Chivu returns to the Olimpico: a relationship that remains fraught

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.

Massimo Moratti has spoken ahead of Inter's visit to Roma on 19 September at 18:00, telling La Repubblica that he expects a competitive fixture between two clubs whose strength often rises and falls in tandem. 'It is destiny that Roma are competitive when we are too. By now it is a classic, like Inter-Juventus and Inter-Milan,' Moratti said. 'In a single match it is hard to say who will have the better of it. Over the course of the season, though, I say Inter.' He praised Roma's current manager, noting: 'Chivu is capable, has good sense, knows how to hold the squad together.' Moratti reflected on his personal connection to Roma through players he signed from the club. He recalled Chivu's courage after a near-fatal head injury: 'I went to see him in hospital. He said he would come back soon, without complaining. A brave man.' On his fractured relationship with Gasperini, Moratti said: 'We have met, shaken hands, embraced. I have no grudge. He perhaps does, and it would be justified. It was an unlucky moment: we were not winning a match.' Moratti also spoke of his long-standing desire to sign Francesco Totti, Roma's all-time great. 'Totti. I tried. I told Sensi I would not make a fuss over the price. He replied that it was not to be discussed. He behaved like a Romanista, not a merchant.' Moratti went on to describe his actual Roma signing: 'I took Batistuta from Roma. He scored only one goal but I would do it again.' On the upcoming match, Moratti expects an open contest: 'A fine one. We are at the start, the teams do not have too much fear of losing points. And it can be valuable as training for the Champions League, where you cannot afford to be foolish.'

Roma will host Inter at Stadio Olimpico on 19 September at 18:00 in the fifth round of the Serie A season. Head coach Gasperini will conduct his customary pre-match press conference, but Inter manager Cristian Chivu has chosen a different approach, electing not to release statements or participate in the pre-match media conference. According to Corriere dello Sport, this marks the first time this season that Chivu has opted for silence ahead of a fixture—a tactic he employed selectively during the previous campaign.