D'Amico on Balerdi signing and the Inter challenge ahead

Roma's sporting director D'Amico spoke ahead of the club's Serie A fifth-round fixture against Inter, emphasising the challenge and opportunity of the match. "Inter are a reference point, they are Italian champions and a strong, complete squad. We know it will be a difficult match, but it is also a great motivation for us to test ourselves against the best," he said. D'Amico highlighted the defensive reinforcement made in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, describing the new arrival as a player Roma had tracked for years. "We needed to strengthen the defence, especially with an experienced player. He has physical strength and speed. We've been following him for a few years and in the last week of the market we had the opportunity to acquire him on good terms and we were quick. We are very happy," he explained. The director stressed that Roma know the technical and human qualities of all their new players, which he considers very important in squad building. On Manu Koné's availability, D'Amico said: "Manu is well, we are happy with him as we are with the whole squad. Whoever is called upon gives their contribution. After the international break we will have many matches and we will need everyone." D'Amico also suggested focusing on enjoying the match rather than analysing the wider context: "I think in a pre-match like this, with a stadium like this, it is better to think about enjoying the game, which will be difficult but I hope will be beautiful for us. We think about today."

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta spoke ahead of today's fifth-round Serie A match between Roma and Inter, describing the fixture as a significant test. Marotta acknowledged Roma's early-season form, saying: "The Roma has demonstrated, in this start to the season, not only in points but also in the play expressed, to be a team of all respect." He also praised Gasperini's tactical influence on the club, highlighting the quality of football and concepts the Roma coach has instilled. Marotta framed the encounter as a chance for Inter to prove their credentials as defending champions. "It will be a beautiful challenge against an opponent of great value," he said. "Regardless of the result, it counts a lot the performance that we manage to offer." The Inter chief also reflected on the recent loss of Sandro Mazzola, calling him "a piece of nerazzurri history" who represented important values the club must preserve and transmit to future generations.

Gianluca Mancini spoke ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Inter at matchday five, describing the visitors as a reference point for Italian football but cautioning against treating the encounter as a season-defining contest. "Inter is a benchmark for everyone in Italy, they are a great squad and have proven it in Europe too," Mancini said. "Tonight's match is a test for us and for them, but we are only at matchday five. Clearly we must think about ourselves, about doing the right things in training. It is not a match that counts for anything—it is too early." Mancini reflected on Roma's previous meetings with Inter, highlighting areas for improvement. "Last season on the return fixture, the first half was not played badly, but we conceded that goal and then we loosened up a bit in the second half," he explained. "At home we played our match and deserved something more. It is clear that those mistakes must not be repeated and we must try to score more goals than them."

Roma and Inter meet in the final fixture before the international break on 19 September, both sides unbeaten and top of Serie A on maximum points. Gasperini has announced all his players are available but is monitoring the condition of Wesley and N'Dicka, signalling that Balerdi will start; Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski drafted in to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute before kickoff to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend and Italy internationalist who died at 83 overnight. The match represents a statement game between the league's two strongest starts to the 2026-27 campaign. Roma's defensive contingencies suggest caution in their approach, while Inter's midfield reshuffle highlights their own injury burden as the window closes on the first international break of the season.

Gian Piero Gasperini made only one change in midfield for Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, selecting Matías Soulé ahead of Niccolò Pisilli in the attacking midfield role. The head coach favoured continuity against Cristian Chivu's side in matchday five, keeping the core of the team that had started the season well. The defensive line remained settled: Mile Svilar in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley operated on the flanks, while Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante held the midfield. Donyell Malen, who had been prominent in Roma's opening fixtures, led the attack, supported by Paulo Dybala and Soulé. Leonardo Balerdi dropped to the bench. Roma's starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash, both sides arriving unbeaten after four matches and seeking to reach the first international break in first place. Gasperini has a full squad available with no absences. In defence, the established trio of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso is confirmed, with no surprise inclusion for Balerdi. Molina and Wesley operate on the flanks, Koné and Cristante patrol midfield, and Soulé lines up in the attacking three behind Malen, with Dybala in support. Roma field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back, Molina and Wesley as wing-backs, Cristante and Koné in central midfield, Soulé and Dybala in the attacking midfield positions, and Malen as the lead forward. On the bench are Gollini, De Marzi, Ghilardi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Lulli, Pisilli, Pellegrini, de Roon, Castro and Mora. Inter deploy a 3-5-2 with Martinez, Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni in defence, Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones and Dimarco in midfield, and Lautaro Martinez and Thuram in attack.