Champions at Stake: Gasperini to Deploy Three-Man Attack at Verona

Referee Davide Massa was won over by Roma's 2–2 draw with Inter on Saturday at the Olimpico. As the match ended, Massa complimented both teams' players and coaching staff during the customary post-match greetings, a moment captured by DAZN's broadcast camera. Speaking to the managers of Roma and Inter, Massa called the contest a "spectacular match", expressing his appreciation for the intensity and quality of football on display across the ninety minutes. He also praised the players from both sides, highlighting an intense and emotionally charged encounter. The result leaves Roma with a point in their league campaign as they prepare to return from the international break.

Roma and Inter played out an intense and entertaining match, with post-match exchanges between the two sides captured on camera. Gasperini stopped Lautaro Martinez to compliment him, with DAZN's microphones picking up the Roma coach saying: "Vaff... you always score!" as the two embraced and smiled. Malen also had a word with Martinez in jest, referencing a save by the Inter goalkeeper that could have altered the match's outcome. After greeting Akanji, his former teammate from their time at Borussia Dortmund, the Roma forward turned his attention to Martinez, who laughed along as they revisited the moment. The relaxed atmosphere between the two squads underscored the competitive nature of the encounter, with both sides expected to challenge for the top of the table in the season ahead.

Roma and Inter produced one of the finest matches of the season, with both sides playing open, attacking football and matching each other blow for blow throughout. The standard of play was high enough to impress referee Davide Massa, who spoke to the two coaches at the final whistle. Exhausted after the match, Massa said to Gasperini and Chivu: "A spectacle you put on. A spectacle, well done. Thank you." He repeated his praise to the players who came to greet him after the final whistle: "Well done, good lads." The exchange reflects a broader shift in the atmosphere between referees, coaches and players at the start of this season, characterised by fewer interruptions to play, greater continuity in the game, and consequently more compelling football.

Paulo Dybala has emerged as a rejuvenated force for Roma this season, but head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is demanding greater intensity in the final third. The Argentine forward has appeared in all six league and Champions League matches so far, accumulating 497 minutes across both competitions—third among Roma's outfield players behind Bryan Cristante (514 minutes) and Mario Hermoso (509 minutes)—yet remains goalless in his last 13 matches. Gasperini is pushing Dybala for more direct contributions, calling for increased sprints, dribbling and shots on goal as Roma prepare for the resumption of their campaign. Dybala arrives refreshed after a meticulously planned summer of physical conditioning work and targeted preparation during the current international break, his excellent fitness level unlocking a new dimension to his play. The 32-year-old has backed himself with a radical contract restructuring, accepting a 72 per cent salary reduction in exchange for a performance-based renewal built almost entirely around bonus payments. Under the new terms, Dybala earns an additional €100,000 for each match he starts with a minimum 45 minutes on the pitch, up to a maximum of 20 appearances—worth €2 million extra on top of his €2.2 million fixed salary. If he comes off the bench and plays at least 20 minutes, he receives €75,000 per appearance. From the 21st match with at least 45 minutes played, the bonus increases to €150,000 per game. The structure rewards consistency and performance, with more minutes and goals or assists driving higher earnings as Dybala aims to recapture his best form.

Paulo Dybala has rediscovered his form for Roma under Gasperini, free from the physical problems that plagued him and operating at an excellent athletic level. The manager now considers him the club's focal point but is asking for one addition: more clinical finishing to return to scoring regularly. Dybala, in his fifth season in giallorosso, has left behind the fragility of the past. With Gasperini he has found consistency, minutes and confidence: he runs, fights, sacrifices himself for the team. In this season's opening phase he has already played 497 minutes across six matches in Serie A and the Champions League, third in the squad for playing time behind Cristante and Hermoso. He has provided four decisive assists, the fruit of detailed summer preparation and targeted work during the international break that allowed him to miss no training. In the top-table clash against Inter he embodied this new spirit: 9.5 km covered, battling for every ball, defending, sacrifice and four shots at Martinez's goal. The only missing piece is the goal, which has eluded him since 13 matches ago, from 18 January against Torino. Gasperini now wants the Joya to become a finisher again, ending a drought that stretches back to January. This sits within a total growth process confirmed by his new contract: an agreement built on bonuses and incentives tied to appearances, goals and assists, a sign the Argentine has chosen to genuinely bet on himself and his future at Roma.

Antonio Carlos Zago, a defender in Roma's 2001 Serie A championship team, has said Roma can harbour serious ambitions of winning the title this season under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Zago highlighted the strong start the side has made and identified Inter as their only real rival, while ruling out direct comparison with the 2001 squad because of the different era and the strength of Italian football then, when Juventus, Milan, Parma, Lazio and Inter were all formidable forces. On Roma's defensive options, Zago singled out Gianluca Mancini as the player most similar to himself. "Balerdi arrived with a bit of scepticism and is proving to be an excellent player," he said. "Roma has a very good back line." Wesley drew particular praise: "For me he is one of the strongest full-backs in the world—Real Madrid and Manchester City wanted him too. It's not easy to arrive from Brazil and perform at this level. He is playing well on both the right and left. Perhaps he is scoring less but that doesn't mean he is struggling." On the attacking threat, Zago highlighted Paulo Dybala's form and noted that Donyell Malen has already reached six goals, saying "They can play it out to the end." When asked to compare Leonardo Balerdi to the Argentine defender Walter Samuel, Zago cautioned against the comparison: "It is complicated to compare him to Walter at this moment—he arrived not long ago while Walter was already a pillar of the Argentine national team. I hope he can build his career. Obviously if he becomes like Walter it would mean winning the title at the end of the year. It takes a bit of time, but if you are strong you adapt quickly, and when you have champions around you, you adapt easily to the coach's demands." On Gasperini, Zago was emphatic: "If he is not the strongest of the last ten years, he is certainly in the top three. He did great work at Atalanta, taking a mid-table team to play Champions League football and win the Europa League. In Serie A he is the best. The squad must follow him and can aim for great results."

Antonio Carlos Zago, a defender in Roma's 2001 Serie A championship team, has said Roma can harbour serious ambitions of winning the title this season under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Il Messaggero, Zago highlighted the strong start the side has made and identified Inter as their only real rival, while ruling out direct comparison with the 2001 squad because of the different era and the strength of Italian football then, when Juventus, Milan, Parma, Lazio and Inter were all formidable forces. On Roma's defensive options, Zago singled out Gianluca Mancini as the player most similar to himself. "Balerdi arrived with a bit of scepticism and is proving to be an excellent player," he said. "Roma has a very good back line." Wesley drew particular praise: "For me he is one of the strongest full-backs in the world—Real Madrid and Manchester City wanted him too. It's not easy to arrive from Brazil and perform at this level. He is playing well on both the right and left. Perhaps he is scoring less but that doesn't mean he is struggling." On the attacking threat, Zago highlighted Paulo Dybala's form and noted that Donyell Malen has already reached six goals, saying "They can play it out to the end." When asked to compare Leonardo Balerdi to the Argentine defender Walter Samuel, Zago cautioned against the comparison: "It is complicated to compare him to Walter at this moment—he arrived not long ago while Walter was already a pillar of the Argentine national team. I hope he can build his career. Obviously if he becomes like Walter it would mean winning the title at the end of the year. It takes a bit of time, but if you are strong you adapt quickly, and when you have champions around you, you adapt easily to the coach's demands." On Gasperini, Zago was emphatic: "If he is not the strongest of the last ten years, he is certainly in the top three. He did great work at Atalanta, taking a mid-table team to play Champions League football and win the Europa League. In Serie A he is the best. The squad must follow him and can aim for great results."

Roma head into the three-week international break in first place after four victories in five matches this season. Head coach Gasperini's side showed solidity against Inter and produced a solid return to Champions League football with a draw at Fenerbahce. During the pause, Gasperini will work with the squad members who remain at Trigoria, including Wesley, Malen and Cristante, who are managing physical knocks, plus players not selected by their national teams. Two friendly matches are scheduled to maintain match rhythm and provide opportunities for young players. Francesco Totti has revealed in his new book *Oltre* that he received playing offers from both Como and Genoa at age 48, with the prospect serious enough to prompt him to train intensively. Ultimately, however, a fundamental conviction prevailed. "Can you play for a team that isn't Roma?" Totti wrote, explaining his decision to turn down the moves. The book also chronicles other chapters from his life since retirement: his gradual rapprochement with Luciano Spalletti after years of silence, facilitated by work together on advertising campaigns; the beginning of his relationship with Noemi Bocchi, from their first meeting to their first kiss near Piazza del Popolo; and the death of his father Enzo, "the Sheriff", which Totti describes as the moment "the world collapsed". On disciplinary matters, the sporting judge issued no suspensions for the fifth round of Serie A but handed down multiple fines for fan misconduct. Roma were fined €3,000, matching Inter's sanction. Juventus received the heaviest penalty at €10,000 for failing to observe a minute's silence dedicated to Sandro Mazzola. Defender Leonardo Balerdi has regained Argentina's confidence following his strong start at Roma. Now at an Albiceleste training camp, Balerdi said: "I had huge hunger to return. Coming back here is a new challenge and I must face it the right way." His rapid integration into Gasperini's defensive system and return to regular football have restored him to Scaloni's squad after missing the World Cup.

Roma and Inter played out an intense and entertaining match, with post-match exchanges between the two sides captured on camera. Gasperini stopped Lautaro Martinez to compliment him, with DAZN's microphones picking up the Roma coach saying: "Vaff... you always score!" as the two embraced and smiled. Malen also had a word with Martinez in jest, referencing a save by the Inter goalkeeper that could have altered the match's outcome. After greeting Akanji, his former teammate from their time at Borussia Dortmund, the Roma forward turned his attention to Martinez, who laughed along as they revisited the moment. The relaxed atmosphere between the two squads underscored the competitive nature of the encounter, with both sides expected to challenge for the top of the table in the season ahead.

Paulo Dybala has emerged as a rejuvenated force for Roma this season, but head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is demanding greater intensity in the final third. The Argentine forward has appeared in all six league and Champions League matches so far, accumulating 497 minutes across both competitions—third among Roma's outfield players behind Bryan Cristante (514 minutes) and Mario Hermoso (509 minutes)—yet remains goalless in his last 13 matches. Gasperini is pushing Dybala for more direct contributions, calling for increased sprints, dribbling and shots on goal as Roma prepare for the resumption of their campaign. Dybala arrives refreshed after a meticulously planned summer of physical conditioning work and targeted preparation during the current international break, his excellent fitness level unlocking a new dimension to his play. The 32-year-old has backed himself with a radical contract restructuring, accepting a 72 per cent salary reduction in exchange for a performance-based renewal built almost entirely around bonus payments. Under the new terms, Dybala earns an additional €100,000 for each match he starts with a minimum 45 minutes on the pitch, up to a maximum of 20 appearances—worth €2 million extra on top of his €2.2 million fixed salary. If he comes off the bench and plays at least 20 minutes, he receives €75,000 per appearance. From the 21st match with at least 45 minutes played, the bonus increases to €150,000 per game. The structure rewards consistency and performance, with more minutes and goals or assists driving higher earnings as Dybala aims to recapture his best form.

Paulo Dybala has rediscovered his form for Roma under Gasperini, free from the physical problems that plagued him and operating at an excellent athletic level. The manager now considers him the club's focal point but is asking for one addition: more clinical finishing to return to scoring regularly. Dybala, in his fifth season in giallorosso, has left behind the fragility of the past. With Gasperini he has found consistency, minutes and confidence: he runs, fights, sacrifices himself for the team. In this season's opening phase he has already played 497 minutes across six matches in Serie A and the Champions League, third in the squad for playing time behind Cristante and Hermoso. He has provided four decisive assists, the fruit of detailed summer preparation and targeted work during the international break that allowed him to miss no training. In the top-table clash against Inter he embodied this new spirit: 9.5 km covered, battling for every ball, defending, sacrifice and four shots at Martinez's goal. The only missing piece is the goal, which has eluded him since 13 matches ago, from 18 January against Torino. Gasperini now wants the Joya to become a finisher again, ending a drought that stretches back to January. This sits within a total growth process confirmed by his new contract: an agreement built on bonuses and incentives tied to appearances, goals and assists, a sign the Argentine has chosen to genuinely bet on himself and his future at Roma.

Niccolò Pisilli has become one of Gian Piero Gasperini's most important weapons at Roma in the era of five substitutions, despite being far from a regular starter. The 22-year-old, who celebrates his birthday today, has already scored two goals in this opening stretch of the 2026-27 season despite starting just once. His specialty remains the closing stages of matches—a trait that emerged under José Mourinho and has been confirmed by his goals against Fiorentina and Torino, both born from his instinct to attack space in the box. Beyond his goalscoring, Pisilli is making an impression through his physical resilience. Against Torino he finished the match in cramp after covering more than 12.5 kilometres, a Roma record for the season. Despite competing with experienced midfielders including Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné, the Casal Palocco academy product is proving himself a complete, modern midfielder. Day by day he confirms he is far more than a simple alternative for Gasperini. Pisilli's rise underlines how Roma's squad depth in midfield is being tested effectively rather than stretched thin. His ability to influence matches in their final passages—when opponents tire and spaces open—has given Gasperini a tactical option of genuine value. Gasperini has placed clear trust in the young midfielder's tactical maturity and physical capacity to execute his demands.