Heart and Head: Roma Soaring

Rome's radio stations offered their verdict on Roma's latest performance, with broadcasters drawing parallels between the club and Serie A's title contenders. Roberto Pruzzo on Radio Radio noted Roma's quality in the opening half hour, praising Donyell Malen as decisive and dangerous, and Paulo Dybala for demonstrating good fitness. Sandro Sabatini also called it a strong display, highlighting Roma's attacking control when ahead and singling out Leonardo Balerdi as an unexpected standout, though he pointed to Inter's defensive vulnerabilities as a contrast. Lorenzo Pes on Teleradiostereo made the boldest assessment, saying Roma have emerged as a genuine title contender alongside Inter and Como. He underlined Roma's recent defensive record—just one goal conceded in four matches—and identified centre-backs Hermoso and Mancini as a significant asset. Pes also praised Balerdi's composure and speed, and expressed surprise at Marten de Roon's quick adaptation, suggesting the midfielder's presence could complicate Gasperini's team selection in the defensive line. Pes stated: "The Roma team has become a certainty, together with Como and Inter." He noted that Inter's next opponent will be Roma after the international break, followed by Como. Pes also observed that Roma's setup differs markedly from the fixture between the clubs last season, marking a shift in how the team approaches its challenges.

Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli scored as Roma won at Torino to extend their perfect start to the season to four consecutive Serie A victories. Malen's goal opened the scoring — his sixth of the campaign — before Pisilli added a second in injury time to secure the points. The display showed the defensive leadership of Leonardo Balerdi and the tactical impact of Gasperini's substitutions, with Nahuel Molina's performance on the wing and Marten de Roon's immediate influence after coming on praised for order and authority. Pisilli, deployed in the starting midfield alongside Bryan Cristante, was the standout performer. The academy product answered summer transfer speculation that had linked him with a possible exit by delivering a complete display built on work rate, game management and consistency. Gasperini demands exactly this standard and Pisilli continued to deliver it without prompting. Roma maintained their compact shape throughout at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, demonstrating the mature, solid and ambitious structure that has underpinned their four consecutive league wins and unbeaten record this season.

Leonardo Balerdi earned the highest rating from match reviewers after Roma's victory in Turin on 15 September, recording an average of 7.5, ahead of Donyell Malen (7.4) and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini (7.3). Niccolò Pisilli and Paulo Dybala both scored 7, with Pisilli netting Roma's second goal despite cramping, while Matías Soulé (5.9) and substitute Rodrigo Mora (5.4) struggled in comparison. Referee Fabio Maresca received divided marks for his performance: 5 from Gazzetta dello Sport, 6.5 from Corriere dello Sport and 6 from Il Romanista. The key incident centred on a challenge by Comuzzo on a cross from Nahuel Molina, which was adjudged to strike the defender's chest rather than his arm, making the non-award of a penalty correct. Both of Roma's goals were considered correctly allowed. Meanwhile, Inter face uncertainty ahead of their Serie A fixture against Roma on Saturday: midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is in serious doubt after missing the match against Udinese with adductor fatigue. He underwent examinations on 15 September. Manchester City's John Stones also suffered injury during the week, suffering a hamstring problem and requiring reassessment.

Evan N'Dicka and Wesley will be available for Roma's match against Inter at the Olimpico on Saturday, despite recent minor fitness concerns. N'Dicka, who had an intestinal virus and some light fatigue, is expected to reclaim his place in defence, though Leonardo Balerdi's performance in Turin means the decision carries some conditionality. Wesley will operate regularly on the left, while the right-back position will see competition between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Manu Koné will return to the starting lineup after his absence. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains on the bench as part of his gradual reintegration following the international break. Roma approach their most difficult fixture of the season with a fully available squad.

Roma extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in Serie A with a commanding 2–0 away victory at Torino, goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli securing the club's fourth consecutive win at the start of the 2026–27 season. The nine-game streak combines four wins from this campaign's opening phase with the final stretch of last season—a run Roma have not achieved since 2014–15. The result keeps Roma level on points with Inter, who visit the Olimpico on Saturday for a fixture scheduled before the international break. Despite managing an injury emergency and enforced rotation following Champions League action, manager Gian Piero Gasperini's side played with notable control and personality. Leonardo Balerdi made his first Serie A start in place of an injured Evan N'Dicka, while Nahuel Molina also started. Malen opened the scoring in the 40th minute, latching onto a loose ball after Gianluca Mancini's high press and a Paulo Dybala assist, for his sixth league goal of the campaign. In the second half, Roma managed the game with maturity, their defence marshalled by a commanding Balerdi performance, while Mile Svilar made a decisive save on Simeone. Gasperini introduced Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Santiago Castro and Rodrigo Mora from the bench, injecting fresh energy and tactical clarity. Pisilli sealed the win in injury time with a right-footed finish, converting after Mancini's generous play with a loose ball, in a display that reinforced Roma's current form ahead of Saturday's meeting with the defending champions.

Roma extended their perfect start to the season with a commanding 2–0 victory at Turin, maintaining their position at the top of Serie A with four wins in four matches and twelve points. Donyell Malen opened the scoring in the first half after a mistake by Perri allowed Gianluca Mancini to set up Paulo Dybala, who crossed for the Dutch forward to finish from close range — his sixth goal in four games. Torino pressed after the interval, with Simone forcing an excellent save from Mile Svilar, but Roma controlled the match throughout. Mario Hermoso produced an outstanding defensive performance, highlighted by an impressive recovery against Bragança that drew applause from the crowd. Gian Piero Gasperini introduced fresh legs in the form of Marten de Roon and Manu Koné to shield the midfield, while managing energy after Roma's Champions League fixture. Niccolò Pisilli sealed the result late on with a precise diagonal finish. The victory completed a demanding three-match cycle for Roma while rotating intelligently, resting Malen, Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante in the closing stages despite absences of Koné, Evan N'Dicka and Wesley earlier in the contest. Gasperini had earlier stated: "There is only one Roma", a sentiment the Turin win reinforced. The squad's rhythm, tactical clarity and mentality reflect those of a big team, with Gasperini preaching patience and taking matters one step at a time while managing the demands of European football. The atmosphere has built with growing enthusiasm among supporters, though the manager remains focused on steady progress rather than grand proclamations. Roma now face their next significant examination: Inter visit the Olimpico on Saturday for what the source describes as the perfect test of the club's title ambitions this season.

Evan N'Dicka and Wesley will be available for Roma's match against Inter at the Olimpico on Saturday, despite recent minor fitness concerns. N'Dicka, who had an intestinal virus and some light fatigue, is expected to reclaim his place in defence, though Leonardo Balerdi's performance in Turin means the decision carries some conditionality. Wesley will operate regularly on the left, while the right-back position will see competition between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Manu Koné will return to the starting lineup after his absence. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains on the bench as part of his gradual reintegration following the international break. Roma approach their most difficult fixture of the season with a fully available squad.

Roma extended their perfect start to the season with a commanding 2–0 victory at Turin, maintaining their position at the top of Serie A with four wins in four matches and twelve points. Donyell Malen opened the scoring in the first half after a mistake by Perri allowed Gianluca Mancini to set up Paulo Dybala, who crossed for the Dutch forward to finish from close range — his sixth goal in four games. Torino pressed after the interval, with Simone forcing an excellent save from Mile Svilar, but Roma controlled the match throughout. Mario Hermoso produced an outstanding defensive performance, highlighted by an impressive recovery against Bragança that drew applause from the crowd. Gian Piero Gasperini introduced fresh legs in the form of Marten de Roon and Manu Koné to shield the midfield, while managing energy after Roma's Champions League fixture. Niccolò Pisilli sealed the result late on with a precise diagonal finish. The victory completed a demanding three-match cycle for Roma while rotating intelligently, resting Malen, Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante in the closing stages despite absences of Koné, Evan N'Dicka and Wesley earlier in the contest. Gasperini had earlier stated: "There is only one Roma", a sentiment the Turin win reinforced. The squad's rhythm, tactical clarity and mentality reflect those of a big team, with Gasperini preaching patience and taking matters one step at a time while managing the demands of European football. The atmosphere has built with growing enthusiasm among supporters, though the manager remains focused on steady progress rather than grand proclamations. Roma now face their next significant examination: Inter visit the Olimpico on Saturday for what the source describes as the perfect test of the club's title ambitions this season.

Roma extended their winning run to four consecutive victories with a 2–0 defeat of Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, maintaining their position alongside Inter at the top of Serie A. The significance lay not merely in the result but in the manner of the performance. Donyell Malen struck late in the first half before Niccolò Pisilli added a second in stoppage time, but the team's control of the match—sustained possession, tactical pressure, and evident technical and physical superiority—revealed a side learning to win without requiring a flawless display. Gasperini's squad demonstrated the maturity to wait, accelerate when required, defend effectively, and rotate personnel while preserving its identity. Torino exposed the depth now available to Roma. Evan N'Dicka was absent through influenza, Wesley unavailable, and Manu Koné initially benched following recent knee problems—three players typically central to the squad's foundation. Yet Roma did not appear diminished. Leonardo Balerdi's replacement performance was the evening's most telling statement: he played with striking personality, aggressive in the tackle, commanding in the air, quick covering open space, and constantly engaged. He is no mere backup. Marten de Roon entered in the second half and immediately fitted Gasperini's system with experience, reading and order. Emanuele Lulli again confirmed his capacity to operate at this level, while Nahuel Molina, deployed on the left flank in Wesley's place, contributed without disrupting the team's balance. This marks the real growth: in previous years Roma required its established starters to maintain standards; now the squad contains alternatives who enter, perform, keep the team in the match, and function as genuine options rather than stopgaps. The champions remain central to Roma's ambition. Paulo Dybala continues to transform ordinary matches through individual quality—a pass, a gesture, an instinct—while Malen supplies what the club lacked for too long: a striker who reads space and converts the team's work into goals. Inter remain the stronger force overall, with greater quality in depth and the natural frontrunners in the Scudetto race. Yet Roma has earned the right to approach a direct confrontation without inferiority complex or damage-limitation mentality. On Saturday at the Olimpico, Inter will visit when both sides sit at full points, offering a magnificent test to measure Gasperini's squad's genuine ambitions. September is too early to declare verdicts, but the fixture will reveal how closely Roma can approach the tournament's reference point. Torino confirmed Roma's solidity, health, hunger and conviction in its methods. Success no longer depends solely on eleven names on the starting sheet; the club finds answers from those starting further back. Four consecutive wins do not award trophies or automatically transform a squad into a title candidate, but they permit looking higher. This Roma, today, has the right to try.

Rome's radio stations offered their verdict on Roma's latest performance, with broadcasters drawing parallels between the club and Serie A's title contenders. Roberto Pruzzo on Radio Radio noted Roma's quality in the opening half hour, praising Donyell Malen as decisive and dangerous, and Paulo Dybala for demonstrating good fitness. Sandro Sabatini also called it a strong display, highlighting Roma's attacking control when ahead and singling out Leonardo Balerdi as an unexpected standout, though he pointed to Inter's defensive vulnerabilities as a contrast. Lorenzo Pes on Teleradiostereo made the boldest assessment, saying Roma have emerged as a genuine title contender alongside Inter and Como. He underlined Roma's recent defensive record—just one goal conceded in four matches—and identified centre-backs Hermoso and Mancini as a significant asset. Pes also praised Balerdi's composure and speed, and expressed surprise at Marten de Roon's quick adaptation, suggesting the midfielder's presence could complicate Gasperini's team selection in the defensive line. Pes stated: "The Roma team has become a certainty, together with Como and Inter." He noted that Inter's next opponent will be Roma after the international break, followed by Como. Pes also observed that Roma's setup differs markedly from the fixture between the clubs last season, marking a shift in how the team approaches its challenges.

Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli scored as Roma won at Torino to extend their perfect start to the season to four consecutive Serie A victories. Malen's goal opened the scoring — his sixth of the campaign — before Pisilli added a second in injury time to secure the points. The display showed the defensive leadership of Leonardo Balerdi and the tactical impact of Gasperini's substitutions, with Nahuel Molina's performance on the wing and Marten de Roon's immediate influence after coming on praised for order and authority. Pisilli, deployed in the starting midfield alongside Bryan Cristante, was the standout performer. The academy product answered summer transfer speculation that had linked him with a possible exit by delivering a complete display built on work rate, game management and consistency. Gasperini demands exactly this standard and Pisilli continued to deliver it without prompting. Roma maintained their compact shape throughout at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, demonstrating the mature, solid and ambitious structure that has underpinned their four consecutive league wins and unbeaten record this season.

Niccolò Pisilli has scored twice in 126 minutes of Serie A action, demonstrating a ruthless finishing touch despite not always getting into shooting positions. The young midfielder's conversion rate is striking: while he doesn't generate a high volume of attempts, he is consistently effective when the chance arrives. Pisilli could feature again against Inter, possibly even if Manu Koné recovers from injury. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is considering deploying him alongside Paulo Dybala behind Donyell Malen to reinforce Roma's midfield compactness from the start. The decision will be made on Saturday morning.