Di Biagio: Roma can be the season's surprise, Malen runs the show alone

Roma's fixture against Inter will be shaped by tactical duels across the pitch, with the flanks emerging as the decisive battleground. Wesley and Federico Dimarco are set to be the principal actors in this wide play, with the Brazilian having been a key target for Gian Piero Gasperini during his time at Atalanta before joining Roma, where the coach has given him a new tactical role. Cristian Chivu considers Dimarco an irreplaceable cornerstone of Inter's system, while Gasperini has similarly tailored Wesley's position to suit his requirements. The two offer different qualities but carry equal importance in their respective teams' structures and will face direct opposition across the 90 minutes. Gasperini's tactical approach on Roma's left flank will be directly influenced by Dimarco's presence on Inter's left. On Roma's right flank, an open competition remains between Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina, with training sessions before the match set to determine which player is best suited to contain Inter's attacking raids. The wider picture of Roma's wing play is completed by Andy Diouf, deployed on the flanks by Chivu out of tactical necessity despite being primarily considered an attacking midfielder. Meanwhile, attention on the attacking front is inevitable, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading Roma's offensive threat against Inter's Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.

Roma and Inter will meet on the pitch this Saturday as the Serie A leaders, but behind the fixture lies a stark contrast in how their respective owners build and sustain their projects. Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma have invested €211 million in player acquisitions since his arrival, while Cristian Chivu's Inter have spent €186 million—a gap of €25 million that illustrates the Friedkin Group's commitment to backing the sporting project despite UEFA financial fair play constraints. By contrast, Inter's ownership under Oaktree has prioritised economic and financial stability. The €211 million Roma figure spans the campaigns that began with Gasperini's appointment. In the 2025–26 season, Roma spent €86.5 million, with Wesley arriving for €25 million and Neil El Aynaoui for €23 million, alongside Robinio Vaz (€20 million), Jan Ziółkowski (€6.5 million), and several expensive loans including Donyell Malen, Bailey, Evan Ferguson, Daniele Ghilardi and Zaragoza. The acceleration came this summer: the Friedkin Group approved €124.5 million for 2026–27, comprising Santiago Castro (€35 million), Rodrigo Mora (€25 million), Malen's permanent transfer (€25 million), Konstantinos Koulierakis (€16.5 million), Nahuel Molina (€13 million), Ghilardi's purchase (€8 million), Marten de Roon (€1 million) and Leonardo Balerdi's loan (€1 million). The Porto agreement for Mora includes a further €25 million for 2027 or 50 per cent of any future sale. The contrast deepens when examining the wider impact on club finances. Since summer 2025, Roma's squad costs—including salaries, depreciation and loan fees—have risen by approximately €15 million, while Inter's have fallen by approximately €10 million. The Friedkin Group has covered losses through fresh capital injections, accepting red accounts to sustain sporting growth; Roma has not closed a profitable financial year since their 2020 arrival, with 2025–26 expected to end in loss. Oaktree delivered a €35 million profit in its first Inter season and is preparing to close the next year in the black. Both approaches remain valid: Chivu inherited a structured squad already competing at the highest level, while Gasperini was tasked with rebuilding after Roma's seven-year absence from the Champions League. Saturday's direct clash will test both strategies on the pitch. One club has chosen acceleration to close the gap; the other is maintaining competitiveness while reducing the squad's economic burden.

Luigi Di Biagio, the former Roma and Inter midfielder who now coaches Saudi Arabia Under 23, has given his verdict on Saturday's Roma–Inter fixture at the Olimpico, stressing that despite the quality on display it will not decide the Scudetto. "Sarà uno spettacolo, ma è presto per immaginarsi qualcosa di definitivo: questa sfida non deciderà lo scudetto," he said. "L'Inter ha l'obbligo di vincerlo per la squadra che ha e per la storia degli ultimi anni. La Roma, invece, è lì per un percorso di crescita ed è una piacevolissima sorpresa: merita tutto per quello che sta facendo." Di Biagio believes Roma have undergone a fundamental shift under Gasperini's direction. "La Roma ha comprato giocatori funzionali alle sue richieste e direi che non ne ha sbagliato mezzo. Quanto sia stato fondamentale Malen è quasi scontato dirlo, ma è cambiata tutta la Roma. È cambiato proprio il motore," he explained. He highlighted the transformation in Paulo Dybala's performances: "Prendete Dybala, che gioca con una continuità che in passato non aveva. È anche merito del metodo Gasperini: sono convinto che più ti alleni forte e più stai bene. Oggi i giocatori della Roma hanno un altro ritmo e un'altra mentalità: vanno all'attacco e cercano sempre di vincere." Di Biagio acknowledged that Inter remain favourites but warned: "L'Inter, numericamente e per i cambi che ha, è ancora più avanti, ma Gasp può darle molto fastidio." On the midfield battle, Di Biagio praised Roma's structure: "La Roma con Cristante ha trovato un mediano che accompagna la costruzione; lui e Koné vanno spesso verso la linea dei difensori e permettono agli esterni di alzarsi. È lo svuotamento del centrocampo tipico di Gasp, una bellezza da studiare." He assessed the goalkeeping situation, noting that while Svilar offers certainty, Inter's Martinez deserves defence: "Se Svilar è una certezza della Roma, anche Martinez è un portiere interessante e moderno." On the forwards, he ranked both as decisive: "Malen fa quasi reparto da solo, è lui solo e tutti gli altri si muovono attorno a lui... Attacca la profondità e negli ultimi trenta metri diventa incredibilmente decisivo. Lautaro... gira di più, viene incontro, gioca anche lontano dalla porta e poi si butta dentro. Sono decisivi entrambi, qui il livello è altissimo." Di Biagio expressed belief that Roma's enthusiasm in the city is entirely positive. "No, a un taglio solo… È soltanto qualcosa di positivo. Mi tengo tutta la vita l'entusiasmo," he said, adding that the critical test for Roma will come in managing both Serie A and Champions League: "Bisognerà capire come la Roma reagirà quando dovrà gestire insieme campionato e Champions, questo passaggio sarà decisivo."

Roma legend Aldair has praised Gasperini's squad, singling out Donyell Malen as the strongest player in the team. "They are right to say he is the strongest; I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. On the title race, he added: "Roma can compete all the way with Inter." He also highlighted the defence, saying: "N'Dicka is making the difference, but Mancini and Hermoso always hold firm. And Balerdi — have you seen him?" Meanwhile, police have issued 16 Daspo (stadium bans) to Curva Sud supporters who were recorded performing a Roman salute during the Roma–Atalanta match on 5 September. The bans will last between one and five years and will prevent these supporters from attending Roma matches both in Rome and abroad. Four of those supporters have also been issued additional restrictions requiring them to report to police stations on match days when Roma play at home. Gasperini has brought a new defensive solidity to Roma. In the 2025–26 season, his team conceded just 0.82 goals per match—the best average of his managerial career. This trend began at Atalanta, where the side finished the 2024–25 campaign with 37 goals conceded. Gasperini now aims to improve that record further.

Roma travel to the Olimpico on Saturday with a perfect record—twelve points from four matches plus a draw in Istanbul—but face one of the season's sternest examinations against Inter and Chivu, a side that has historically troubled Gasperini. The head coach has the full squad available and must resolve three significant lineup decisions. At centre-back, Evan N'Dicka has returned to full fitness but Leonardo Balerdi is in outstanding form; the Ivorian holds a slight edge. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for one spot, with Lulli's superior defensive cover making him the favourite alongside Wesley on the left. In attack, Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starts. Matías Soulé leads Rodrigo Mora for the third forward slot, though a surprise could emerge through the possible advancement of either Niccolò Pisilli or Bryan Cristante to bolster midfield cover.

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has praised the form of the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out Donyell Malen for particular acclaim. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former captain said many in Serie A now regard Malen as the strongest player in the league. "They are right—I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. "When he gets the ball he turns immediately and comes at you. Then he is fast and he sees the goal." Aldair believes Roma have improved substantially from last season and can challenge Inter for the title. "Roma is better than last season, they are well physically and mentally and always arrive first to the ball," he said. "Yes, they can fight all the way to the end with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench." He identified Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in the defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency. He also highlighted Leonardo Balerdi, noting that Gasperini's system demands an intense high pressing throughout matches. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult—no one can maintain that type of pressure all over the pitch for the entire match," Aldair explained. When asked whether he would have enjoyed playing under Gasperini, the former Roma icon expressed doubt: "I am not so sure I would have played. When I arrived there was still the libero."

Roma travel to the Olimpico on Saturday with a perfect record—twelve points from four matches plus a draw in Istanbul—but face one of the season's sternest examinations against Inter and Chivu, a side that has historically troubled Gasperini. The head coach has the full squad available and must resolve three significant lineup decisions. At centre-back, Evan N'Dicka has returned to full fitness but Leonardo Balerdi is in outstanding form; the Ivorian holds a slight edge. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for one spot, with Lulli's superior defensive cover making him the favourite alongside Wesley on the left. In attack, Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starts. Matías Soulé leads Rodrigo Mora for the third forward slot, though a surprise could emerge through the possible advancement of either Niccolò Pisilli or Bryan Cristante to bolster midfield cover.

Andrea Stramaccioni, a former youth coach at Inter and now a Dazn pundit, has praised Roma's start to the season and believes the gap with the Serie A champions has closed. Speaking to Il Tempo, he highlighted the impact of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's methods and Roma's improving mentality. "I didn't expect Roma to start at this physical and mental level," Stramaccioni said. "Gasperini grows year on year because he gradually assembles players suited to his football." When asked whether the Scudetto could be a realistic objective, Stramaccioni pointed to the atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico as a catalyst for success. "I was at the Olimpico against Atalanta, and when the environment is in those conditions the squad gets carried along and everything becomes possible," he explained. He acknowledged that Inter remain the team to beat owing to the quality of their squad and their winning habit, but stressed that Roma's mentality has improved significantly in recent weeks. Stramaccioni also compared the attacking partnerships of the two clubs. "Paulo Dybala is the most creative player in Serie A, inventing chances behind a fast player living on the offside line like Malen," he said. "On Inter's side, they have a pairing with two strikers who always play in combination, one for the other, like Lautaro and Thuram."

Paulo Dybala has been invited by the Argentine Football Federation to attend a farewell ceremony for Lionel Messi, despite not being called up by coach Scaloni for the squad. The Joya won a World Cup with Messi and shared many matches with the Argentina national team. The ceremony will take place on 6 October when Argentina face Benin in what will be a farewell celebration for Messi. Dybala's attendance remains uncertain because Como play Roma five days later, on 11 October, which could prevent him from travelling. Other Roma players have clearer availability for the international break. Molina's presence at the farewell is possible, while Castro, Soulé and Balerdi are all confirmed in Scaloni's squad and their attendance is more certain. The timing presents a logistical challenge for the club during the international fixture list, as Dybala would need to balance the honour of attending Messi's farewell with his club commitments.