with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench," he said. The 59-year-old highlighted the difficulty of Gasperini's tactical system, noting that the pressing demands are extreme. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult, nobody manages that kind of full-pitch pressure for an entire match," he explained. Aldair singled out Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in Roma's defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency, and also mentioned Leonardo Balerdi's contributions. When asked whether he would have liked to play under Gasperini, Aldair expressed doubt about his own place in such a system: "I'm not so sure I would have played, you know? When I arrived there was still the libero."

Roberto Mancini's second era as Italy coach will begin with a squad built around young talent, with three players already earmarked for early call-ups. Mancini is prioritising players from different backgrounds eligible for the national team to build a long-term project. One prospect is a 20-year-old Roma academy graduate currently on loan at Cagliari for the season. Born to Swiss-Italian parents in Winterthur, he represented Switzerland throughout his youth career but switched to Italy for his senior international career. He has already made six appearances for Cagliari and scored one goal, becoming a mainstay in their midfield as the club has begun the season in strong form. A 19-year-old Treviso-born Italy youth international at Milan has impressed coach Ruben Amorim, featuring in every game thus far with two goals in four outings as a wide No. 10 in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system. Amorim believes he is ready for the Italy call-up—high praise given his track record with youngsters—and he is already part of the national setup. The third prospect is a 22-year-old midfielder born in Treviglio who moved to Sporting from Venezia this summer and has become a mainstay in their midfield with seven appearances, including one in the Champions League. Mancini has monitored him closely and recently flew to Lisbon to watch him play in person. An Italy U21 senior cap for the international is very much on the cards.