Balerdi: Roma has always been a dream for me

Roma have roughly 24 hours until their big match against Inter. Gasperini will resolve his final team selection doubts today, with the full squad available to him. Wesley's positioning remains uncertain—he could return to the right flank, with Nahuel Molina moving to the left to contain Dimarco. The squad will train this afternoon before retreating to Trigoria for the night, staying at the centre to maintain group cohesion and full concentration ahead of tomorrow's fixture. Gasperini is determined to prevent any lapse in focus for a match that already carries title-race significance.

Roma will train at their Trigoria base on 18 September ahead of tomorrow's match against Inter, with head coach Gasperini insisting the squad remain there overnight. The session comes after Gasperini's press conference, scheduled for 13:30. The overnight stay reflects the concentration and intensity Gasperini has demanded in what could prove a decisive fixture in the league standings. A brief session will follow in the morning, during which Gasperini will clarify his team selection and tactical approach for the contest. The fixture carries significant weight for Roma's early-season positioning in the table.

Street artist Drugi has unveiled a mural depicting Paulo Dybala as a superhero, complete with a cape in Roma's giallorossi colours. The work celebrates the special relationship between Dybala and Roma's fanbase, particularly younger supporters who have embraced the Argentine as one of their idols. Drugi accompanied the piece with the caption: "Every child has their superhero." Dybala is enjoying an impressive start to the 2026-27 season on the pitch. He has already provided five assists, four of them to teammate Donyell Malen, forming a partnership that has become one of the key weapons in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma side and captivating the club's supporters. The combination of Dybala's creative play and Malen's finishing has given fans reason for optimism as the campaign unfolds. With the new mural now immortalizing him in comic-book form, Dybala has gained a fictional alter ego to match his status among young Roma supporters—though for many giallorossi children, the forward's performances on the field may already be enough to qualify him as a superhero in their eyes.

Leonardo Balerdi's loan deal from Marseille contains a complex purchase structure tied directly to his match appearances. If the Argentine defender plays in at least 55% of Roma's fixtures across all competitions for a minimum of 45 minutes, the buyout becomes mandatory at €14 million. Should his appearance rate fall between 40 and 55%, the obligation drops to €11 million. Marseille has secured a protection clause requiring Roma to pay a minimum €9 million if Balerdi accumulates just 20% of minutes played in the second half of the season. Balerdi will earn €1.5 million annually under the loan agreement—a significantly reduced figure relative to his market value—with a salary increase guaranteed if Roma exercise the permanent transfer option from next season onwards.

Radja Nainggolan, the former Roma and Inter midfielder, reflected on his time in giallorosso colours during an interview with Radio Bruno Roma, touching on Sunday's Roma–Inter fixture and the club's summer recruitment. The big match remains Inter's to lose, he suggested: "I think Inter stay favourites to win the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri have built a strong squad, reached the Champions League final and have important reserves. The Scudetto Naples won last year, in my view, Inter lost. It will be a difficult match: Dybala can make the difference, he is a fantastic player." On Roma's transfer business, Nainggolan praised the early impact of defender Balerdi's personality and forward Santiago Castro's entry against Atalanta, though he noted Castro's latest display was less sharp. He believes Roma's new signings suit the team's current form. Back at the Olimpico for a match, he found the sold-out atmosphere striking: "When I was here it was different. If I have to thank Mourinho for one thing, it is that he brought people back to the stadium. The atmosphere is full, you see everyone singing: Roma is something else. It made an impression on me, it was a lovely experience." Asked whether Roma should attack or show more respect to Inter, Nainggolan insisted respect does not mean abandoning the offensive approach. "Roma has an identity, it has improved from last year. There is Mancini throwing himself forward too: these are things you notice. A team that wants to win must have its identity." On the goalkeeping contest, he rated Svilar's form: "Svilar played really well last year and he is confirming it. Martínez, on the other hand, is in his first year as starter: you feel the pressure. In the second goal against Udinese you see his error, but a goalkeeper has to make mistakes to learn." Pressed on defence, he would choose stability over the physical presence of N'Dicka or Balerdi for such a clash: "For a match like this, putting Balerdi in can be risky. I don't know what Gasperini will choose, but I would play with the more stable ones." On his departure from Roma itself, Nainggolan was candid. He said: "The first chance to play in Serie A was Roma: I would never have left, I did everything for Roma. The people respected me. But my personality is what it is: I hate falseness and false people, and when something goes against my values, I go. If you had asked me back then if I was happy to go to Inter or sad to leave Roma, I would have said I was sadder to leave Roma. I turned down offers from Chelsea and China to stay." He added that in today's Roma, with Malen's depth runs and the team's attacking philosophy, he would have thrived: "In this Roma I would have been well, I would have enjoyed myself. But unfortunately the era is different."

Leonardo Balerdi has opened up on his early weeks at Roma, revealing that he made the transfer non-negotiable after years at Marseille. In an interview with Il Tempo, the Argentine defender said he felt settled already: "I feel as if I've been here for at least three months. I've been welcomed brilliantly by everyone." He was adamant about his destination, telling the club: "There were other teams but at that point I said that if I didn't come here I would have stayed at Marseille." Balerdi described his Roma shirt as destiny. He explained: "When I had Strootman as a teammate I asked him to get me a Roma shirt, which I still keep at home. It was meant to be that I would wear it one day." He has also quickly built connections with his new teammates, singling out Manu Koné as particularly impressive. "Koné is an animal," he said. "I really like him a lot. The same with Malen—he was scoring lots of goals as soon as he arrived and he keeps doing it. Svilar as well. Maybe these three, apart from Dybala, have impressed me especially." On his style of play, Balerdi said he prefers a central defensive role: "By my characteristics I can play better as a centre-back. I like playing in open field as we saw in Turin. At Marseille it was the same; I'm used to it." He acknowledged areas for development: "I still need to understand the defence's movements better. I want to grow mentally too. I'm not setting any limits." He is also thriving under Gasperini's coaching methods. "I get on well with his instructions. I feel that physically I improve day by day. His way of training is an advantage for me because in matches I feel strong." Looking ahead, Balerdi framed the Inter fixture as pivotal: "We must win without looking at who we have in front of us. A match that can give us the decisive click for the rest of the season." He concluded with his personal aims: "I want to do everything to stay here for a long time. Both in the national team and at Roma I want to win a trophy."

Radja Nainggolan, the former Roma and Inter midfielder, reflected on his time in giallorosso colours during an interview with Radio Bruno Roma, touching on Sunday's Roma–Inter fixture and the club's summer recruitment. The big match remains Inter's to lose, he suggested: "I think Inter stay favourites to win the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri have built a strong squad, reached the Champions League final and have important reserves. The Scudetto Naples won last year, in my view, Inter lost. It will be a difficult match: Dybala can make the difference, he is a fantastic player." On Roma's transfer business, Nainggolan praised the early impact of defender Balerdi's personality and forward Santiago Castro's entry against Atalanta, though he noted Castro's latest display was less sharp. He believes Roma's new signings suit the team's current form. Back at the Olimpico for a match, he found the sold-out atmosphere striking: "When I was here it was different. If I have to thank Mourinho for one thing, it is that he brought people back to the stadium. The atmosphere is full, you see everyone singing: Roma is something else. It made an impression on me, it was a lovely experience." Asked whether Roma should attack or show more respect to Inter, Nainggolan insisted respect does not mean abandoning the offensive approach. "Roma has an identity, it has improved from last year. There is Mancini throwing himself forward too: these are things you notice. A team that wants to win must have its identity." On the goalkeeping contest, he rated Svilar's form: "Svilar played really well last year and he is confirming it. Martínez, on the other hand, is in his first year as starter: you feel the pressure. In the second goal against Udinese you see his error, but a goalkeeper has to make mistakes to learn." Pressed on defence, he would choose stability over the physical presence of N'Dicka or Balerdi for such a clash: "For a match like this, putting Balerdi in can be risky. I don't know what Gasperini will choose, but I would play with the more stable ones." On his departure from Roma itself, Nainggolan was candid. He said: "The first chance to play in Serie A was Roma: I would never have left, I did everything for Roma. The people respected me. But my personality is what it is: I hate falseness and false people, and when something goes against my values, I go. If you had asked me back then if I was happy to go to Inter or sad to leave Roma, I would have said I was sadder to leave Roma. I turned down offers from Chelsea and China to stay." He added that in today's Roma, with Malen's depth runs and the team's attacking philosophy, he would have thrived: "In this Roma I would have been well, I would have enjoyed myself. But unfortunately the era is different."

Roma host Inter on Saturday in a high-profile fixture drawing extraordinary media attention: 61 photographers, over 250 journalists, more than 50 outlets and 8 foreign broadcasters are accredited, with coverage expected from China, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and major European nations. Ed Shipley, Dan Friedkin's right-hand man, has arrived at Trigoria, and a surprise visit from Ryan Friedkin is not ruled out. Former Roma striker Marco Delvecchio has weighed in on the matchup between Roma's Donyell Malen and Inter's Lautaro Martinez ahead of the Olimpico encounter. Delvecchio said: "In the final twenty metres, today, I see Malen a step above Lautaro." He praised the Dutchman for his speed of execution and quality of first touch, while acknowledging Lautaro's superiority in aerial play. On output, Delvecchio predicted: "I say 25 goals for Malen and 20 for Lautaro." Inter's interest in Roma players stretches back years. In summer 2025, the Nerazzurri considered Mile Svilar before his contract renewal; in 2024 they came close to signing Mario Hermoso but pulled out. More recently they assessed Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini, and Nahuel Molina as a possible alternative to Dumfries. The most significant detail involves Manu Koné: in August 2025, Inter's Ausilio reportedly reached an agreement worth 40 million euros before Roma's ownership blocked the deal. In 2022, Dybala's agent also reached an understanding with Inter, which ultimately pivoted to Lukaku's return. Gasperini faces two key selection decisions before Saturday. In defence, Leonardo Balerdi, standout performer against Torino, threatens Evan N'Dicka's place, while on the right flank Emanuele Lulli could start ahead of Molina. Mario Hermoso is fit, Wesley returns at left-back, and Matías Soulé is favoured over Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role. Gasperini and Inter's Chivu will meet as opponents after both having served the club they face on Saturday. Chivu once called Gasperini "an example, an innovator," and Gasperini reciprocated: "I have always held great regard for him." Gasperini carries a painful memory of his Inter spell, which ended after just five matches.

Inter have tracked several Roma players across multiple transfer windows, with some coming closer to a move than others. Mile Svilar was a target in summer 2025 before he renewed his contract with Roma, while contacts were made with Gianluca Mancini's representatives in early July when his deal was set to expire in 2027. Nahuel Molina was examined as a possible replacement for Dumfries, and in spring Inter president Marotta considered Lorenzo Pellegrini as an option. The most serious pursuit came in summer 2025 when director Ausilio agreed a deal with Roma's then sporting director Massara for Manu Koné on 15 August—reportedly worth 40 million euros plus bonuses—but Roma's ownership halted the transfer following supporter unrest. Paulo Dybala represents perhaps the most intriguing near-miss. In June 2022, fresh from leaving Juventus, his agent secured an agreement with Inter for a contract worth 6 million euros. The move collapsed when Inter owner Zhang hesitated, head coach Simone Inzaghi harboured doubts about the fit, and the club could not offload Alexis Correa elsewhere. Inter ultimately pivoted to bringing Romelu Lukaku back on loan instead. The article, published by Federico Masini in Tuttosport, frames these overlapping negotiations as a series of alternate paths in the transfer market. It traces how each of these Roma players—Svilar, Mancini, Pellegrini, Molina, Koné and Dybala—has at different times occupied Inter's thinking, whether as established targets or passing considerations.

Roma host Inter on Saturday in a high-profile fixture drawing extraordinary media attention: 61 photographers, over 250 journalists, more than 50 outlets and 8 foreign broadcasters are accredited, with coverage expected from China, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and major European nations. Ed Shipley, Dan Friedkin's right-hand man, has arrived at Trigoria, and a surprise visit from Ryan Friedkin is not ruled out. Former Roma striker Marco Delvecchio has weighed in on the matchup between Roma's Donyell Malen and Inter's Lautaro Martinez ahead of the Olimpico encounter. Delvecchio said: "In the final twenty metres, today, I see Malen a step above Lautaro." He praised the Dutchman for his speed of execution and quality of first touch, while acknowledging Lautaro's superiority in aerial play. On output, Delvecchio predicted: "I say 25 goals for Malen and 20 for Lautaro." Inter's interest in Roma players stretches back years. In summer 2025, the Nerazzurri considered Mile Svilar before his contract renewal; in 2024 they came close to signing Mario Hermoso but pulled out. More recently they assessed Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini, and Nahuel Molina as a possible alternative to Dumfries. The most significant detail involves Manu Koné: in August 2025, Inter's Ausilio reportedly reached an agreement worth 40 million euros before Roma's ownership blocked the deal. In 2022, Dybala's agent also reached an understanding with Inter, which ultimately pivoted to Lukaku's return. Gasperini faces two key selection decisions before Saturday. In defence, Leonardo Balerdi, standout performer against Torino, threatens Evan N'Dicka's place, while on the right flank Emanuele Lulli could start ahead of Molina. Mario Hermoso is fit, Wesley returns at left-back, and Matías Soulé is favoured over Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role. Gasperini and Inter's Chivu will meet as opponents after both having served the club they face on Saturday. Chivu once called Gasperini "an example, an innovator," and Gasperini reciprocated: "I have always held great regard for him." Gasperini carries a painful memory of his Inter spell, which ended after just five matches.

Ahead of the big match between Roma and Inter, the transfer market reveals a thread connecting the two clubs over recent years: failed negotiations, hidden probes and shared targets that have intertwined their strategies from goalkeeper to attack. Inter considered Mile Svilar before his 2025 renewal, and came close to signing Mario Hermoso in 2024 before Oaktree's green-line policy on free transfers halted the move. The Nerazzurri also evaluated Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini, though the latter never wavered in his commitment to Roma despite Inter's interest. The clubs also conducted scouting missions for Nahuel Molina and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the flanks and in midfield. The biggest near-miss involved Manu Koné: in summer 2025, Inter reached an agreement worth 40 million euros, but Roma's ownership blocked the deal after a strong reaction from the supporters. The greatest regret for Inter remains Paulo Dybala, who came very close to joining the Nerazzurri in 2022. Zhang began to waver, Inzaghi was not entirely convinced, and Inter ultimately chose to pursue Lukaku's return on loan instead. That decision effectively cleared the path for Dybala's historic move to Roma.

Roma train today ahead of Saturday's match against Inter, with the squad staying overnight at Trigoria to maintain focus on the fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini has all players available, including Mario Hermoso, who has recovered from a minor ankle injury and will start. The Spanish defender will line up alongside Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini in defence, though Leonardo Balerdi remains a consideration. Gasperini's main tactical uncertainty centres on Roma's full-back positions. Wesley will feature, but the coach has not yet settled on which flank to deploy him. The Brazilian has been tested on the right in recent training sessions—a clear attempt to counter the threat posed by Inter's Dimarco. If Wesley is positioned on the right, Nahuel Molina will occupy the left flank, with Emanuele Lulli omitted from that scenario. Alternatively, Gasperini could use the young full-back on the right, a position where he has featured in all league matches this season and has outperformed Molina in recent fitness tests. Gasperini has the final hours to decide on his approach, knowing the stakes are high for what promises to be a decisive encounter. The coach is aware that victory will require a flawless performance from his side.