Massimo Moratti has spoken ahead of Inter's visit to Roma on 19 September, reflecting on the clubs' enduring rivalry and his personal history with the Giallorossi. The former Inter president told La Repubblica that he expects a competitive fixture between two sides whose strength has historically risen and fallen in tandem. "It is destiny that Roma are competitive when we are too," Moratti said, comparing the fixture to Inter–Juventus and Inter–Milan classics. While acknowledging the unpredictability of individual matches, he predicted Inter's superiority over a full season and praised Roma's manager Chivu as capable and good at holding the squad together.
Moratti reflected warmly on his recruitment from Roma, recalling Chivu's bravery following a near-fatal head injury. "I went to see him in hospital. He said he would come back soon, without complaining. A brave man," Moratti said. He also addressed his fractured relationship with Gasperini, saying they have since met, shaken hands and embraced, though he acknowledged Gasperini may retain justified grievances from their parting. Most poignantly, Moratti revealed his long-standing desire to sign Francesco Totti, Roma's all-time great. "I tried. I told Sensi I would not make a fuss over the price. He replied that it was not to be discussed. He behaved like a Romanista, not a merchant," Moratti explained. Instead, he signed Gabriel Batistuta from Roma, who scored just one goal for Inter—a signing Moratti would repeat nonetheless.
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