Graziani on Roma's season start and Mourinho's return: 'When he left, I almost wept'

Aldo Serena, the former striker turned Sky pundit, has weighed in on Saturday's Roma–Inter clash, describing it as a defining examination for Gasperini's side. Serena praised Roma's early-season form, saying the team has been given an attacking game by the coach that is both eye-catching and concrete. "Gasperini has given them football that catches the eye with a physically sharp Dybala. The team attacks, entertains but is at the same time concrete thanks to that phenomenon that is Malen," Serena said. For Inter, Serena sees a tougher assignment on the defensive front. While highlighting the pace of Bonny, the agility of Thuram, the power of Pio Esposito and the quality of Lautaro, he suggested their summer acquisitions have improved the squad's overall calibre, but warned their defence needs work. "With the Roma match, it could be difficult," he concluded, noting that Inter cannot rely on comebacks if they want to progress in the Champions League.

Roma have conceded just one goal in their opening four league matches, reflecting the defensive solidity Gasperini has built with a central defence of the highest calibre. The additions of Balerdi and Koulierakis have reinforced a department already well-established, creating what Gasperini probably hoped to have available last season but did not. The wealth of options is now reshaping how the side defends. Evan N'Dicka commands the backline with his reading of play; Balerdi has impressed from the bench and in his league debut against Torino, winning over Roma's supporters. Gianluca Mancini has weathered early-season difficulties to deliver a strong performance at Torino. Mario Hermoso, the ever-reliable figure, has anchored the defence through demanding fixtures. Daniele Ghilardi impressed at Lecce, and Koulierakis waits his turn—however the combinations rotate, the defence stands as Roma's most complete department. Behind them, the goalkeeper between the posts no longer makes headlines, his standards now expected rather than celebrated. Roma lead Serie A with a single goal conceded so far. Among Europe's five major leagues, only Arsenal can match that defensive record. This defensive foundation arrives before Roma face Inter, whose forward line of Lautaro Martínez, Thuram, Esposito and Bonny has shown defensive frailty in their early season outings.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen have become the focal point of Roma's season, with their partnership producing record-breaking statistics since they began their connection on the pitch on 18 January. At Turin on 15 September, Malen scored his sixth Serie A goal of the campaign, set up by Dybala's through-ball that left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The pair have started together nine times and Roma have won eight of those matches and drawn one—the January fixture against Milan when Dybala was managing a meniscus problem. Excluding that Milan game, one or both players have recorded a goal or assist in every other appearance: ten goals for Malen, one for Dybala, and nine assists all provided by the Argentine. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised both players after the Turin result. Roma now face Inter at the Olimpico, a fixture that represents a significant challenge for both Gasperini's record against the club and Roma's own history at home in this fixture. The strength of Inter's defence will be tested by the creativity and finishing power of Roma's attacking tandem, who enter the match with considerable momentum and the backing of the Olimpico crowd. According to Lorenzo Pes writing in Il Tempo, the anticipation surrounding the Inter match is matched by the desire of Dybala and Malen to deliver another statement performance. Their partnership has captured the imagination of supporters with the scale of their statistical output—11 goals and nine assists between them across nine shared starts—setting a standard that could define Roma's season.

Aldo Serena, the former striker turned Sky pundit, has weighed in on Saturday's Roma–Inter clash, describing it as a defining examination for Gasperini's side. Serena praised Roma's early-season form, saying the team has been given an attacking game by the coach that is both eye-catching and concrete. "Gasperini has given them football that catches the eye with a physically sharp Dybala. The team attacks, entertains but is at the same time concrete thanks to that phenomenon that is Malen," Serena said. For Inter, Serena sees a tougher assignment on the defensive front. While highlighting the pace of Bonny, the agility of Thuram, the power of Pio Esposito and the quality of Lautaro, he suggested their summer acquisitions have improved the squad's overall calibre, but warned their defence needs work. "With the Roma match, it could be difficult," he concluded, noting that Inter cannot rely on comebacks if they want to progress in the Champions League.

Roma stayed top of Serie A alongside Inter after four matches with a victory away at Turin, extending their perfect record. Donyell Malen scored again, but the standout feature was a third clean sheet of the campaign: Mile Svilar's record in goal has been breached only by Atalanta's Ederson. The addition of Leonardo Balerdi to an already-settled back line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso has significantly strengthened the defence. Against Turin's forwards, Balerdi posted commanding numbers: 7 duels won, 11 defensive actions, 6 clearances—more than any other player on the pitch—plus 29 completed passes from 32 attempted, a success rate of 91%. He was combative in close defence and brave in pressing opponents into the attacking third. Gasperini benefits from the fact that Balerdi functions as an extra layer rather than a replacement for the established trio, giving Roma a more powerful shield while opponents face added danger in attack. The defence will face a stern examination on Saturday in a title clash against Inter, whose 13 goals make them the league's leading scorers. Last season Inter scored 6 goals against Roma—nearly one-fifth of all the goals Roma conceded in the entire Serie A campaign—a significant test of the giallorossi's defensive resilience.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen have become the focal point of Roma's season, with their partnership producing record-breaking statistics since they began their connection on the pitch on 18 January. At Turin on 15 September, Malen scored his sixth Serie A goal of the campaign, set up by Dybala's through-ball that left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The pair have started together nine times and Roma have won eight of those matches and drawn one—the January fixture against Milan when Dybala was managing a meniscus problem. Excluding that Milan game, one or both players have recorded a goal or assist in every other appearance: ten goals for Malen, one for Dybala, and nine assists all provided by the Argentine. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised both players after the Turin result. Roma now face Inter at the Olimpico, a fixture that represents a significant challenge for both Gasperini's record against the club and Roma's own history at home in this fixture. The strength of Inter's defence will be tested by the creativity and finishing power of Roma's attacking tandem, who enter the match with considerable momentum and the backing of the Olimpico crowd. According to Lorenzo Pes writing in Il Tempo, the anticipation surrounding the Inter match is matched by the desire of Dybala and Malen to deliver another statement performance. Their partnership has captured the imagination of supporters with the scale of their statistical output—11 goals and nine assists between them across nine shared starts—setting a standard that could define Roma's season.