El Aynaoui runs extra to impress Gasperini as Roma midfielder seeks breakthrough

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on the eve of Roma's encounter with Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, 19 September at 18:00. Roma arrive at the fixture with a perfect record after four matches, level on points with Inter at the top of the Serie A table. The coach acknowledged the significance of the clash as the season's first major test. Gasperini emphasised the positive atmosphere surrounding the match. "There is satisfaction in arriving at such an important fixture in this league position. It's a great appointment, a full stadium, tremendous enthusiasm. I would dwell on this feeling of a much-anticipated match at the start of the season, very positive on both sides," he said. Asked whether the enthusiasm posed a risk, he replied: "No, these are positive energies that must be gathered. Of course, when things go less well there is the risk of becoming too depressed. We think about playing in a favourable environment—these are fine matches to play, also for the people." On Inter's status as the season's benchmark, Gasperini stated: "Inter is the reference team of our championship, doing extraordinary things in Italy and also in Europe. It is a very strong team. For other teams it is a reference point to try to draw closer, precisely because Inter's strength at this moment is recognised." He confirmed that all players would be available for Saturday, including Koné, N'Dicka, Wesley, and Pellegrini. "I continue to cross my fingers: we all are here for tomorrow, and that alone is an extraordinary result. Some minor bumps are normal; today there is the final training session and even the small things will be overcome. Pellegrini is in his second week of training, can do everything, is available. In his case the long break may be useful—we will see if it is worth doing some friendlies," Gasperini said. He also defended his tactical flexibility, noting that tactical choices were made to win matches. "I did it with Atalanta by putting two defenders, but to win it, not to lose it. One must get used to changes of defenders; when you change attackers this should also be considered." Referee Massa will handle the match on Saturday. Gasperini concluded by stressing continuity: "I expect nothing different from what we have done until now. We must arrive aware that we have been clever in creating this type of match, and we will try to play at the best of our possibilities."

Donyell Malen has been named in the Netherlands squad by new head coach Xavi Hernández for the first time. The Roma forward was among 26 players selected as Xavi began his tenure as national team manager, replacing Ronald Koeman. Malen's inclusion reflects a strong start to the season at Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini, during which he has become one of the team's principal attacking players. Xavi has signed a contract with the Dutch federation until 2030 and has opted to retain Malen despite the forward's disappointing World Cup, when he failed to replicate the form he has shown in Roma colours. Under Koeman, Malen had been used in various tactical experiments and different positions. The new coaching era offers fresh opportunity for the Roma forward, who will report to the national team camp in strong form after his impressive recent performances in the Giallorossi shirt. Malen struggled to perform at the required level during the World Cup, but his return to favour with a new Netherlands regime reflects his consistency this season. The selection comes after Roma's strong start to the 2026-27 campaign, where Malen has established himself as a key attacking outlet under Gasperini's direction.

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.

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.

As Roma and Inter prepare to meet this week, the two clubs' transfer philosophies have diverged sharply over the past two years. The Friedkin Group has committed €211m in investment across two seasons under Gian Piero Gasperini, while Inter's owners Oaktree have adopted a more cautious strategy, spending €186m under Cristian Chivu with an emphasis on youth development and financial stability. In Gasperini's first season at Roma (2025-26), the club invested €86.5m across the transfer window and January. Summer arrivals included Wesley (€25m) and El Aynaoui (€23m), followed by Robinio Vaz (€20m) in January and a costly loan deal for Donyell Malen (€2m). The squad was further bolstered by acquisitions and loans involving Ziolkowski, Bailey, Ferguson, Ghilardi and Zaragoza. The current 2026-27 campaign has seen Roma spend €124.5m, with major moves including the permanent purchase of Malen (€25m), Santiago Castro (€35m), Rodrigo Mora (€25m), Konstantinos Koulierakis (€16.5m), Nahuel Molina (€13m) and Marten de Roon (€1m), plus the redemption of Ghilardi (€8m) and the loan of Leonardo Balerdi (€1m). Over two years, these investments have increased the squad's salary and amortisation costs by approximately €15m. Inter's approach under Oaktree reflects cost containment and team development. During Chivu's first season they acquired younger talent including Luis Henrique (€24.5m), Bonny (€23m), Diouf (€20m) and Sucic (€15.5m), plus Akanji on loan (€1m), totalling €84m. The 2026-27 window has seen just €102m committed to signings, bringing cumulative Chivu-era spending to €186m. Unlike Roma, Inter has cut squad costs by approximately €10m over the same period, inheriting a competitive core that required less overhaul.

AS Roma have spent €211 million on transfers since Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival in summer 2025, significantly more than Inter's €186 million under Cristian Chivu over the same period. The spending patterns reflect differing philosophies between owner Friedkin, who readily invests in quality acquisitions, and Inter's ownership Oaktree, which has prioritised young prospects and financial stability. Gasperini received immediate backing from Friedkin in summer 2025 with two signings over €20 million each: Wesley for €25 million and Neil El Aynaoui for €23 million. That window also brought Ziolkowski for €6.5 million and loans including Bailey (€3m), Evan Ferguson (€3m), Ghilardi (€2m) and Zaragoza (€2m), totalling €86.5 million. The 2026-27 season saw heavier investment: Donyell Malen's loan made permanent for €25 million, Santiago Castro for €35 million, Rodrigo Mora for €25 million, Konstantinos Koulierakis for €16.5 million, and Nahuel Molina for €13 million. Ghilardi was bought out for €8 million, while Leonardo Balerdi joined on loan for €1 million. Marten de Roon arrived for €1 million, bringing the current season's total to €124.5 million. Inter's approach under Chivu has centred on younger profiles. Summer 2025 signings were Luis Henrique (€24.5 million), Bonny (€23 million), Diouf (€20 million) and Sucie (€15.5 million), plus Akanji on loan (€1 million) — €84 million total. This season added Provedel for €3 million, reaching €102 million. The comparison shows stark strategic differences: Roma's squad cost rose by approximately €15 million through wages, amortisation and loan fees since summer 2025, while Inter's squad cost fell by roughly €10 million over the same span, reflecting their contrasting investment and salary philosophies.

Roma's flying form has sparked title-race optimism among the club's supporters, with actor Carlo Verdone telling Corriere dello Sport that this season could be their moment. Verdone praised head coach Gasperini's work, saying: "It could be the right year, yes. Gasperini is doing a huge job, he's brought out genuinely incredible players and the squad is performing very well." He singled out defender Emanuele Lulli as an unexpected prospect and midfielders Niccolò Pisilli and Leonardo Balerdi for particular praise, with Verdone describing Balerdi—a recent arrival—as "very strong" and predicting Lulli will soon feature for Italy. On the threat posed by Inter, Verdone acknowledged the challenge ahead. "Inter are genuinely frightening, without doubt," he said. "They're a team that becomes a force when they attack—we've seen that in this opening stretch of the season and last season under a good coach like Chivu. But Inter can also give something away, as the Udinese match showed. Roma have the best defence in the league, but the Nerazzurri are always scary."

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."

Gian Piero Gasperini has almost his full squad available for Roma's clash with Inter, with Mario Hermoso back in training after an ankle contusion that forced him to miss Wednesday's session. The Spanish defender is now set to reclaim his place in the back line, though the team's defensive shape remains fluid with three significant selection dilemmas still unresolved. The primary doubt centres on the centre of defence, where Evan N'Dicka holds a slight edge over Leonardo Balerdi following the Argentine's strong performance in Turin. Balerdi's pace in covering and recovery could prove valuable against Inter's attackers in what Roma expect to be an open contest. With Gianluca Mancini likely on the right side of a back three, Hermoso completing the unit, and Mile Svilar in goal, the most probable defensive line is Mancini–N'Dicka–Hermoso, though Balerdi remains a serious challenger to the Ivorian until the final decision. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli currently leads Nahuel Molina, with the choice complicated by the need to contain Dimarco, one of Inter's primary creative forces. Wesley should retain the left-back role. Midfield offers fewer surprises: Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné remain the leading candidates to start. The real tactical intrigue lies in the attacking third. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are untouchable; the third attacking role remains open. Matías Soulé is pressing for inclusion, Rodrigo Mora remains an alternative, but Niccolò Pisilli warrants particular attention. Deploying the midfielder in a more advanced position would allow Roma to shift defensively, recreating a three-man midfield line and matching Inter's numerical strength in that area—a solution with significant tactical weight against a team that has troubled Gasperini for years through rotations between fullbacks, wing-backs and centre-backs. Gasperini has termed the match a "bank of prova" (test). Three genuine doubts persist: N'Dicka versus Balerdi, Lulli versus Molina, and Soulé versus Pisilli versus Mora. Roma have not beaten Inter at the Olimpico in ten years, and the tactical detail could prove decisive.