Cardiff: Malen trains separately as Roma work out non-starters from Newport

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the media ahead of Roma's Serie A clash with Inter, the fifth fixture of the season. The head coach expressed satisfaction with Roma's trajectory, stating: "We must be satisfied with the path we are taking. There is plenty of positive energy." Gasperini's comments reflect Roma's early-season performance as they prepare to face one of Serie A's strongest opponents. The remarks suggest the squad is building momentum and morale heading into a demanding fixture.

Matías Soulé expressed frustration after Roma's 2–2 draw with Inter, saying the team had every reason to believe they would win the match. 'I'm really tired and a bit disappointed,' he told DAZN. 'We were ahead and we drew.' Soulé credited head coach Gasperini with helping him overcome a pubic bone injury that limited his training during the previous season. 'I feel very good, I've got past the issue with pubalgia. Last year I couldn't train properly, but this year is different,' he said. He acknowledged the challenge of playing on the left wing rather than his preferred right flank, where Paulo Dybala operates. 'Playing on the left I need to adapt, I'm learning. There's Paulo on the right who makes a difference and I need to try to give my contribution.' Soulé noted that the small gap between Roma and Inter remains significant. 'It's still early, they've been the strongest for years. There's disappointment because we were ahead but this draw should give us extra motivation,' he said. On the competition for places in the squad, he added: 'Obviously we're all available, we're a very competitive team and whoever starts gives their all, just like those who come on in the second half. The level has risen a lot compared to last year.'

Roma take on Inter in their fifth Serie A match of the season at the Olimpico, with defender Gianluca Mancini in the spotlight after rejecting approaches from the Nerazzurri during the summer transfer window. Mancini committed his future to Roma by signing a new contract through 2029, turning down Inter's interest to extend his stay at the club. The Curva Sud supporters' section marked the occasion with a banner reading: "In a game where only money counts, there is someone who listened to his heart… honour to Gianluca Mancini." The display underscores the depth of feeling among Roma's ultras towards a player who chose loyalty over a potential move to one of Serie A's biggest clubs.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico in a match shaped by a stark contrast between the sides' first and second halves. Manu Koné scored twice for Roma—once to open the scoring early and again to double the lead—but Lautaro Martínez levelled before the interval ended and added a second in the second half, when Roma's resistance crumbled. The hosts began with intensity and control under Gasperini, but a pattern of conceding goals immediately after the restart proved decisive once more. Several Roma players arrived for the match with depleted energy; the upcoming international break will offer a chance to recharge. Mancini had a difficult afternoon and took responsibility for Roma's defensive lapses, notably on Martínez's first goal. Balerdi was composed and physical against Thuram, lasting just over an hour before withdrawal. Hermoso maintained positional discipline but lacked sharpness in execution. Wesley patrolled the flank tirelessly, shutting down Dimarco's advances repeatedly. Cristante operated as the engine room, covering more ground than any other Roma player. Koné's two-goal display was the bright spark—a particularly sharp irony given he could have joined Inter instead—though his early withdrawal raised questions about fatigue management. Dybala orchestrated Roma's attacking play in the first half with incisive passes that set up Koné's goals and fulfilled defensive duties, though he too faded after the break. Soulé provided quality when he found space, running the full 90 minutes with consistency. Malen troubled Bastoni with his movement and nearly broke through. Molina crafted the assist for Koné's opener with an impeccable header after reading the play perfectly. N'Dicka entered at the hour mark and worked to hold the defensive line steady, earning a yellow card for a necessary foul on Thuram. Pisilli came on at 59 minutes but lacked Koné's substance and appeared tentative. Rensch struggled to impose himself when Inter pressed hard. Ghilardi joined the proceedings at 65 minutes and quickly picked up a yellow card; his challenge on Thuram was insufficient. Koulierakis received a caution immediately upon entering late on. Svilar made a miraculous save from a corner and could not be faulted for the two Martínez finishes, maintaining his high standards throughout. Gasperini had urged the team to tighten up after the interval, yet Roma conceded again in the second half and allowed Inter back into the contest. The manager salvaged a point against a strong opponent, though the manner of the collapse—defensive errors and fatigue after 59 minutes of substitutions—left room for frustration. The international break arrives at a timely moment to restore freshness across the squad.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Stadio Olimpico in the fifth Serie A fixture, with Manu Koné scoring twice—one with his right foot and one with his left—to stake his claim as a goalscoring midfielder. Leonardo Balerdi delivered a commanding performance in defence, described as responding vertiginously to elevated opposition, while Gianluca Mancini's error in the build-up to Lautaro's goal proved costly and underlined persistent weaknesses in the back line. The result leaves Roma with 13 points from five matches heading toward the league pause, a strong midpoint standing that reflects the substantial work undertaken by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The first-half display was described as superb, though the second half saw Roma lack some cunning; multiple defensive changes—Evan N'Dicka replacing Mancini at the 60-minute mark, Daniele Ghilardi coming on for Balerdi at the 65th—raised questions about defensive stability. Bryan Cristante posted a towering first half, then offered steady if less prominent contributions thereafter, while Nahuel Molina provided the assist for Koné's opening goal and maintained substance and quality throughout. Mile Svilar made himself unbeatable in low-pressure situations, forcing Bisseck to collide with him, though he was beaten by Lautaro's ruthless second-half finish. Paulo Dybala's display was marked by high-quality play and enviable fitness; the article notes that if he rediscovered his scoring touch he would be the league's strongest player, and he has now adopted the role of playmaker. Matías Soulé offered another convincing showing but lacked the final pass, while Donyell Malen worked extensively across the offensive line but missed the sharpness of the last metres—a beautiful overhead kick struck Martínez full in the face without finding the target. Niccolò Pisilli faced difficulty matching his French counterpart and felt the squad's second-half dip acutely, while Devyne Rensch's effort lacked quality on entry. Gasperini recorded a rating of 6, with the assessment that despite the defensive reshuffles raising some doubts, arriving at the pause with 13 points after five matches represents an excellent account.

Inter came from two goals down to draw 1-1 with Roma on Saturday in a top-table Serie A fixture, extending their unbeaten record under Cristian Chivu's management. Roma dominated the opening 45 minutes and twice found the net through Manu Koné, who scored his first goals of the 2026–27 season. Koné latched onto a Nahuel Molina cross early on, then doubled his tally at the end of the first half from close range as Inter's finishing let them down repeatedly. Yann Bisseck missed a glorious chance to restore parity midway through the first period, and Lautaro Martinez squandered another opportunity when he failed to keep a low Federico Dimarco cross on target at the far post. Inter's comeback began in the first minute of the second half when Lautaro slotted home a left-footed finish to pull one back. The Argentine forward then leveled the score in the 79th minute with a venomous strike, keeping the reigning champions' Scudetto defence unbeaten. Milan Svilar made a massive save to deny Donyell Malen from close range and keep Inter in the contest. The result denied Roma their first home win in this fixture since 2016, as Chivu's side demonstrated the resilience that has become their hallmark this season. Lautaro earned a 9/10 rating for his performance, unfazed by his early miss and finishing with his weaker right foot to fire Inter back into the game before striking home a thumping half-volley. Marcus Thuram was instrumental to Inter's second-half resurgence, earning an 8/10 after a near-anonymous first half and assisting Lautaro's first goal with a delightful cutback. Bisseck received a 5/10 for spurning his sitter and losing track of Gianluca Mancini, who involuntarily assisted Koné's second goal. Federico Dimarco also rated 6/10, as Roma's quick transitions exposed his defensive weaknesses with both Giallorossi goals coming from his flank, though he was decent in the final third. Manuel Akanji was lucky to escape with just a yellow card for a cynical tackle on Malen on the stroke of halftime and earned a 6/10. Alessandro Bastoni received a 5/10 after a rough first half, too slow to close down Molina for Roma's opening goal and performing well below his standards. Curtis Jones, the former Liverpool midfielder, struggled to impose himself and rated 5/10, often found second-best in the physical battle against Roma's intense pressure.