Newport 4–1 Roma: Hermoso impresses in midfield role, Castro and Koulierakis shine

Roma and Inter meet at the Olimpico on the back of identical records: four wins from four matches. Both sides arrive unbeaten and level on points at the summit, setting up a fixture charged with extra intensity in a rare midweek slot before the international break begins. For Gian Piero Gasperini, the clash carries deeper weight. His spell at Inter ended prematurely in 2011, a chapter he has never fully digested, and the club remains a taboo opponent—Roma have not beaten them since 2018, a gap spanning eight years. The Olimpico is poised to amplify that frustration. Cristian Chivu's side are approaching the match with maximum intensity: no rotation, no concessions to rest. The preparation has been methodical—training in the morning, lunch, then a flight to Rome and confinement in the hotel by evening to shield against distraction. Chivu has declined to hold a pre-match press conference, choosing silence to protect focus and ward off the inevitable echoes of the past, particularly the old middle-finger gesture he directed at the Roma ultras after a Coppa Italia victory—a ghost the giallorossi crowd has resurrected to stoke an already incendiary atmosphere. Inter's defensive spine rests on Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni, with Stones sidelined by injury. Dimarco competes for the left-back berth, while Diouf and Luis Henrique battle for the right flank. Calhanoglu is unavailable—and with him absent from midfield, Spence is also out—leaving Zielinski to control tempo, flanked by Barella and the favoured Jones, with Sucic pressing for minutes. In attack, Lautaro Martinez and Thuram carry the burden, while Esposito and Bonny await from the bench. The focal point of Chivu's deepest concerns is Josep Martinez in goal. After lapses against Real Madrid and Udinese, the weight of the shirt has pressed heavily, and Provedel's presence as backup casts a shadow. Yet Chivu has defended him paternally, and his call-up to the Spanish national team has restored pride: absent a surprise, Martinez will again stand guard against the Roma assault. The contest unfolds as the night of reckoning approaches.

Roma and Inter meet at the Olimpico as Serie A's only two unbeaten sides, bringing the league's two most potent attacks to bear. Roma have scored 12 goals under Gasperini in what is his second season at the club, while Inter have netted 13 under Chivu. The gap in the standings reflects that firepower: Roma's offensive surge—from 3 goals to 12—has yielded a +3 advantage in points, while Inter's 13-goal haul translates to a +6 cushion despite scoring only two more than their visitors. Roma's attacking resurgence owes much to Paulo Dybala's recovery and the arrival of Donyell Malen, who has become Gasperini's primary terminal in a three-at-the-back system. Inter, the defending champions, benefit from an embarrassment of riches in attack: nine different players have already scored, with others to follow soon. The two clubs deploy identical defensive shapes but with vastly different philosophies. Roma press man-to-man across the pitch to smother opposition ideas; Inter have intensified their high press and quickened their tempo while retaining the quality of their passing to wear down rivals. Historically, Roma and Inter have been the apex of Serie A's goalscoring tradition. The two clubs have met 186 times in the league, producing 540 goals—235 scored by Roma and 305 by Inter—an average of 2.9 per match. Both sides will look to maintain that standard in a fixture that could define the season's trajectory.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a direct battle for Serie A's top spot, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side seeking to extend their perfect record against Cristian Chivu's team. The fixture pits the league's two most potent attacking units against each other: Roma have scored 12 goals in their first four matches this season, up from 3 in the same period last season, while Inter have netted 13, a gain of two from 2025. Roma operate at a high tempo with an average midfield line of 55.8 metres and average 21.3 shots per game; Inter rely on directness and quick transitions as their main weapon. Historically, Roma-Inter is Serie A's highest-scoring fixture, with 340 goals across 186 matches at an average of 2.9 per game. For Gasperini, victory offers a chance to reach a significant milestone: a tenth consecutive league win. That feat has been achieved only twice in Roma's history—by Rudi Garcia in 2013–14 and Luciano Spalletti in 2005–06. At the Olimpico across all Serie A meetings, Roma hold a slim advantage: 34 wins to Inter's 33 from 93 encounters, with 26 draws. Roma have scored 139 goals at home in these clashes to Inter's 135. Arbitro Davide Massa will oversee the match. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; a back three of Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso; Wesley and Lulli on the flanks with Koné and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Pellegrini supporting Malen as the single striker. The main pre-match uncertainties concern the defence, where Balerdi is favoured over N'Dicka (60%–40%), and the right flank, where Lulli holds an edge over Molina (65%–35%). Among the standout performers, Paulo Dybala has five career goals against Inter, though only one wearing Roma's shirt, while Inter forward Marcus Thuram has scored four against Roma—among his preferred targets in Italy.

Gian Piero Gasperini has settled his starting XI for the clash against Inter after a training session and an overnight stay by the squad at the Fulvio Bernardini centre in Trigoria. The Roma head coach is building the team around tactical certainties and the recovery of key players to full fitness. In defence, Evan N'Dicka has made a full recovery and will return to the starting lineup alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso, who is completely recovered from an ankle knock suffered mid-week. Leonardo Balerdi remains available as a substitute option, with Gasperini having outlined his philosophy on defensive changes: "We need to get used to making substitutions with defenders — a strong centre-back can be a weapon even during the game." On the flanks, Emanuele Lulli will continue at right-back, his form outweighing the candidacy of Nahuel Molina, while Wesley returns to the starting XI at left-back after missing the previous match in Turin. In midfield, Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante form the established pairing despite strong performances from Niccolò Pisilli and Marten De Roon. On the attacking midfield, Matías Soulé holds a clear advantage over Rodrigo Mora to complete the offensive unit alongside Paulo Dybala — set for his sixth consecutive start in less than a month — in support of striker Donyell Malen.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a direct battle for Serie A's top spot, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side seeking to extend their perfect record against Cristian Chivu's team. The fixture pits the league's two most potent attacking units against each other: Roma have scored 12 goals in their first four matches this season, up from 3 in the same period last season, while Inter have netted 13, a gain of two from 2025. Roma operate at a high tempo with an average midfield line of 55.8 metres and average 21.3 shots per game; Inter rely on directness and quick transitions as their main weapon. Historically, Roma-Inter is Serie A's highest-scoring fixture, with 340 goals across 186 matches at an average of 2.9 per game. For Gasperini, victory offers a chance to reach a significant milestone: a tenth consecutive league win. That feat has been achieved only twice in Roma's history—by Rudi Garcia in 2013–14 and Luciano Spalletti in 2005–06. At the Olimpico across all Serie A meetings, Roma hold a slim advantage: 34 wins to Inter's 33 from 93 encounters, with 26 draws. Roma have scored 139 goals at home in these clashes to Inter's 135. Arbitro Davide Massa will oversee the match. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; a back three of Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso; Wesley and Lulli on the flanks with Koné and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Pellegrini supporting Malen as the single striker. The main pre-match uncertainties concern the defence, where Balerdi is favoured over N'Dicka (60%–40%), and the right flank, where Lulli holds an edge over Molina (65%–35%). Among the standout performers, Paulo Dybala has five career goals against Inter, though only one wearing Roma's shirt, while Inter forward Marcus Thuram has scored four against Roma—among his preferred targets in Italy.

Roma host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00 in Serie A's fifth round, a clash between the only two unbeaten sides after four matches. Both teams arrive with 12 points from four wins apiece—Roma's latest a 2–0 victory at Torino, Inter's a 5–3 comeback win over Udinese. Roma lead on goal difference in what marks the first genuine test of the season for two sides in outstanding form. Gian Piero Gasperini reports a fully fit squad for the match. Evan N'Dicka has recovered from a gastrointestinal issue, Wesley from a knock to his ankle, and Mario Hermoso from a contusion sustained during the week. Lorenzo Pellegrini is back in full training after two weeks out and available for selection, though likely as a substitute. Gasperini has deployed a 3–4–2–1 formation in recent games and may continue it here, weighing whether to use Niccolò Pisilli as a secondary forward alongside Paulo Dybala behind Donyell Malen, or to maintain Matías Soulé in that role for greater midfield cover against Inter's attack. At fullback, a contest remains between Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina on the right, with Lulli slightly favored, while Wesley returns on the left. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to form the midfield partnership. In defence, Gianluca Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso are lined up to start, though Leonardo Balerdi continues to press the Ivorian after recent strong displays. Inter, managed by Cristian Chivu, are without key midfield figure Hakan Calhanoglu, sidelined by a right adductor muscle strain and unavailable until after the international break. John Stones is also absent with a hamstring issue, and Denzil Spence is not yet ready. Josep Martinez is expected to retain the goalkeeper role despite some recent lapses. The back three should feature Yann Bisseck, Mohammed Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni. On the right, Luis Henrique is favored over the fatigued Diouf, while Federico Dimarco returns at left-back. Piotr Zielinski takes Calhanoglu's role in midfield alongside Nicolò Barella and Curtis Jones, who is preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mario Sucic. Lautaro Martinez, rested against Udinese, will start alongside Marcus Thuram in attack. Betting markets show an extremely tight contest, with Inter marginally favored: Roma victory is quoted at 2.70–2.76, a draw at 3.35–3.50, and Inter at 2.50–2.60. Over 2.5 goals trades at 1.60, reflecting both teams' attacking prowess, though Roma have shown superior defensive solidity so far. The match is exclusive to DAZN, available through the app on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, consoles and computers, with no broadcast on standard Sky Sport channels. Referee is Davide Massa, assisted by Meli and Berti, fourth official Maresca, VAR Mazzoleni, and assistant VAR Di Paolo.

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."

Leonardo Balerdi has won over Roma supporters in just three appearances and says the club was always meant to be his home. In an interview ahead of Roma's match against Inter, the defender revealed that his agent first approached Roma during the early days of the summer transfer window, but negotiations stalled until the final days of the market, when he made the decision to join. "When they told me about Roma I was happy," Balerdi said. "There were other squads, but at that point I said that if I didn't come here I would have stayed at Marseille. The shirt fascinated me. I was mad about the shirt and the colours. When I had Strootman as a teammate I asked him to get me a Roma shirt, which I still keep at home. It was destiny that sooner or later I had to wear it." Bareldi arrived on loan with an option to buy from Marseille and has made an immediate impact. He played in Roma's comeback victory at Atalanta and is hoping to continue his development under head coach Gasperini. "I find myself well with his instructions; I feel that physically I am improving day by day," Balerdi said. "His way of training is an advantage for me because in matches I feel strong." The 23-year-old Argentine also addressed media comparisons to Franco Baresi, saying the comments had been partly misconstrued but that he looks up to the club's defensive tradition. He prefers playing as a pure centre-back but is adaptable and has fitted quickly into the squad despite arriving with little time to settle. Bareldi was eager to play down the early hype surrounding his arrival. "I'm a bit used to this, coming from Marseille: if you play two matches well you're a god, then two others are enough for you to be like the devil," he explained. "Now I'm just trying to concentrate on the pitch without thinking about listening to what is said outside." He highlighted the quality of his new teammates, particularly Manu Koné, who "physically surprised me, he is an animal," and Donyell Malen, who "made many goals as soon as he arrived and continues to do so." Balerdi acknowledged the importance of Roma's Argentine contingent—Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina—telling him they were content at the club. He also confirmed he has a good relationship with Inter's Benjamin Pavard and Luis Henrique, his former Marseille teammates, though they have not spoken before tomorrow's fixture. Looking ahead, Balerdi stated his intention unequivocally: "Absolutely yes," when asked if he hopes to remain at Roma permanently. He also expressed his honour at being selected for Argentina at a moment when Lionel Messi is preparing for his final match for the national team. "Messi and Maradona are sacred," Balerdi said. "Having the chance to be there for Leo's last match is incredible. I can't wait to live it."

Radio Roma commentators have weighed Roma's prospects ahead of the Champions League fixture against Inter, with widespread acknowledgement that Donyell Malen has become the team's most decisive attacking threat. The debate centred on whether Roma can sustain a title challenge without fresh recruitment, and how Santiago Castro's early impact shapes the club's forward planning. Piero Torri suggested Roma would have wrapped up the season had Greenwood and Moreira been signed, implying regret over unfinished transfer business. David Rossi stated: "We can play football without Malen. If someone came in with a serious bid—say 120 to 130 million—we could sell him this summer at 130 million and win the Scudetto." Fabio Petruzzi countered that Castro's presence provides preparation for Malen's potential departure: "You've already prepared for this eventuality with Castro behind him. He's not the same, but Castro is a serious striker." Petruzzi also raised concern over other managerial positions, mentioning Juric and Amorim as under pressure. Malen's output drew repeated emphasis: Gianluca Piacentini noted his 20 goals in 22 appearances as decisive form. Lorenzo Pes explained Gasperini's tendency to substitute Malen late in matches because "he gives everything on the pitch, participates totally in every action," and confirmed Castro comes off the bench in the final half-hour. Alessio Nardo stressed Roma needs goals beyond Malen: "If Roma wants to raise the level it must combine other goals from the attackers with Malen's." Roberto Pruzzo declared Roma's defence superior to Inter's and highlighted the twin attacking threat as "a guarantee," while Nando Orsi countered that Inter remains "overwhelmingly strong" and questioned whether Roma should be favoured: "They're level on points, both have suffered in two Champions League matches." Checco Oddo Casano observed that fitness coach D'Amico now works pitch-side alongside coach Gasperini, contrasting with last season when Ranieri and Massara watched from a raised terrace—a structural change he interpreted as reflecting the relationship between technical staff and management at the club. The fixture with Inter will provide the first substantive test of Roma's credentials at the top level this season.

Roma's match against Inter at the Olimpico represents a pivotal moment in the season, pitting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's title ambitions against two significant statistical obstacles. The club must overturn Inter's run of five consecutive victories at the Olimpico and address Gasperini's poor personal record in direct meetings with the Nerazzurri. These are not mere historical footnotes: both teams retain their core playing personnel, with Roma's spine formed by Mancini, Cristante and Pellegrini, while Inter's strength lies in their block of Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella and Lautaro Martinez. A positive result would represent a definitive breakthrough for Roma, validating their credentials as genuine Serie A title contenders and marking a clear break with the past. The fixture arrives before the international break, making it a crucial opportunity to build momentum in the squad and the environment before the pause for national team commitments. For Inter's side under Cristian Chivu, the primary mission is to contain the growing enthusiasm building around the Giallorossi. A Roma victory would confirm their status as a candidate for the top of the table and provide the final proof of quality needed to establish themselves as genuine challengers this season.

Gian Piero Gasperini has settled his starting XI for the clash against Inter after a training session and an overnight stay by the squad at the Fulvio Bernardini centre in Trigoria. The Roma head coach is building the team around tactical certainties and the recovery of key players to full fitness. In defence, Evan N'Dicka has made a full recovery and will return to the starting lineup alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso, who is completely recovered from an ankle knock suffered mid-week. Leonardo Balerdi remains available as a substitute option, with Gasperini having outlined his philosophy on defensive changes: "We need to get used to making substitutions with defenders — a strong centre-back can be a weapon even during the game." On the flanks, Emanuele Lulli will continue at right-back, his form outweighing the candidacy of Nahuel Molina, while Wesley returns to the starting XI at left-back after missing the previous match in Turin. In midfield, Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante form the established pairing despite strong performances from Niccolò Pisilli and Marten De Roon. On the attacking midfield, Matías Soulé holds a clear advantage over Rodrigo Mora to complete the offensive unit alongside Paulo Dybala — set for his sixth consecutive start in less than a month — in support of striker Donyell Malen.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a direct battle for Serie A's top spot, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side seeking to extend their perfect record against Cristian Chivu's team. The fixture pits the league's two most potent attacking units against each other: Roma have scored 12 goals in their first four matches this season, up from 3 in the same period last season, while Inter have netted 13, a gain of two from 2025. Roma operate at a high tempo with an average midfield line of 55.8 metres and average 21.3 shots per game; Inter rely on directness and quick transitions as their main weapon. Historically, Roma-Inter is Serie A's highest-scoring fixture, with 340 goals across 186 matches at an average of 2.9 per game. For Gasperini, victory offers a chance to reach a significant milestone: a tenth consecutive league win. That feat has been achieved only twice in Roma's history—by Rudi Garcia in 2013–14 and Luciano Spalletti in 2005–06. At the Olimpico across all Serie A meetings, Roma hold a slim advantage: 34 wins to Inter's 33 from 93 encounters, with 26 draws. Roma have scored 139 goals at home in these clashes to Inter's 135. Arbitro Davide Massa will oversee the match. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; a back three of Mancini, Balerdi and Hermoso; Wesley and Lulli on the flanks with Koné and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Pellegrini supporting Malen as the single striker. The main pre-match uncertainties concern the defence, where Balerdi is favoured over N'Dicka (60%–40%), and the right flank, where Lulli holds an edge over Molina (65%–35%). Among the standout performers, Paulo Dybala has five career goals against Inter, though only one wearing Roma's shirt, while Inter forward Marcus Thuram has scored four against Roma—among his preferred targets in Italy.