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Gasperini recovers players ahead of Roma-Inter; Massa to referee
·16 September 2026·45d ago

Gasperini recovers players ahead of Roma-Inter; Massa to referee

Source: Roma News

Evan N'Dicka and Wesley trained normally on 16 September, while Mario Hermoso undertook separate work due to a minor ankle injury but is expected to be available for Saturday's match against Inter. Davide Massa will referee the fixture, with assistants Meli and Berti, fourth official Maresca, VAR Mazzoleni and AVAR Di Paolo. Massa's record against Roma stands at 10 wins, 12 draws and 12 defeats in 34 matches, while Inter have won 23, drawn 5 and lost 5 of their 33 previous encounters with him.

Donyell Malen's strong start to the season—six goals and one assist—has attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Arsenal have made initial exploratory contact, but no official offers or negotiations with Roma exist. The club views Malen as central to Gasperini's project and has no intention of selling him in January. Malen is contracted until 2030 and Roma value him at approximately 60 million euros.

Sabatini told Radio Radio Pomeriggio: "If I think back a year ago, it's the same situation: Inter won with a goal after 10 minutes. Roma play more football, not for the three points, but because they have the opportunity to land a blow on Inter that could hurt them. Knocking Inter out with three weeks of second thoughts would be an important result from a moral standpoint." Piero Torri on Radio Manà Manà Sport said: "For me a great team never adapts to opponents but always imposes its way of playing. Pisilli as a trequartista behind Dybala and Malen could be a move to try to surprise Inter, but in my opinion the team is used to playing in a certain manner. On the counter-attack Inter can really hurt you."

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Roma will face Inter on Saturday with Davide Massa as referee, alongside assistants Meli and Berti, fourth official Maresca, VAR Mazzoleni and AVAR Di Paolo. Massa's record against Roma presents a mixed picture: across 34 matches, Roma have won 10, drawn 12 and lost 12 against him, while Inter have fared considerably better with 23 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats in 33 previous encounters. Forza Roma notes that the official's history against the Giallorossi is regarded as unfavourable, though head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed confidence in Massa, saying he will be "perfect".

On the injury front, Roma News reports that Evan N'Dicka and Wesley trained normally on 16 September, while Mario Hermoso undertook separate work due to a minor ankle injury but is expected to be available. Gasperini acknowledged Inter's considerable strength ahead of the fixture, stating "Inter are considerably stronger, but we will try to get involved." Roma held their final training session on 18 September before entering a retreat at Trigoria as part of Gasperini's preparation strategy.

Off the pitch, Roma News reports that Donyell Malen's strong early-season form—six goals and one assist—has attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, with Arsenal making initial exploratory contact. However, no official offers or negotiations exist. Roma view Malen as central to Gasperini's project and have no intention of selling him in January. He is contracted until 2030 and valued at approximately 60 million euros.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“NEWS DELLA GIORNATA – Tutte le notizie della giornata giallorossa raccolte in un solo articolo. Buona lettura!. La Roma è scesa in campo nel pomeriggio per la seduta di allenamento. Ndicka e Wesley hanno lavorato regolarmente con il gruppo, mentre Hermoso ha svolto lavoro differenziato a causa di…”

Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.

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