Aldair on Malen's threat and Gasperini's demands: 'I would have struggled too'

Ruggiero Rizzitelli, a striker who played for Roma, Torino and Bayern in the 1980s and 1990s, has praised Donyell Malen's impact since his arrival at Roma. Speaking to Tuttosport, Rizzitelli backed the Dutch forward over Inter's Lautaro Martínez in a direct comparison. "In this moment I choose the Dutchman," Rizzitelli said. "Roma has changed gear. They found this striker from January who they really needed. You can play well, give your all, but without someone who puts the ball in the net you go nowhere. Malen has changed Roma." Rizzitelli drew a striking parallel between Malen and the legendary Ronaldo. "He is very quick, when I watch him play I think he resembles Ronaldo the Phenomenon in his speed, in his first steps. Malen's strength is that even if he has to face 3 or 4 players in front of him, he is not afraid to take them on." Asked whether a hypothetical Lautaro-Malen partnership would succeed, Rizzitelli envisioned devastating potential: "In two, they would score 40-50 goals collectively in a Serie A season." With Roma preparing to face Inter, Rizzitelli identified both forwards as leading contenders to decide the match. However, he expressed a different hope for the clash. "They are the main candidates to score, but I hope Dybala scores. A goal against Inter would completely unlock Paulo—he needs it."

Roma's defensive solidity has emerged as a cornerstone of their 2026–27 season under Gian Piero Gasperini. Conceding just one goal in the first four Serie A matches, Roma's back line shares the best defensive record across the top five European leagues with Arsenal. Mile Svilar's performances and a rotating system of centre-backs have maintained the unit's effectiveness throughout the early campaign. Leonardo Balerdi, who arrived on loan in the summer, is pushing to establish himself in the starting lineup for Roma's upcoming fixture against Inter, building on his display in the recent match at Turin. The Argentine centre-back's path to a permanent move is already mapped: Roma hold the option to buy him from Marseille for €16 million, with an obligation clause triggered by specific conditions relating to his playing time, total appearances, and Roma's qualification for European competitions. This rotation approach also keeps Daniele Ghilardi in the frame—he was unused against Turin but featured as a starter against Lecce and came on against Atalanta. Mario Hermoso is being monitored for an ankle contusion sustained recently, though the medical staff report no serious alarm. For Gasperini, the defensive depth offers substantial resources in a department that conceded 31 goals in the previous season, a figure bettered only by Como. The contrast underscores how effectively Roma's backline is functioning under his stewardship.

Roma's fixture against Inter will be shaped by tactical duels across the pitch, with the flanks emerging as the decisive battleground. Wesley and Federico Dimarco are set to be the principal actors in this wide play, with the Brazilian having been a key target for Gian Piero Gasperini during his time at Atalanta before joining Roma, where the coach has given him a new tactical role. Cristian Chivu considers Dimarco an irreplaceable cornerstone of Inter's system, while Gasperini has similarly tailored Wesley's position to suit his requirements. The two offer different qualities but carry equal importance in their respective teams' structures and will face direct opposition across the 90 minutes. Gasperini's tactical approach on Roma's left flank will be directly influenced by Dimarco's presence on Inter's left. On Roma's right flank, an open competition remains between Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina, with training sessions before the match set to determine which player is best suited to contain Inter's attacking raids. The wider picture of Roma's wing play is completed by Andy Diouf, deployed on the flanks by Chivu out of tactical necessity despite being primarily considered an attacking midfielder. Meanwhile, attention on the attacking front is inevitable, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading Roma's offensive threat against Inter's Lautaro Martínez and Marcus 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 praised the form of the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out Donyell Malen for particular acclaim. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former captain said many in Serie A now regard Malen as the strongest player in the league. "They are right—I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. "When he gets the ball he turns immediately and comes at you. Then he is fast and he sees the goal." Aldair believes Roma have improved substantially from last season and can challenge Inter for the title. "Roma is better than last season, they are well physically and mentally and always arrive first to the ball," he said. "Yes, they can fight all the way to the end with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench." He identified Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in the defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency. He also highlighted Leonardo Balerdi, noting that Gasperini's system demands an intense high pressing throughout matches. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult—no one can maintain that type of pressure all over the pitch for the entire match," Aldair explained. When asked whether he would have enjoyed playing under Gasperini, the former Roma icon expressed doubt: "I am not so sure I would have played. 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.

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.

Radio pundit Piero Torri has predicted that Evan N'Dicka will start for Roma in the upcoming match against Inter, citing the value of familiarity as potentially decisive. Torri suggested that Leonardo Balerdi would come on during the contest, and if Mario Hermoso does not recover from injury, Balerdi would play centrally with Hermoso moving to the left side. Torri assessed the fixture as crucial for Roma but acknowledged Inter as heavy favourites, noting that the Nerazzurri have dominated Serie A for five or six years while Roma represent something new. He said a draw would be acceptable given the circumstances, though Roma would take to the field intent on victory. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà, Torri said: "The value of familiarity can be decisive. For me even a point can go well. Roma will take to the field to win, but Inter are heavily favoured. For Roma it is a very important match; Inter have been there for 5–6 years. The Giallorossi are the novelty. Roma have many strong players—imagine if Greenwood and Moreira had arrived, we would have been far and away favourites for the title."

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 praised the form of the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out Donyell Malen for particular acclaim. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former captain said many in Serie A now regard Malen as the strongest player in the league. "They are right—I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. "When he gets the ball he turns immediately and comes at you. Then he is fast and he sees the goal." Aldair believes Roma have improved substantially from last season and can challenge Inter for the title. "Roma is better than last season, they are well physically and mentally and always arrive first to the ball," he said. "Yes, they can fight all the way to the end with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench." He identified Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in the defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency. He also highlighted Leonardo Balerdi, noting that Gasperini's system demands an intense high pressing throughout matches. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult—no one can maintain that type of pressure all over the pitch for the entire match," Aldair explained. When asked whether he would have enjoyed playing under Gasperini, the former Roma icon expressed doubt: "I am not so sure I would have played. 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.