Hermoso fit for Inter; Balerdi pushes for starting role as Roma prepare for Saturday

Gian Piero Gasperini has a full squad to select from as Roma prepare for their upcoming match against Inter, with Mario Hermoso back available after injury. The head coach spent time on personal grooming today, getting a new haircut in the lead-up to what is already shaping up as a heavyweight fixture worth far more than three points. A photo shared by his barber on social media quickly circulated among Roma fans. Gasperini will make his final selection decisions in the coming hours. His barber, Gennaro, posted about the visit: "When the boss comes by, there's not much to say. Even the details make the difference. See you next time."

Gian Piero Gasperini has urged Roma to focus on daily improvement rather than chase trophy talk after a perfect start to the season. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Inter fixture, the coach said: "I hoped for it more than I expected it. Today we are a squad that knows itself better than at the start of last season and we have already assimilated many things." On title ambitions, he was emphatic: "The bar does not rise by setting objectives, but by improving every day. You can only talk of targets after around twenty matches." Gasperini praised Leonardo Balerdi's immediate impact as a professional "ready to contribute straight away" and highlighted the group's balance: "The young players bring freshness, the more experienced are an example every day. It is a squad that feeds itself." Mario Hermoso trained fully with the group on 17 September after undergoing differentiated work the previous day for a mild ankle contusion, and is on course to be available for the match against Inter on Saturday 19 September at 18:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini spoke of upcoming fixtures against Inter, Como and Real Madrid, saying: "We have earned the chance to face these teams. They will be important matches to understand what we are truly capable of." Rodrigo Mora, who arrived from Porto in the summer, has already won over supporters. The Portuguese midfielder scored his first Serie A goal against Lecce and told Sky Sport of his reasons for joining: "Roma is a very prestigious club and the style of play it proposes was one of the main reasons why I chose to come. Playing in the Champions League is an important step for my career." On his relationship with Gasperini, Mora added: "He is a very demanding coach with the whole squad, but that pushes you to grow every day." Reflecting on his first goal in giallorosso colours, he said: "It was a special moment. I like to score, but my aim is above all to help the team with goals, assists and everything needed to win."

Roma occupy 11th place in Serie A's squad age rankings after the opening fixtures, with an average age of 26 years and 75 days. Gian Piero Gasperini's side sits near the middle of the league's age table, reflecting the varied demographic approaches taken by Serie A's managers this season. The spread across Italian football is significant, with Napoli fielding the oldest average starting XI in their match against Bologna at the Maradona, while Monza have selected the youngest. Como are also distinguished by their youthful squad composition. Roma's placement reflects a balanced approach, their average age sitting just above 26 years. The variation across the league's opening matches shows clear strategic differences in how clubs have constructed their squads for the 2026–27 campaign.

Gian Piero Gasperini has a full squad to select from as Roma prepare for their upcoming match against Inter, with Mario Hermoso back available after injury. The head coach spent time on personal grooming today, getting a new haircut in the lead-up to what is already shaping up as a heavyweight fixture worth far more than three points. A photo shared by his barber on social media quickly circulated among Roma fans. Gasperini will make his final selection decisions in the coming hours. His barber, Gennaro, posted about the visit: "When the boss comes by, there's not much to say. Even the details make the difference. See you next time."

Gian Piero Gasperini has urged Roma to focus on daily improvement rather than chase trophy talk after a perfect start to the season. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Inter fixture, the coach said: "I hoped for it more than I expected it. Today we are a squad that knows itself better than at the start of last season and we have already assimilated many things." On title ambitions, he was emphatic: "The bar does not rise by setting objectives, but by improving every day. You can only talk of targets after around twenty matches." Gasperini praised Leonardo Balerdi's immediate impact as a professional "ready to contribute straight away" and highlighted the group's balance: "The young players bring freshness, the more experienced are an example every day. It is a squad that feeds itself." Mario Hermoso trained fully with the group on 17 September after undergoing differentiated work the previous day for a mild ankle contusion, and is on course to be available for the match against Inter on Saturday 19 September at 18:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini spoke of upcoming fixtures against Inter, Como and Real Madrid, saying: "We have earned the chance to face these teams. They will be important matches to understand what we are truly capable of." Rodrigo Mora, who arrived from Porto in the summer, has already won over supporters. The Portuguese midfielder scored his first Serie A goal against Lecce and told Sky Sport of his reasons for joining: "Roma is a very prestigious club and the style of play it proposes was one of the main reasons why I chose to come. Playing in the Champions League is an important step for my career." On his relationship with Gasperini, Mora added: "He is a very demanding coach with the whole squad, but that pushes you to grow every day." Reflecting on his first goal in giallorosso colours, he said: "It was a special moment. I like to score, but my aim is above all to help the team with goals, assists and everything needed to win."

Leonardo Balerdi has become the focal point of Roma's preparation for Saturday's clash with Inter at the Olimpico after an impressive display on Monday against Torino in place of Evan N'Dicka. His convincing performance prompted Gasperini to view the Argentine defender as a potential starter against the Serie A champions, a promotion that has raised competitive intensity across the defence and the wider squad. Gasperini's team selection will be shaped by who delivers the strongest performances in training at Trigoria: those who maintain full commitment and maximum effort will earn starting places. The likely starting formation will closely resemble the strongest XI fielded last season, built around the established core players. The returning absentees from Monday—N'Dicka, Wesley, and Manu Koné—are set to come back into contention. The intriguing tactical question centres on the left-back slot, where teenage defender Emanuele Lulli has emerged as the focus of recent debate. Lulli's physical test results place him ahead of Nahuel Molina, making him the favourite to start, provided Gasperini prioritises the pace and pressing strength needed to contain Inter's left-side playmaker Dimarco. A third option exists: Wesley deployed on the right with Molina on the left, a setup already tested in training. Elsewhere, Mario Hermoso will mark Nicolò Barella, while Niccolò Pisilli is warming up for a potential late-match impact.

Marcus Thuram has emerged as the primary danger to Roma's defence ahead of their clash with Inter, with statistics backing up tactical concern. The French forward has scored three goals and provided two assists across four matches against Roma, a striking average. Last season he settled the first fixture with an early goal, then replicated the pattern at San Siro with a goal and two assists in Inter's 5–2 victory. Gasperini recognises the threat and is preparing a precise defensive adjustment rather than a wholesale overhaul. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso will remain in the back line, but Evan N'Dicka faces the prospect of dropping out to make room for Leonardo Balerdi. The change reflects tactical requirements rather than a demotion: Thuram's attacking runs into space and explosive pace in open play have exposed Roma's defensive shape, particularly when the match stretches and space opens up behind the line. Balerdi possesses the speed to track Thuram and recover quickly, and appears better suited to defending in those scenarios where the opponent can exploit depth. Roma want to avoid repeating last season's outcome. If Saturday's match develops as it did a year ago, Gasperini believes the Argentine defender may be better equipped than N'Dicka to manage Thuram's threat.

Gianluca Mancini will face Inter on Saturday at the Olimpico, but the encounter carries extra weight after the Nerazzurri attempted to lure him away during the summer. With his contract set to expire in 2027, Mancini found himself at a crossroads with several clubs ready to move for him. Inter were among them, prepared to offer him significantly higher wages. Instead, Mancini chose to renew his Roma deal through 2029, forgoing the chance to earn more elsewhere. His agent Giuseppe Riso did not hide his preference for exploring other options. "I would have wanted to take him away with even more important offers," Riso said. But Mancini refused to budge. Riso added: "He rejected everything for Roma," even joking with his client that "he is crazy." When asked directly about Inter's interest, Mancini did not deny it—"a club is known"—but made clear his mind was made up. He explained his thinking with a telling phrase: "I am not crazy, but you cannot command the heart." Mancini stressed that his will was already clear: to continue at Roma under Gasperini and remain part of a group he now considers family. Since arriving at the club in 2019, Mancini has become one of Roma's most recognisable figures and a leader in the dressing room. What started as a professional move has evolved into something far deeper. The calendar has now orchestrated an almost perfect twist: Inter, who could have taken him from Roma, arrive at the Olimpico as joint leaders alongside the Giallorossi. Mancini will be there wearing the shirt he chose even at the cost of greater money, and on Saturday he will attempt to shut the door on their advances one more time.

Gianluca Mancini rejected Inter's advances this summer and signed a contract renewal with Roma despite being offered more lucrative terms elsewhere. The defender's agent Giuseppe Riso, as Corriere dello Sport reported, actively pushed for a move to Milan, where Chivu was prepared to welcome him, but Mancini showed no hesitation about remaining in the capital despite childhood admiration for Inter's side under Materazzi. Mancini chose to extend his deal on reduced financial terms. His fixed salary fell from €2.5 million in the previous season, and he accepted a structure built around performance bonuses and seasonal objectives shared with Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante. The decision reinforces Roma's commitment to players willing to align compensation with team success. The 1996-born defender now aims to increase his goal tally against Inter, where he has already scored four times. Three of those goals came in a Roma shirt, though only one has so far yielded points for his side.

Gian Piero Gasperini has urged Roma to focus on daily improvement rather than chase trophy talk after a perfect start to the season. Speaking to Sky Sport ahead of the Inter fixture, the coach said: "I hoped for it more than I expected it. Today we are a squad that knows itself better than at the start of last season and we have already assimilated many things." On title ambitions, he was emphatic: "The bar does not rise by setting objectives, but by improving every day. You can only talk of targets after around twenty matches." Gasperini praised Leonardo Balerdi's immediate impact as a professional "ready to contribute straight away" and highlighted the group's balance: "The young players bring freshness, the more experienced are an example every day. It is a squad that feeds itself." Mario Hermoso trained fully with the group on 17 September after undergoing differentiated work the previous day for a mild ankle contusion, and is on course to be available for the match against Inter on Saturday 19 September at 18:00 at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini spoke of upcoming fixtures against Inter, Como and Real Madrid, saying: "We have earned the chance to face these teams. They will be important matches to understand what we are truly capable of." Rodrigo Mora, who arrived from Porto in the summer, has already won over supporters. The Portuguese midfielder scored his first Serie A goal against Lecce and told Sky Sport of his reasons for joining: "Roma is a very prestigious club and the style of play it proposes was one of the main reasons why I chose to come. Playing in the Champions League is an important step for my career." On his relationship with Gasperini, Mora added: "He is a very demanding coach with the whole squad, but that pushes you to grow every day." Reflecting on his first goal in giallorosso colours, he said: "It was a special moment. I like to score, but my aim is above all to help the team with goals, assists and everything needed to win."

Leonardo Balerdi has become the focal point of Roma's preparation for Saturday's clash with Inter at the Olimpico after an impressive display on Monday against Torino in place of Evan N'Dicka. His convincing performance prompted Gasperini to view the Argentine defender as a potential starter against the Serie A champions, a promotion that has raised competitive intensity across the defence and the wider squad. Gasperini's team selection will be shaped by who delivers the strongest performances in training at Trigoria: those who maintain full commitment and maximum effort will earn starting places. The likely starting formation will closely resemble the strongest XI fielded last season, built around the established core players. The returning absentees from Monday—N'Dicka, Wesley, and Manu Koné—are set to come back into contention. The intriguing tactical question centres on the left-back slot, where teenage defender Emanuele Lulli has emerged as the focus of recent debate. Lulli's physical test results place him ahead of Nahuel Molina, making him the favourite to start, provided Gasperini prioritises the pace and pressing strength needed to contain Inter's left-side playmaker Dimarco. A third option exists: Wesley deployed on the right with Molina on the left, a setup already tested in training. Elsewhere, Mario Hermoso will mark Nicolò Barella, while Niccolò Pisilli is warming up for a potential late-match impact.

Marcus Thuram has emerged as the primary danger to Roma's defence ahead of their clash with Inter, with statistics backing up tactical concern. The French forward has scored three goals and provided two assists across four matches against Roma, a striking average. Last season he settled the first fixture with an early goal, then replicated the pattern at San Siro with a goal and two assists in Inter's 5–2 victory. Gasperini recognises the threat and is preparing a precise defensive adjustment rather than a wholesale overhaul. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso will remain in the back line, but Evan N'Dicka faces the prospect of dropping out to make room for Leonardo Balerdi. The change reflects tactical requirements rather than a demotion: Thuram's attacking runs into space and explosive pace in open play have exposed Roma's defensive shape, particularly when the match stretches and space opens up behind the line. Balerdi possesses the speed to track Thuram and recover quickly, and appears better suited to defending in those scenarios where the opponent can exploit depth. Roma want to avoid repeating last season's outcome. If Saturday's match develops as it did a year ago, Gasperini believes the Argentine defender may be better equipped than N'Dicka to manage Thuram's threat.