Inter's Calhanoglu and Stones in doubt for Roma clash after injury concerns

John Stones sustained a muscle problem during Inter's match and was substituted shortly after the hour mark in his first start for the club. The former Manchester City defender left the field under his own power, but his condition will be assessed ahead of Saturday evening's big match against Roma. Inter manager Christian Chivu faces uncertainty in defence as Stones recovers from the injury. The midfielder Calhanoglu is also in doubt, having suffered an adductor strain during the same fixture.

Hakan Calhanoglu will miss Inter's Serie A clash against Udinese on 14 September at 20:45 at San Siro due to an adductor strain. The midfielder's condition will be reassessed in the coming days, but he is also in serious doubt for Inter's match against Roma at Stadio Olimpico on 19 September at 18:00. Calhanoglu sustained the injury in the hours before the Udinese fixture under coach Cristian Chivu. His absence represents a significant blow to Inter's midfield for both matches, with his potential unavailability for the Roma game adding uncertainty to one of the campaign's high-profile fixtures.

Gian Piero Gasperini fielded questions from journalists ahead of Roma's fourth-round Serie A fixture against Torino at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The head coach confirmed two key absences from the squad: Wesley suffered a heavy knock in the previous match and had not yet recovered, while Evan N'Dicka contracted flu overnight and did not travel to the stadium. Gasperini expressed strong confidence in Santiago Castro's development. "Castro is performing very well in all situations where he is involved," the coach said. "His condition is good compared to the beginning of the season. We all expect a lot from him, but we are very convinced because he is a player who deserves it and has great qualities." On the availability of attacking options across the squad, Gasperini noted that Roma have fewer attacking players than many other clubs in the league, and that the team recovered Lorenzo Pellegrini only two days before the match. "We hope to always be at full strength," he said, "because in modern football there is a place for everyone at different moments." Asked about Donyell Malen's display in his debut at the same venue, Gasperini reflected: "I had found a great player with important numbers." The comments underscored Roma's injury challenges and their hopes for Castro to develop into a key contributor as the season progresses.