De Roon silences the doubters as his impact already wins over Roma

Gianluca Mancini pulled over on his way out of Trigoria on 15 September to take a selfie with a group of young supporters who flagged him down in the middle of the road. The Roma defender obliged the excited children, who embraced each other afterwards in a moment of joy captured on video and shared by the Instagram account Calciatori per Sbaglio. The interaction came after training as Roma prepared for Saturday's big match against Inter. Mancini has become a fixture in the capital and is one of the players through whom Roma's fanbase most closely identifies, valued for his commitment and passion for the shirt. The gesture exemplifies the connection between the defender and the club's supporters.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has named three AS Roma players in his latest national squad selection. Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro have been called up, though notable absences include Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, who will remain at Trigoria. The squad announcement came via the Argentina Football Association's official social media channels. Dybala and Molina's omission marks a surprise, as both are among Roma's more established international players. Both will stay at the club during the international break while their teammates fulfil their national team duties.

Roma stayed top of Serie A alongside Inter after four matches with a victory away at Turin, extending their perfect record. Donyell Malen scored again, but the standout feature was a third clean sheet of the campaign: Mile Svilar's record in goal has been breached only by Atalanta's Ederson. The addition of Leonardo Balerdi to an already-settled back line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso has significantly strengthened the defence. Against Turin's forwards, Balerdi posted commanding numbers: 7 duels won, 11 defensive actions, 6 clearances—more than any other player on the pitch—plus 29 completed passes from 32 attempted, a success rate of 91%. He was combative in close defence and brave in pressing opponents into the attacking third. Gasperini benefits from the fact that Balerdi functions as an extra layer rather than a replacement for the established trio, giving Roma a more powerful shield while opponents face added danger in attack. The defence will face a stern examination on Saturday in a title clash against Inter, whose 13 goals make them the league's leading scorers. Last season Inter scored 6 goals against Roma—nearly one-fifth of all the goals Roma conceded in the entire Serie A campaign—a significant test of the giallorossi's defensive resilience.

Marten De Roon has arrived at Roma to rejoin Gian Piero Gasperini, the coach who has deployed him more frequently than any other manager in his career. The 35-year-old midfielder left Atalanta after Sarri and D'Amico determined he no longer fit their plans, and Roma secured him on what was reportedly a nominal fee within 48 hours. His exit from Bergamo prompted Atalanta ultras to unveil a pointed banner: "You chose to pass through our history but not to belong to it. Goodbye little flag." Gasperini responded swiftly: "Should he have become an old shoe gathering dust in a cupboard? He didn't leave of his own accord." De Roon's arrival initially unsettled Roma's fanbase, given tensions dating back to social media provocations in previous years. He apologised immediately and made himself available. Though his minutes remain limited—35 across Serie A and the Champions League—his impact has been positive. De Roon understands Gasperini's system instinctively; the coach appears to operate him with remote-control precision from the bench. The squad is smaller than last season but superior in quality, and his presence is a luxury. He has brought experience to the group: after Paulo Dybala, he ranks second for Champions League appearances with 44, and younger players such as Niccolò Pisilli can develop optimally alongside him.

Marten de Roon has already justified head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's faith in him since arriving at Roma, delivering an assured display in just 35 combined minutes across Serie A and the Champions League. Entering the second half against Torino at the 64-minute mark, the 35-year-old Dutch midfielder immediately imposed order and reading of the game on a side that needed precisely that stability. In his 25-minute spell, he completed four interceptions, won two of three duels, and achieved a 100% success rate in his dribbling attempts—figures that illustrated his value despite the limited time on the pitch. Gasperini made clear his conviction in de Roon shortly before, defending him against criticism from Atalanta's ultra supporters, who had unfurled a banner during his departure after eleven seasons at Bergamo. The manager responded bluntly: "Doveva fare la scarpa vecchia in uno sgabuzzino? Non è andato via per sua volontà. Sono molto contento che sia qua, è una fortuna e darà un contributo importantissimo" (Should he have become an old shoe in a cupboard? He did not leave of his own choice. I am very happy he is here; it is a stroke of luck and he will make an extremely important contribution). De Roon is the player Gasperini has deployed most in his career across all clubs, amassing 361 appearances—well clear of Toloi, who stands at 289. Roma secured him for a minimal outlay, spending up to €600,000 including all bonus payments. De Roon is being eased into action as he builds his match fitness after an unusual summer; he did not feature in Atalanta's opening two league matches before his move. Last season with the Bergamaschi, he ranked fourth in Serie A for balls won (93), fifth for recoveries (47), and third for tackles (79)—metrics that underscore why Gasperini continues to regard him as a vital resource. Beyond his defensive and technical contributions, de Roon showed leadership off the ball during the Turin fixture, assisting Pisilli when the young midfielder was struggling with cramps after Roma's second goal—a small, nearly invisible gesture that reflected his experience and awareness of team needs. Gasperini is introducing de Roon gradually, waiting for his conditioning to reach the level required to sustain a full 90 minutes at the pace his system demands. Roma have a forthcoming break after facing Inter that may allow de Roon further time to recover ground, though it remains too early to predict him as a regular starter from the beginning.

Roma travel to face Inter on Saturday with a perfect Serie A record of 12 points from 12, heading into what the Italian press calls their first genuine direct championship confrontation of the season. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad have maintained their standards despite key absences: without N'Dicka, Wesley and with Koné initially on the bench against Turin, Roma sustained their pressing, intensity, quality and solidity. Leonardo Balerdi exemplified the depth available, delivering a commanding full debut performance at centre-back against Torino after convincing cameos against Atalanta and Fenerbahce, displaying anticipation, speed and physical strength in duels. Marten de Roon, brought on in the second half, immediately conveyed full understanding of Gasperini's midfielder demands. Nahuel Molina continues to develop, Santiago Castro offers encouraging signs, and Rodrigo Mora has already shown flashes of talent. The "Dybalen" partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen has become the team's attacking heart: in nine matches started together from the opening whistle, Roma have never lost—eight victories and one draw. Gasperini considers them complementary, and the pitch has repeatedly validated his assessment. Roma won all four opening league matches, a feat not achieved since 2014–15, and arrive at the Inter clash level on points with the Nerazzurri. Inter remain the league's benchmark for quality, depth and big-match experience, but also represent a genuine curse: they have not lost at the Olimpico to Roma since 2016 and have won their last five meetings in the capital. Gasperini himself has not beaten Inter in seventeen matches, with ten consecutive defeats. However, Roma now possess the tools to potentially rewrite that history. The article notes that Saturday will not settle the title race or hand down final verdicts, but it will offer the first genuine chance to measure how high Roma's ceiling truly sits this season. Roma do not start as favourites, but for the first time in considerable time can approach such a fixture with a conviction beyond mere resistance—the belief they can play as equals and aim to win.

Roma hold first place in Serie A ahead of Saturday's fixture against Inter. The side has conceded only one goal in the league this season—Ederson's effort in Atalanta's limited attempts—a defensive record matched among Europe's top five leagues only by Arsenal, the Europa League runners-up. In Germany, Freiburg lead with one goal conceded in three matches; in Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona both have four; in France, four clubs have conceded two. Gasperini has overhauled Roma's defence compared to last season. Out are N'Dicka, Wesley and Koné; in are Balerdi, Molina and Pisilli. Balerdi and Molina have just arrived—Argentine internationals of substance, neither a routine acquisition. Balerdi missed the World Cup through injury; Molina was Copa América runner-up alongside Paulo Dybala after winning the World Cup in Qatar. The contrast with last season is stark. A year ago, Gasperini would have replaced N'Dicka and Wesley with Ziolkowski and Tsimikas, neither of whom remain at the club. Similarly, El Aynaoui would have started in place of Koné, but he too was moved on after just one season.

Roma's evolution under coach Gian Piero Gasperini has taken shape across two decisive fixtures—the Champions League debut against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday and a four-day-later trip to Turin against Torino—that showcase the impact of the summer transfer market overhaul steered by new sporting director D'Amico. In the first match, Roma's return to Europe's elite competition after a seven-year absence saw Gasperini field performers who had earned third place in Serie A. Against Torino, however, two summer signings started, with three more introduced during play as Roma secured a fourth consecutive league win. Despite missing three key players—Evan N'Dicka, Wesley, and Manu Koné—Roma maintained tactical identity and attacking threat at Turin, underlining how the summer reinforcements have strengthened the squad's reliability compared to the previous season. The shift in personnel tells the story plainly. A year ago, Gasperini would have replaced N'Dicka and Wesley with Kostas Tsimikas and Jan Ziółkowski; neither remains at Trigoria. Manu Koné's role would have gone to Neil El Aynaoui, who has been moved on after one season, as have Tsimikas and Ziółkowski. In their place came Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina, both Argentine internationals—Balerdi absent from last year's World Cup only through injury, Molina a Qatar winner alongside Paulo Dybala and recently a World Cup runner-up. Niccolò Pisilli, grown into his role at the start of 2026 and a national team player, has inherited Koné's midfield spot. Gasperini paired Balerdi immediately with Marten de Roon, who arrived from Bergamo in the final moments of the window and played more than half the second half against Torino. Lorenzo Pellegrini, called up after five months out, extended Gasperini's roster of captains—the coach has made clear he possesses multiple leaders beyond Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini operates what he calls the "law of sixteen," seeking to deploy the same core of players in every match to guarantee brilliance, intensity and competitive edge. He refuses publicly to divide his squad into starters and substitutes; there is no difference between a player who begins and one who enters in progress. New sporting director D'Amico's tenure has produced a squad numerically smaller than its predecessor, as D'Amico himself acknowledged, yet Gasperini presented it at full strength in Turin. The article notes that one or two adjustments in January may be needed to perfect the squad further.

Roma players out on loan delivered mixed results across a busy weekend of football, with Alessandro Romano continuing to impress in Serie A while others made their debuts for their temporary clubs. Romano played all 90 minutes as Cagliari defeated Atalanta 2–1 at Bergamo, and created a chance for Mendy early in the second half that was ruled out for marginal offside. The 20-year-old also fired from distance in the 15th minute, forcing a corner from Carnesecchi. Under coach Pisacane, Romano has become an established starter and is at Cagliari on a loan with an obligation to buy should certain sporting conditions be met. Neil El Aynaoui experienced a contrasting week at RB Leipzig. The Moroccan midfielder played the full match in the Bundesliga club's 4–1 Champions League defeat away at Como on Thursday, then returned to the starting XI in Bundesliga action on Sunday, playing 74 minutes in a 5–0 victory over Hamburg without scoring or assisting. He remains on loan with a right of redemption. Robinio Vaz made his Premier League debut for Hull City, entering at the 82nd minute in place of McBurnie during an away fixture at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Hull secured a 2–2 draw, and Vaz, born in 2007, now has his first minutes in English football under his belt. He too is on loan with a right of redemption. Other Roma loanees had quieter weekends. Mattia Mannini made his Benevento debut off the bench, replacing Siatounis in the 74th minute of a 3–1 win against Hellas Verona—his first appearance after being unused at Ascoli. Filippo Reale played 90 minutes at left centre-back in Carrarese's 1–0 home defeat to Catanzaro, the goal coming from Iemmello in the 83rd minute. Radoslaw Zelezny started in goal for Perugia away at Ravenna but saw his side lose 3–0 after being reduced to ten men when Kabashi was sent off late in the first half. He had kept a clean sheet in a win against Pineto the previous week. Luigi Cherubini sat unused on Benevento's bench in their 3–1 success, a reversal of his playing status from Ascoli. Angeliño made a second consecutive unused substitute appearance for Deportivo La Coruña in a 1–1 draw at Getafe. Marash Kumbulla returned to the squad list for Rayo Vallecano but did not play in a 4–1 defeat at Real Madrid's Bernabeu. Jan Ziolkowski remained unavailable with a foot problem that had already kept him out the week prior; Monza lost 3–2 to Lecce without him. Artem Dovbyk was held out of Bologna's trip to Napoli after sustaining a minor groin issue in the 91st minute of a prior victory; Bologna lost 1–0 at the Maradona, with manager Tedesco calling the precaution sensible rather than a serious injury. Anass Salah-Eddine is nearing a loan move to Panathinaikos; Roma has agreed terms and the winger has arrived in Athens for medicals, though an official announcement had not yet been published at the time of writing.

Aldo Serena, the former striker turned Sky pundit, has weighed in on Saturday's Roma–Inter clash, describing it as a defining examination for Gasperini's side. Serena praised Roma's early-season form, saying the team has been given an attacking game by the coach that is both eye-catching and concrete. "Gasperini has given them football that catches the eye with a physically sharp Dybala. The team attacks, entertains but is at the same time concrete thanks to that phenomenon that is Malen," Serena said. For Inter, Serena sees a tougher assignment on the defensive front. While highlighting the pace of Bonny, the agility of Thuram, the power of Pio Esposito and the quality of Lautaro, he suggested their summer acquisitions have improved the squad's overall calibre, but warned their defence needs work. "With the Roma match, it could be difficult," he concluded, noting that Inter cannot rely on comebacks if they want to progress in the Champions League.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has named three AS Roma players in his latest national squad selection. Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro have been called up, though notable absences include Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, who will remain at Trigoria. The squad announcement came via the Argentina Football Association's official social media channels. Dybala and Molina's omission marks a surprise, as both are among Roma's more established international players. Both will stay at the club during the international break while their teammates fulfil their national team duties.

Marten De Roon has arrived at Roma to rejoin Gian Piero Gasperini, the coach who has deployed him more frequently than any other manager in his career. The 35-year-old midfielder left Atalanta after Sarri and D'Amico determined he no longer fit their plans, and Roma secured him on what was reportedly a nominal fee within 48 hours. His exit from Bergamo prompted Atalanta ultras to unveil a pointed banner: "You chose to pass through our history but not to belong to it. Goodbye little flag." Gasperini responded swiftly: "Should he have become an old shoe gathering dust in a cupboard? He didn't leave of his own accord." De Roon's arrival initially unsettled Roma's fanbase, given tensions dating back to social media provocations in previous years. He apologised immediately and made himself available. Though his minutes remain limited—35 across Serie A and the Champions League—his impact has been positive. De Roon understands Gasperini's system instinctively; the coach appears to operate him with remote-control precision from the bench. The squad is smaller than last season but superior in quality, and his presence is a luxury. He has brought experience to the group: after Paulo Dybala, he ranks second for Champions League appearances with 44, and younger players such as Niccolò Pisilli can develop optimally alongside him.