Moratti on Totti, Gasperini and the Roma rivalry

Massimo Moratti has spoken ahead of Inter's visit to Roma on 19 September at 18:00, telling La Repubblica that he expects a competitive fixture between two clubs whose strength often rises and falls in tandem. 'It is destiny that Roma are competitive when we are too. By now it is a classic, like Inter-Juventus and Inter-Milan,' Moratti said. 'In a single match it is hard to say who will have the better of it. Over the course of the season, though, I say Inter.' He praised Roma's current manager, noting: 'Chivu is capable, has good sense, knows how to hold the squad together.' Moratti reflected on his personal connection to Roma through players he signed from the club. He recalled Chivu's courage after a near-fatal head injury: 'I went to see him in hospital. He said he would come back soon, without complaining. A brave man.' On his fractured relationship with Gasperini, Moratti said: 'We have met, shaken hands, embraced. I have no grudge. He perhaps does, and it would be justified. It was an unlucky moment: we were not winning a match.' Moratti also spoke of his long-standing desire to sign Francesco Totti, Roma's all-time great. 'Totti. 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 went on to describe his actual Roma signing: 'I took Batistuta from Roma. He scored only one goal but I would do it again.' On the upcoming match, Moratti expects an open contest: 'A fine one. We are at the start, the teams do not have too much fear of losing points. And it can be valuable as training for the Champions League, where you cannot afford to be foolish.'

Radja Nainggolan, the former Roma and Inter midfielder, reflected on his time in giallorosso colours during an interview with Radio Bruno Roma, touching on Sunday's Roma–Inter fixture and the club's summer recruitment. The big match remains Inter's to lose, he suggested: "I think Inter stay favourites to win the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri have built a strong squad, reached the Champions League final and have important reserves. The Scudetto Naples won last year, in my view, Inter lost. It will be a difficult match: Dybala can make the difference, he is a fantastic player." On Roma's transfer business, Nainggolan praised the early impact of defender Balerdi's personality and forward Santiago Castro's entry against Atalanta, though he noted Castro's latest display was less sharp. He believes Roma's new signings suit the team's current form. Back at the Olimpico for a match, he found the sold-out atmosphere striking: "When I was here it was different. If I have to thank Mourinho for one thing, it is that he brought people back to the stadium. The atmosphere is full, you see everyone singing: Roma is something else. It made an impression on me, it was a lovely experience." Asked whether Roma should attack or show more respect to Inter, Nainggolan insisted respect does not mean abandoning the offensive approach. "Roma has an identity, it has improved from last year. There is Mancini throwing himself forward too: these are things you notice. A team that wants to win must have its identity." On the goalkeeping contest, he rated Svilar's form: "Svilar played really well last year and he is confirming it. Martínez, on the other hand, is in his first year as starter: you feel the pressure. In the second goal against Udinese you see his error, but a goalkeeper has to make mistakes to learn." Pressed on defence, he would choose stability over the physical presence of N'Dicka or Balerdi for such a clash: "For a match like this, putting Balerdi in can be risky. I don't know what Gasperini will choose, but I would play with the more stable ones." On his departure from Roma itself, Nainggolan was candid. He said: "The first chance to play in Serie A was Roma: I would never have left, I did everything for Roma. The people respected me. But my personality is what it is: I hate falseness and false people, and when something goes against my values, I go. If you had asked me back then if I was happy to go to Inter or sad to leave Roma, I would have said I was sadder to leave Roma. I turned down offers from Chelsea and China to stay." He added that in today's Roma, with Malen's depth runs and the team's attacking philosophy, he would have thrived: "In this Roma I would have been well, I would have enjoyed myself. But unfortunately the era is different."

Rome's radio stations offered their analysis ahead of Roma's fixture against Inter on 19 September. The match has drawn keen attention from local media figures debating its tactical significance and implications for the title race. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà (90.9) framed the occasion in stark terms for Roma's ambitions. "I'm waiting for a major response from a match that, from the perspective of ambition and objectives, can certainly deliver something," Torri said. "This is one of the most important matches Roma play under Friedkin ownership, like against Napoli last year. It's a big challenge and Roma has all the right credentials to look Inter in the eye without ever backing down. Roma's attacking trio can absolutely cause problems for Inter's defensive trio. Today in his press conference Gasperini won't give away too many clues." Nando Orsi of Radio Radio Mattino (104.5) acknowledged Inter as favourites but backed both sides to produce a high-quality contest. "They are two squads that play well and have characterful football," Orsi said. "I expect a big match that will show that these two teams, including Como, will be the main players in the title race." Simone Valdarchi of Radio Manà Manà noted tactical preparations from Gasperini, reporting that Wesley had been trialled on the right with Molina on the left, and that Lulli had also featured in testing. Valdarchi suggested Lorenzo Pellegrini might feature in an unexpected capacity if fresh, predicting a "surprise" starting role for the midfielder against Como.