Roma face Inter at the Olimpico on 19 September with kickoff at 18:00 in a sold-out fixture, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming his full squad is available for the match. Both sides arrive with perfect records, but Gasperini acknowledged Inter's status as the benchmark in Serie A. "Inter is the reference team for our championship and everyone else's," he said. "It's a team doing extraordinary things in Italy and in Europe, with two finals in recent times, it's very strong, recognised by everyone. Then for the others it's a reference point, to try to get closer and compete with them, it's an ambition for everyone because their strength is recognised."
Gasperini framed Roma's ambition within realistic terms, describing the task as one of insertion into an ever-higher band of the league rather than overtaking Inter. "We're looking to insert ourselves into an increasingly higher tier of the championship," he explained. On Inter's advantage over Roma specifically, he said: "I think against everyone they have something more, the results show it and they are striking. You have to also have the serenity to recognise it. We look at ourselves, not others: I'm satisfied with what we're doing." The coach also reflected on his record against Inter, noting that results have shifted in their favour in recent seasons despite changes in their managerial personnel. "It can be that they've been my kryptonite," he said. "There was a period where I found results with Inter, in recent years that hasn't been the case. The coaches have also changed: Conte, Inzaghi, Chivu, and the result hasn't changed."
On team news, Gasperini confirmed that Manu Koné, Evan N'Dicka and Wesley are all available for selection, with Lorenzo Pellegrini also fit after training with the squad for two consecutive weeks. "It's extraordinary because it happens rarely," Gasperini said of having his full complement. "Then of course, there's someone who is better and worse, there was also some flu. Today is the final training session, but we'll all be there." He backed young defender Emanuele Lulli as capable of performing at this level, noting: "If he plays in the league he's able to do the same in the Champions League. He's young, he's making a path, skipping stages quickly. I look at the present and yes, I'm satisfied with him."
On tactical flexibility for the Inter match, Gasperini indicated willingness to adapt his approach. When asked whether Niccolò Pisilli or Bryan Cristante might play in an attacking midfield role, he said: "For me it's fundamental to try to do everything for the result. Every match is different, performances change, players change. It's fundamental to read the situation at the right moment. Against Atalanta I put two defenders to win it, for example. Even changes between defenders must be considered."
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Roma host Inter at the Olimpico on 19 September at 18:00 in a top-of-the-table clash with more than 60,000 spectators expected and gates opening at 15:30. Both sides arrive unbeaten after four matches, with the winner potentially holding first place through the international break. Gasperini has confirmed his full squad is available, describing it as extraordinary given how rarely such completeness occurs. Key players Manu Koné, Evan N'Dicka and Wesley are all fit, as is Lorenzo Pellegrini after two weeks of consecutive training.
Roma are expected to line up in their familiar 3–4–2–1 formation with Svilar in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Molina and Wesley as wing-backs, Cristante and Koné in midfield, Soulé and Dybala in attacking positions, and Malen leading the line. Gasperini acknowledged Inter's superior status while framing Roma's ambition as one of insertion into an increasingly higher tier rather than overtaking them. "Inter are clearly much stronger and are a reference point for all Italian teams," he said, adding that Roma "will try to insert themselves" and acknowledging that "they have something more" across the board. He also reflected candidly on his record against Inter, suggesting they may have been his "kryptonite" in recent years despite managerial changes from Conte through Inzaghi to Chivu.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Alzare l’asticella, senza smettere di correre. La Roma arriva al primo grande incrocio della stagione con entusiasmo, risultati e una classifica che accende inevitabilmente i sogni dei tifosi. Domani alle 18 all’Olimpico (tutto esaurito) arriva l’Inter, a bottino pieno come i giallorossi e squadra…”
Read the full article in Italian at Il Messaggero – Roma.
