Gasperini: Unity across club, squad and fans is helping us. Roma-Inter is not a title race yet

Santiago Castro has praised the atmosphere at Roma ahead of tomorrow's match against Inter, saying the coach creates an environment where every player feels valued. Speaking to DAZN hours before kick-off, the 21-year-old Argentine highlighted the quality of his teammates and Gasperini's man-management approach. "With him you never feel like a reserve or a starter," Castro said. "You always have to be ready, always at your best, both in training and in matches. That's really important and I think it makes all the players feel good." Castro, who joined Roma from Bologna, drew a contrast between the two clubs' squads. "When you arrive at a team like Roma you find players in front of you like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived. We have many high-level players," he explained. "At Bologna I found many quality players too, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because I can take something from every teammate and always learn." He singled out Dybala and Malen for special praise, describing them as players who impress fans every week but reveal far more in daily training. "Paulo has a left foot that few people have. I think he's one of the best left-footed players in Italy's history, even at world level," Castro said. "From Donyell you have to take that meanness to go and score goals, the cunning, the movements he has and then the shot, which is crazy." Gasperini's tactical demands on Castro focus on positioning and team play. "The main thing the manager asks me is to always keep my body facing the goal, not to always play with my back to goal because that way I'm not dangerous," Castro explained. "He asks me to always be in the match, to attack, to play for the team. For him it's important to score goals, but also to give an assist, because that's something that helps the team and gives a great hand to everyone." Castro also reflected on his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta, calling it "a moment of great pride" and crediting the fans for their support during the match. On Inter's challenge, Castro acknowledged the quality of both squads. "It will always be difficult to face teams with this type of players, because they also, like us, have world-class players and big names," he said. "It will be a beautiful match to watch from outside: a hot stadium, two teams that arrive well, with the same points, many goals scored and few conceded. It will definitely be nice to see." Roma and Inter sit level on points after four matches. Castro also praised Lautaro Martinez as "a very strong player" and captain of one of Italy's biggest teams.

Santiago Castro has given his first substantial interview since joining Roma, speaking to DAZN about his early weeks at the club, his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and the quality of his fellow attackers. The 21-year-old Argentine striker, who arrived this summer from Bologna, reflected on the step up in class and the challenge of competing with established forwards in the Giallorossi squad. Castro highlighted the calibre of his new teammates, naming Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora as examples of the standard he now faces daily. He said: "Sì, certo. Quando arrivi in una squadra come la Roma ti trovi davanti giocatori come Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé e adesso è arrivato anche Rodrigo Mora." On training alongside Dybala and Malen, he remarked: "Paulo e Donyell sono giocatori che impressionano i tifosi ogni settimana e noi che li vediamo ogni giorno. Noi che ci alleniamo con loro vediamo cose che sembrano appartenere a un altro sport." He praised Dybala's left foot as among the finest in Italy and the world, and commended Malen's aggression, movement and shooting ability. Gasperini's management style has impressed Castro, who said the coach emphasizes constant readiness over any hierarchy of starting players. "Con lui non ti senti mai una riserva o un titolare: devi sempre essere pronto, sempre al massimo, sia in allenamento sia in partita," Castro explained. The striker also recalled his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta as a proud moment at age 21, noting the warmth of the crowd as a powerful motivator. He expressed respect for Inter's Lautaro Martinez ahead of the upcoming fixture, describing him as "un grandissimo giocatore, molto forte" and noting his consistency in Serie A and leadership of one of Italy's biggest clubs. Castro also touched on the group atmosphere at Roma, mentioning the presence of several Argentine players and praising the cohesion with staff and international teammates alike. On wearing the number 9 shirt, he said: "È bello pensare a tutti i giocatori che hanno avuto la numero 9 nella Roma. Sono stati tanti e hanno fatto tantissime cose importanti, come Balbo e altri grandi attaccanti. Io spero solamente di riuscire a fare anche solo una piccola parte di quello che hanno fatto loro."

Santiago Castro has reflected on his early weeks at Roma, discussing his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his debut experience at the Olimpico, speaking to DAZN hours before the Inter match. Castro highlighted the quality difference between his former club Bologna and Roma, pointing to the calibre of players available: "When you arrive at a club like Roma you find yourself facing players like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived too. We are many players of great quality. At Bologna I also found many quality footballers, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because from every teammate I can take something and always learn." Castro's comments underscore Roma's attacking depth as they prepare to face Inter. The 21-year-old forward, who joined Roma this summer from Bologna, has integrated quickly into Gasperini's squad and benefits from direct competition with experienced forwards.

Santiago Castro has praised the atmosphere at Roma ahead of tomorrow's match against Inter, saying the coach creates an environment where every player feels valued. Speaking to DAZN hours before kick-off, the 21-year-old Argentine highlighted the quality of his teammates and Gasperini's man-management approach. "With him you never feel like a reserve or a starter," Castro said. "You always have to be ready, always at your best, both in training and in matches. That's really important and I think it makes all the players feel good." Castro, who joined Roma from Bologna, drew a contrast between the two clubs' squads. "When you arrive at a team like Roma you find players in front of you like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived. We have many high-level players," he explained. "At Bologna I found many quality players too, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because I can take something from every teammate and always learn." He singled out Dybala and Malen for special praise, describing them as players who impress fans every week but reveal far more in daily training. "Paulo has a left foot that few people have. I think he's one of the best left-footed players in Italy's history, even at world level," Castro said. "From Donyell you have to take that meanness to go and score goals, the cunning, the movements he has and then the shot, which is crazy." Gasperini's tactical demands on Castro focus on positioning and team play. "The main thing the manager asks me is to always keep my body facing the goal, not to always play with my back to goal because that way I'm not dangerous," Castro explained. "He asks me to always be in the match, to attack, to play for the team. For him it's important to score goals, but also to give an assist, because that's something that helps the team and gives a great hand to everyone." Castro also reflected on his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta, calling it "a moment of great pride" and crediting the fans for their support during the match. On Inter's challenge, Castro acknowledged the quality of both squads. "It will always be difficult to face teams with this type of players, because they also, like us, have world-class players and big names," he said. "It will be a beautiful match to watch from outside: a hot stadium, two teams that arrive well, with the same points, many goals scored and few conceded. It will definitely be nice to see." Roma and Inter sit level on points after four matches. Castro also praised Lautaro Martinez as "a very strong player" and captain of one of Italy's biggest teams.

Santiago Castro has given his first substantial interview since joining Roma, speaking to DAZN about his early weeks at the club, his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and the quality of his fellow attackers. The 21-year-old Argentine striker, who arrived this summer from Bologna, reflected on the step up in class and the challenge of competing with established forwards in the Giallorossi squad. Castro highlighted the calibre of his new teammates, naming Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora as examples of the standard he now faces daily. He said: "Sì, certo. Quando arrivi in una squadra come la Roma ti trovi davanti giocatori come Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé e adesso è arrivato anche Rodrigo Mora." On training alongside Dybala and Malen, he remarked: "Paulo e Donyell sono giocatori che impressionano i tifosi ogni settimana e noi che li vediamo ogni giorno. Noi che ci alleniamo con loro vediamo cose che sembrano appartenere a un altro sport." He praised Dybala's left foot as among the finest in Italy and the world, and commended Malen's aggression, movement and shooting ability. Gasperini's management style has impressed Castro, who said the coach emphasizes constant readiness over any hierarchy of starting players. "Con lui non ti senti mai una riserva o un titolare: devi sempre essere pronto, sempre al massimo, sia in allenamento sia in partita," Castro explained. The striker also recalled his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta as a proud moment at age 21, noting the warmth of the crowd as a powerful motivator. He expressed respect for Inter's Lautaro Martinez ahead of the upcoming fixture, describing him as "un grandissimo giocatore, molto forte" and noting his consistency in Serie A and leadership of one of Italy's biggest clubs. Castro also touched on the group atmosphere at Roma, mentioning the presence of several Argentine players and praising the cohesion with staff and international teammates alike. On wearing the number 9 shirt, he said: "È bello pensare a tutti i giocatori che hanno avuto la numero 9 nella Roma. Sono stati tanti e hanno fatto tantissime cose importanti, come Balbo e altri grandi attaccanti. Io spero solamente di riuscire a fare anche solo una piccola parte di quello che hanno fatto loro."

Santiago Castro has reflected on his early weeks at Roma, discussing his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his debut experience at the Olimpico, speaking to DAZN hours before the Inter match. Castro highlighted the quality difference between his former club Bologna and Roma, pointing to the calibre of players available: "When you arrive at a club like Roma you find yourself facing players like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived too. We are many players of great quality. At Bologna I also found many quality footballers, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because from every teammate I can take something and always learn." Castro's comments underscore Roma's attacking depth as they prepare to face Inter. The 21-year-old forward, who joined Roma this summer from Bologna, has integrated quickly into Gasperini's squad and benefits from direct competition with experienced forwards.

Santiago Castro has praised the atmosphere at Roma ahead of tomorrow's match against Inter, saying the coach creates an environment where every player feels valued. Speaking to DAZN hours before kick-off, the 21-year-old Argentine highlighted the quality of his teammates and Gasperini's man-management approach. "With him you never feel like a reserve or a starter," Castro said. "You always have to be ready, always at your best, both in training and in matches. That's really important and I think it makes all the players feel good." Castro, who joined Roma from Bologna, drew a contrast between the two clubs' squads. "When you arrive at a team like Roma you find players in front of you like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived. We have many high-level players," he explained. "At Bologna I found many quality players too, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because I can take something from every teammate and always learn." He singled out Dybala and Malen for special praise, describing them as players who impress fans every week but reveal far more in daily training. "Paulo has a left foot that few people have. I think he's one of the best left-footed players in Italy's history, even at world level," Castro said. "From Donyell you have to take that meanness to go and score goals, the cunning, the movements he has and then the shot, which is crazy." Gasperini's tactical demands on Castro focus on positioning and team play. "The main thing the manager asks me is to always keep my body facing the goal, not to always play with my back to goal because that way I'm not dangerous," Castro explained. "He asks me to always be in the match, to attack, to play for the team. For him it's important to score goals, but also to give an assist, because that's something that helps the team and gives a great hand to everyone." Castro also reflected on his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta, calling it "a moment of great pride" and crediting the fans for their support during the match. On Inter's challenge, Castro acknowledged the quality of both squads. "It will always be difficult to face teams with this type of players, because they also, like us, have world-class players and big names," he said. "It will be a beautiful match to watch from outside: a hot stadium, two teams that arrive well, with the same points, many goals scored and few conceded. It will definitely be nice to see." Roma and Inter sit level on points after four matches. Castro also praised Lautaro Martinez as "a very strong player" and captain of one of Italy's biggest teams.

Santiago Castro has given his first substantial interview since joining Roma, speaking to DAZN about his early weeks at the club, his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and the quality of his fellow attackers. The 21-year-old Argentine striker, who arrived this summer from Bologna, reflected on the step up in class and the challenge of competing with established forwards in the Giallorossi squad. Castro highlighted the calibre of his new teammates, naming Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora as examples of the standard he now faces daily. He said: "Sì, certo. Quando arrivi in una squadra come la Roma ti trovi davanti giocatori come Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé e adesso è arrivato anche Rodrigo Mora." On training alongside Dybala and Malen, he remarked: "Paulo e Donyell sono giocatori che impressionano i tifosi ogni settimana e noi che li vediamo ogni giorno. Noi che ci alleniamo con loro vediamo cose che sembrano appartenere a un altro sport." He praised Dybala's left foot as among the finest in Italy and the world, and commended Malen's aggression, movement and shooting ability. Gasperini's management style has impressed Castro, who said the coach emphasizes constant readiness over any hierarchy of starting players. "Con lui non ti senti mai una riserva o un titolare: devi sempre essere pronto, sempre al massimo, sia in allenamento sia in partita," Castro explained. The striker also recalled his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta as a proud moment at age 21, noting the warmth of the crowd as a powerful motivator. He expressed respect for Inter's Lautaro Martinez ahead of the upcoming fixture, describing him as "un grandissimo giocatore, molto forte" and noting his consistency in Serie A and leadership of one of Italy's biggest clubs. Castro also touched on the group atmosphere at Roma, mentioning the presence of several Argentine players and praising the cohesion with staff and international teammates alike. On wearing the number 9 shirt, he said: "È bello pensare a tutti i giocatori che hanno avuto la numero 9 nella Roma. Sono stati tanti e hanno fatto tantissime cose importanti, come Balbo e altri grandi attaccanti. Io spero solamente di riuscire a fare anche solo una piccola parte di quello che hanno fatto loro."

Santiago Castro has reflected on his early weeks at Roma, discussing his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his debut experience at the Olimpico, speaking to DAZN hours before the Inter match. Castro highlighted the quality difference between his former club Bologna and Roma, pointing to the calibre of players available: "When you arrive at a club like Roma you find yourself facing players like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived too. We are many players of great quality. At Bologna I also found many quality footballers, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because from every teammate I can take something and always learn." Castro's comments underscore Roma's attacking depth as they prepare to face Inter. The 21-year-old forward, who joined Roma this summer from Bologna, has integrated quickly into Gasperini's squad and benefits from direct competition with experienced forwards.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to DAZN on the eve of Roma's match against Inter at the Olimpico on 19 September, reflecting on the club's strong start to the season and addressing key themes around the squad's growth, individual performances, and the competitive challenges ahead. Gasperini stressed that while Inter remain the benchmark for Italian football, Roma have emerged with genuine momentum after their 5–2 defeat to Inter last season. He described the recovery as a "grandissima reazione" (very strong reaction) and emphasised that the team has maintained consistency since then. On the new campaign, he noted that Roma benefit from having worked together for a full year: "Rispetto allo scorso anno partivamo avvantaggiati, avendo avuto un anno insieme" (Compared to last year we started with an advantage, having had a year together). He praised the unity binding environment, squad, tifosi and society as the club's greatest strength, and said the new regulations have enhanced the quality of Serie A football, with fans the most satisfied. On individual players, Gasperini said of Paulo Dybala: "È un campione recuperato al nostro calcio" (He is a champion recovered for Italian football), noting the Argentine has finally achieved the consistency of form he lacked in recent years. He stressed that Emanuele Lulli plays because he merits it, rejecting any suggestion of giving opportunities for short-term fixes—"Non lancio giovani per fare sconti o per abbreviare la carriera a qualcuno, lo faccio perché è merito loro" (I don't throw young players in to make shortcuts or cut anyone else's career short; I do it because they deserve it). On Leonardo Balerdi's early impact, Gasperini said the defender "si è presentato preparato al di là che non abbia fatto gran parte della preparazione con noi" (presented himself prepared despite not having done much of the pre-season preparation with us). He praised the partnership between Dybala and Donyell Malen, highlighting Dybala's ability to spot Malen's runs and the winger's capacity to turn straightforward chances into goals. Gasperini cautioned against premature title talk five matches in, instead emphasising realistic objectives: "Si può parlare di obiettivi solo dopo una ventina di partite" (You can only talk about objectives after about twenty matches). Roma's next fixtures are Como, Inter, and Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Roma and Inter prepare for the Serie A title decider in the fifth round of matches, with Gian Piero Gasperini naming a complete squad for the fixture. Mario Hermoso is fully fit after recovering from a minor training injury, making all players available for selection. The match carries significance in the battle for outright league leadership. Gasperini's squad list includes all defensive options: Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield personnel comprise Cristante, Pellegrini, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named 23 players for Roma's Serie A match against Inter, a fifth-round fixture taking place today at the Olimpico. Mario Hermoso returns after sustaining a minor ankle injury in recent days, and Lorenzo Pellegrini is included. Evan N'Dicka, Wesley and Manu Koné have all recovered from issues that sidelined them in recent weeks. Gasperini's squad includes goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. The defence comprises Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options are Bryan Cristante, Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The attacking players available are Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.