Dybala becomes a superhero in new Drugi mural celebrating Roma star's bond with young fans

Radja Nainggolan, the former Roma and Inter midfielder, reflected on his time in giallorosso colours during an interview with Radio Bruno Roma, touching on Sunday's Roma–Inter fixture and the club's summer recruitment. The big match remains Inter's to lose, he suggested: "I think Inter stay favourites to win the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri have built a strong squad, reached the Champions League final and have important reserves. The Scudetto Naples won last year, in my view, Inter lost. It will be a difficult match: Dybala can make the difference, he is a fantastic player." On Roma's transfer business, Nainggolan praised the early impact of defender Balerdi's personality and forward Santiago Castro's entry against Atalanta, though he noted Castro's latest display was less sharp. He believes Roma's new signings suit the team's current form. Back at the Olimpico for a match, he found the sold-out atmosphere striking: "When I was here it was different. If I have to thank Mourinho for one thing, it is that he brought people back to the stadium. The atmosphere is full, you see everyone singing: Roma is something else. It made an impression on me, it was a lovely experience." Asked whether Roma should attack or show more respect to Inter, Nainggolan insisted respect does not mean abandoning the offensive approach. "Roma has an identity, it has improved from last year. There is Mancini throwing himself forward too: these are things you notice. A team that wants to win must have its identity." On the goalkeeping contest, he rated Svilar's form: "Svilar played really well last year and he is confirming it. Martínez, on the other hand, is in his first year as starter: you feel the pressure. In the second goal against Udinese you see his error, but a goalkeeper has to make mistakes to learn." Pressed on defence, he would choose stability over the physical presence of N'Dicka or Balerdi for such a clash: "For a match like this, putting Balerdi in can be risky. I don't know what Gasperini will choose, but I would play with the more stable ones." On his departure from Roma itself, Nainggolan was candid. He said: "The first chance to play in Serie A was Roma: I would never have left, I did everything for Roma. The people respected me. But my personality is what it is: I hate falseness and false people, and when something goes against my values, I go. If you had asked me back then if I was happy to go to Inter or sad to leave Roma, I would have said I was sadder to leave Roma. I turned down offers from Chelsea and China to stay." He added that in today's Roma, with Malen's depth runs and the team's attacking philosophy, he would have thrived: "In this Roma I would have been well, I would have enjoyed myself. But unfortunately the era is different."

Roma face Inter at the Olimpico on 29 September, five months after a 5–2 defeat at San Siro on 5 April that sparked the Friedkin Group's demand for radical change. That loss marked a turning point. Days later, a dispute between Gasperini and the senior advisor Claudio Ranieri over comments before a match against Pisa forced the issue to a head. Gasperini imposed an ultimatum—"either him or me"—that reshaped the club entirely. The senior advisor departed, the sporting director followed months later, and Roma have not lost since that April night at Inter. The club have won nine matches and drawn two across Serie A and the Champions League, finishing third in the league on the final day against Verona. The encounter with Inter serves as a true test of how far this squad has progressed. Inter remain favourites for the title, but Roma now possess a sharper understanding of their own qualities than they did at San Siro. A historic curse hangs over the tie: Inter have won all five of their last away matches against Roma in Serie A, with a record of 11 goals scored and 2 conceded—the longest streak of consecutive home defeats against a single opponent in Roma's top-flight history. Across nine home meetings since 2 October 2016, Roma have managed three draws and six losses. Victory would put Roma alone at the top ahead of the season's first international break.

Roma's Stadio Pietralata is awaiting closure of a service conference, a mandatory step for the facility to be permanently included in the Euro 2032 dossier. Massimo Sessa, the extraordinary commissioner for Euro 2032 stadiums, said the administrative process will be completed by the end of the month, after which the city will begin its activity as an association to launch the executive phase. "I believe that by the end of the month we will close the administrative process that will then start the activity by the city as an association, so as to launch the executive phase," Sessa said. "We trust that by 30 September the entire administrative activity will be closed, which is a complex matter. We are optimistic." The Pietralata stadium has been under review as a potential venue for the tournament, with the completion of this administrative step critical to securing its final status in the Euro 2032 programme.

Radio commentators across Rome's main sports stations weighed in on Saturday's clash between Roma and Inter, the league leaders, with opinion divided over which team should be considered favourites and how Gasperini should set up his squad. Giancarlo Padovan backed Roma at 60–40 odds, saying: "The value will show itself over time. I give Roma 60% and Inter 40%; for me Roma wins tomorrow. But this is a discussion that must be seen over the long term. Roma is playing better and will assert its form, its enthusiasm, and for that reason Roma wins. But the championship is not finished: Inter's values will come out, and the head-to-head with Roma will go on until the end of the championship. Inter is capable of recovering any gap that might open tomorrow." David Rossi warned against complacency: "I see a danger — the idea is creeping into the Roma soul that we are favourites tomorrow, and I don't like this thing. Roma is a very important squad, but we must not fall into the error of thinking we are favourites. If Roma won tomorrow, and after five matches found itself top with a perfect record after winning the direct clash, would you think it is the favourite for the Scudetto? I don't. For me Inter would remain the favourite." Stefano Agresti called it level: "Roma is certainly playing better, the numbers say so — it has won matches dominating, some also under pressure — but I cannot forget what Inter is and its strength: I believe it continues to have something more than Roma as a squad. For me it is truly even." On team selection, Gianluca Piacentini suggested deploying Balerdi, Lulli and Pisilli as trequartista with Dybala and Malen in front, arguing that using a high midfielder would not abandon Gasperini's football. Lorenzo Pes favoured N'Dicka over Balerdi on Saturday evening because of structure, and predicted Wesley would move to the right flank for a duel with Dimarco if Molina played on the left. Alessio Nardo offered tactical advice: "I would give advice to our players for Saturday's match against Inter: shoot — shoot on goal. Martinez is a goalkeeper who is now insecure, suffering the moment. With the Olimpico being a cauldron and putting pressure, let us try to engage him and expose his limits." Piero Torri cautioned that after the international break, Como–Roma would be extremely tough, especially with South American players departing: "When the South Americans leave it is always tough: there is the long journey and the time zone to absorb."

Radja Nainggolan, the former Roma and Inter midfielder, reflected on his time in giallorosso colours during an interview with Radio Bruno Roma, touching on Sunday's Roma–Inter fixture and the club's summer recruitment. The big match remains Inter's to lose, he suggested: "I think Inter stay favourites to win the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri have built a strong squad, reached the Champions League final and have important reserves. The Scudetto Naples won last year, in my view, Inter lost. It will be a difficult match: Dybala can make the difference, he is a fantastic player." On Roma's transfer business, Nainggolan praised the early impact of defender Balerdi's personality and forward Santiago Castro's entry against Atalanta, though he noted Castro's latest display was less sharp. He believes Roma's new signings suit the team's current form. Back at the Olimpico for a match, he found the sold-out atmosphere striking: "When I was here it was different. If I have to thank Mourinho for one thing, it is that he brought people back to the stadium. The atmosphere is full, you see everyone singing: Roma is something else. It made an impression on me, it was a lovely experience." Asked whether Roma should attack or show more respect to Inter, Nainggolan insisted respect does not mean abandoning the offensive approach. "Roma has an identity, it has improved from last year. There is Mancini throwing himself forward too: these are things you notice. A team that wants to win must have its identity." On the goalkeeping contest, he rated Svilar's form: "Svilar played really well last year and he is confirming it. Martínez, on the other hand, is in his first year as starter: you feel the pressure. In the second goal against Udinese you see his error, but a goalkeeper has to make mistakes to learn." Pressed on defence, he would choose stability over the physical presence of N'Dicka or Balerdi for such a clash: "For a match like this, putting Balerdi in can be risky. I don't know what Gasperini will choose, but I would play with the more stable ones." On his departure from Roma itself, Nainggolan was candid. He said: "The first chance to play in Serie A was Roma: I would never have left, I did everything for Roma. The people respected me. But my personality is what it is: I hate falseness and false people, and when something goes against my values, I go. If you had asked me back then if I was happy to go to Inter or sad to leave Roma, I would have said I was sadder to leave Roma. I turned down offers from Chelsea and China to stay." He added that in today's Roma, with Malen's depth runs and the team's attacking philosophy, he would have thrived: "In this Roma I would have been well, I would have enjoyed myself. But unfortunately the era is different."

Leonardo Balerdi has opened up on his early weeks at Roma, revealing that he made the transfer non-negotiable after years at Marseille. In an interview with Il Tempo, the Argentine defender said he felt settled already: "I feel as if I've been here for at least three months. I've been welcomed brilliantly by everyone." He was adamant about his destination, telling the club: "There were other teams but at that point I said that if I didn't come here I would have stayed at Marseille." Balerdi described his Roma shirt as destiny. He explained: "When I had Strootman as a teammate I asked him to get me a Roma shirt, which I still keep at home. It was meant to be that I would wear it one day." He has also quickly built connections with his new teammates, singling out Manu Koné as particularly impressive. "Koné is an animal," he said. "I really like him a lot. The same with Malen—he was scoring lots of goals as soon as he arrived and he keeps doing it. Svilar as well. Maybe these three, apart from Dybala, have impressed me especially." On his style of play, Balerdi said he prefers a central defensive role: "By my characteristics I can play better as a centre-back. I like playing in open field as we saw in Turin. At Marseille it was the same; I'm used to it." He acknowledged areas for development: "I still need to understand the defence's movements better. I want to grow mentally too. I'm not setting any limits." He is also thriving under Gasperini's coaching methods. "I get on well with his instructions. I feel that physically I improve day by day. His way of training is an advantage for me because in matches I feel strong." Looking ahead, Balerdi framed the Inter fixture as pivotal: "We must win without looking at who we have in front of us. A match that can give us the decisive click for the rest of the season." He concluded with his personal aims: "I want to do everything to stay here for a long time. Both in the national team and at Roma I want to win a trophy."

Radio commentators across Rome's main sports stations weighed in on Saturday's clash between Roma and Inter, the league leaders, with opinion divided over which team should be considered favourites and how Gasperini should set up his squad. Giancarlo Padovan backed Roma at 60–40 odds, saying: "The value will show itself over time. I give Roma 60% and Inter 40%; for me Roma wins tomorrow. But this is a discussion that must be seen over the long term. Roma is playing better and will assert its form, its enthusiasm, and for that reason Roma wins. But the championship is not finished: Inter's values will come out, and the head-to-head with Roma will go on until the end of the championship. Inter is capable of recovering any gap that might open tomorrow." David Rossi warned against complacency: "I see a danger — the idea is creeping into the Roma soul that we are favourites tomorrow, and I don't like this thing. Roma is a very important squad, but we must not fall into the error of thinking we are favourites. If Roma won tomorrow, and after five matches found itself top with a perfect record after winning the direct clash, would you think it is the favourite for the Scudetto? I don't. For me Inter would remain the favourite." Stefano Agresti called it level: "Roma is certainly playing better, the numbers say so — it has won matches dominating, some also under pressure — but I cannot forget what Inter is and its strength: I believe it continues to have something more than Roma as a squad. For me it is truly even." On team selection, Gianluca Piacentini suggested deploying Balerdi, Lulli and Pisilli as trequartista with Dybala and Malen in front, arguing that using a high midfielder would not abandon Gasperini's football. Lorenzo Pes favoured N'Dicka over Balerdi on Saturday evening because of structure, and predicted Wesley would move to the right flank for a duel with Dimarco if Molina played on the left. Alessio Nardo offered tactical advice: "I would give advice to our players for Saturday's match against Inter: shoot — shoot on goal. Martinez is a goalkeeper who is now insecure, suffering the moment. With the Olimpico being a cauldron and putting pressure, let us try to engage him and expose his limits." Piero Torri cautioned that after the international break, Como–Roma would be extremely tough, especially with South American players departing: "When the South Americans leave it is always tough: there is the long journey and the time zone to absorb."

Radja Nainggolan, the former Roma and Inter midfielder, reflected on his time in giallorosso colours during an interview with Radio Bruno Roma, touching on Sunday's Roma–Inter fixture and the club's summer recruitment. The big match remains Inter's to lose, he suggested: "I think Inter stay favourites to win the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri have built a strong squad, reached the Champions League final and have important reserves. The Scudetto Naples won last year, in my view, Inter lost. It will be a difficult match: Dybala can make the difference, he is a fantastic player." On Roma's transfer business, Nainggolan praised the early impact of defender Balerdi's personality and forward Santiago Castro's entry against Atalanta, though he noted Castro's latest display was less sharp. He believes Roma's new signings suit the team's current form. Back at the Olimpico for a match, he found the sold-out atmosphere striking: "When I was here it was different. If I have to thank Mourinho for one thing, it is that he brought people back to the stadium. The atmosphere is full, you see everyone singing: Roma is something else. It made an impression on me, it was a lovely experience." Asked whether Roma should attack or show more respect to Inter, Nainggolan insisted respect does not mean abandoning the offensive approach. "Roma has an identity, it has improved from last year. There is Mancini throwing himself forward too: these are things you notice. A team that wants to win must have its identity." On the goalkeeping contest, he rated Svilar's form: "Svilar played really well last year and he is confirming it. Martínez, on the other hand, is in his first year as starter: you feel the pressure. In the second goal against Udinese you see his error, but a goalkeeper has to make mistakes to learn." Pressed on defence, he would choose stability over the physical presence of N'Dicka or Balerdi for such a clash: "For a match like this, putting Balerdi in can be risky. I don't know what Gasperini will choose, but I would play with the more stable ones." On his departure from Roma itself, Nainggolan was candid. He said: "The first chance to play in Serie A was Roma: I would never have left, I did everything for Roma. The people respected me. But my personality is what it is: I hate falseness and false people, and when something goes against my values, I go. If you had asked me back then if I was happy to go to Inter or sad to leave Roma, I would have said I was sadder to leave Roma. I turned down offers from Chelsea and China to stay." He added that in today's Roma, with Malen's depth runs and the team's attacking philosophy, he would have thrived: "In this Roma I would have been well, I would have enjoyed myself. But unfortunately the era is different."

Leonardo Balerdi has opened up on his early weeks at Roma, revealing that he made the transfer non-negotiable after years at Marseille. In an interview with Il Tempo, the Argentine defender said he felt settled already: "I feel as if I've been here for at least three months. I've been welcomed brilliantly by everyone." He was adamant about his destination, telling the club: "There were other teams but at that point I said that if I didn't come here I would have stayed at Marseille." Balerdi described his Roma shirt as destiny. He explained: "When I had Strootman as a teammate I asked him to get me a Roma shirt, which I still keep at home. It was meant to be that I would wear it one day." He has also quickly built connections with his new teammates, singling out Manu Koné as particularly impressive. "Koné is an animal," he said. "I really like him a lot. The same with Malen—he was scoring lots of goals as soon as he arrived and he keeps doing it. Svilar as well. Maybe these three, apart from Dybala, have impressed me especially." On his style of play, Balerdi said he prefers a central defensive role: "By my characteristics I can play better as a centre-back. I like playing in open field as we saw in Turin. At Marseille it was the same; I'm used to it." He acknowledged areas for development: "I still need to understand the defence's movements better. I want to grow mentally too. I'm not setting any limits." He is also thriving under Gasperini's coaching methods. "I get on well with his instructions. I feel that physically I improve day by day. His way of training is an advantage for me because in matches I feel strong." Looking ahead, Balerdi framed the Inter fixture as pivotal: "We must win without looking at who we have in front of us. A match that can give us the decisive click for the rest of the season." He concluded with his personal aims: "I want to do everything to stay here for a long time. Both in the national team and at Roma I want to win a trophy."