Mancini watches Roma take on Inter at the Olimpico

Manu Koné scored twice in the first half as Roma beat Inter in a Serie A matchday 5 fixture. The French midfielder opened the scoring at 1–0 before adding a second goal to put Roma 2–0 ahead, achieving a milestone that had eluded Roma players for 13 years: at least two goals in the opening 45 minutes against Inter. Koné's brace places him among an elite group in Roma's history. He becomes the fifth Roma player to score two or more goals in the first half against Inter, joining Francesco Totti (2013), Abel Balbo (1995), Francesco Graziani (1986) and Roberto Pruzzo (1980).

Roma take on Inter in their fifth Serie A match of the season at the Olimpico, with defender Gianluca Mancini in the spotlight after rejecting approaches from the Nerazzurri during the summer transfer window. Mancini committed his future to Roma by signing a new contract through 2029, turning down Inter's interest to extend his stay at the club. The Curva Sud supporters' section marked the occasion with a banner reading: "In a game where only money counts, there is someone who listened to his heart… honour to Gianluca Mancini." The display underscores the depth of feeling among Roma's ultras towards a player who chose loyalty over a potential move to one of Serie A's biggest clubs.

Manu Koné's first-half brace gave Roma a 2–0 lead over Inter under Gasperini, with the second goal sparking initial uncertainty before confirmation. The midfielder's second strike appeared offside when Gianluca Mancini deflected Paulo Dybala's cross, triggering immediate concern on the pitch and in the stands. VAR intervention, however, revealed that Koné was behind the ball at the moment of Mancini's touch, making the goal valid. The decision prompted wild celebration among Roma players and supporters. In the stands, Davide Orsato, the former referee now serving as match designator, decoded the action instantly—spotting the goal's legitimacy before the on-field referee Massa made the official announcement. Koné's unexpected double, and its validation, energised the giallorossi heading into the second half.

Roma take on Inter in their fifth Serie A match of the season at the Olimpico, with defender Gianluca Mancini in the spotlight after rejecting approaches from the Nerazzurri during the summer transfer window. Mancini committed his future to Roma by signing a new contract through 2029, turning down Inter's interest to extend his stay at the club. The Curva Sud supporters' section marked the occasion with a banner reading: "In a game where only money counts, there is someone who listened to his heart… honour to Gianluca Mancini." The display underscores the depth of feeling among Roma's ultras towards a player who chose loyalty over a potential move to one of Serie A's biggest clubs.

Manu Koné's first-half brace gave Roma a 2–0 lead over Inter under Gasperini, with the second goal sparking initial uncertainty before confirmation. The midfielder's second strike appeared offside when Gianluca Mancini deflected Paulo Dybala's cross, triggering immediate concern on the pitch and in the stands. VAR intervention, however, revealed that Koné was behind the ball at the moment of Mancini's touch, making the goal valid. The decision prompted wild celebration among Roma players and supporters. In the stands, Davide Orsato, the former referee now serving as match designator, decoded the action instantly—spotting the goal's legitimacy before the on-field referee Massa made the official announcement. Koné's unexpected double, and its validation, energised the giallorossi heading into the second half.

Alessandro Romano, a Roma academy graduate who departed for Cagliari a few weeks ago, has impressed his new club sufficiently to earn a call-up to the Italy national team at the behest of coach Mancini. Cagliari manager Pisacane highlighted Romano's development after his side's victory over Udinese, drawing a comparison to a former Roma midfielder. Pisacane told Sky: "Romano? I don't think he even knows how strong he is himself. He's a complete player—if I have to give an example, he's a player like Strootman but with more physical impact. Perhaps Strootman had a more educated left foot, but he's a player who understands the game, has sacrifice, has dedication, knows how to play football. He's a complete player. He needs to play a lot, even if he makes mistakes: he surprised me—compared to Palestra, who made two or three mistakes at Udinese, he seems a player much more mature than his age would suggest."

Gian Piero Gasperini made only one change in midfield for Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, selecting Matías Soulé ahead of Niccolò Pisilli in the attacking midfield role. The head coach favoured continuity against Cristian Chivu's side in matchday five, keeping the core of the team that had started the season well. The defensive line remained settled: Mile Svilar in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley operated on the flanks, while Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante held the midfield. Donyell Malen, who had been prominent in Roma's opening fixtures, led the attack, supported by Paulo Dybala and Soulé. Leonardo Balerdi dropped to the bench. Roma's starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash, both sides arriving unbeaten after four matches and seeking to reach the first international break in first place. Gasperini has a full squad available with no absences. In defence, the established trio of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso is confirmed, with no surprise inclusion for Balerdi. Molina and Wesley operate on the flanks, Koné and Cristante patrol midfield, and Soulé lines up in the attacking three behind Malen, with Dybala in support. Roma field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back, Molina and Wesley as wing-backs, Cristante and Koné in central midfield, Soulé and Dybala in the attacking midfield positions, and Malen as the lead forward. On the bench are Gollini, De Marzi, Ghilardi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Lulli, Pisilli, Pellegrini, de Roon, Castro and Mora. Inter deploy a 3-5-2 with Martinez, Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni in defence, Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones and Dimarco in midfield, and Lautaro Martinez and Thuram in attack.

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.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash, both sides arriving unbeaten after four matches and seeking to reach the first international break in first place. Gasperini has a full squad available with no absences. In defence, the established trio of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso is confirmed, with no surprise inclusion for Balerdi. Molina and Wesley operate on the flanks, Koné and Cristante patrol midfield, and Soulé lines up in the attacking three behind Malen, with Dybala in support. Roma field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back, Molina and Wesley as wing-backs, Cristante and Koné in central midfield, Soulé and Dybala in the attacking midfield positions, and Malen as the lead forward. On the bench are Gollini, De Marzi, Ghilardi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Lulli, Pisilli, Pellegrini, de Roon, Castro and Mora. Inter deploy a 3-5-2 with Martinez, Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni in defence, Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones and Dimarco in midfield, and Lautaro Martinez and Thuram in attack.

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.