Pisilli on Champions League dreams and settling into Roma

Roma have roughly 24 hours until their big match against Inter. Gasperini will resolve his final team selection doubts today, with the full squad available to him. Wesley's positioning remains uncertain—he could return to the right flank, with Nahuel Molina moving to the left to contain Dimarco. The squad will train this afternoon before retreating to Trigoria for the night, staying at the centre to maintain group cohesion and full concentration ahead of tomorrow's fixture. Gasperini is determined to prevent any lapse in focus for a match that already carries title-race significance.

Roma will train at their Trigoria base on 18 September ahead of tomorrow's match against Inter, with head coach Gasperini insisting the squad remain there overnight. The session comes after Gasperini's press conference, scheduled for 13:30. The overnight stay reflects the concentration and intensity Gasperini has demanded in what could prove a decisive fixture in the league standings. A brief session will follow in the morning, during which Gasperini will clarify his team selection and tactical approach for the contest. The fixture carries significant weight for Roma's early-season positioning in the table.

Street artist Drugi has unveiled a mural depicting Paulo Dybala as a superhero, complete with a cape in Roma's giallorossi colours. The work celebrates the special relationship between Dybala and Roma's fanbase, particularly younger supporters who have embraced the Argentine as one of their idols. Drugi accompanied the piece with the caption: "Every child has their superhero." Dybala is enjoying an impressive start to the 2026-27 season on the pitch. He has already provided five assists, four of them to teammate Donyell Malen, forming a partnership that has become one of the key weapons in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma side and captivating the club's supporters. The combination of Dybala's creative play and Malen's finishing has given fans reason for optimism as the campaign unfolds. With the new mural now immortalizing him in comic-book form, Dybala has gained a fictional alter ego to match his status among young Roma supporters—though for many giallorossi children, the forward's performances on the field may already be enough to qualify him as a superhero in their eyes.

Gian Piero Gasperini has almost his full squad available for Roma's clash with Inter, with Mario Hermoso back in training after an ankle contusion that forced him to miss Wednesday's session. The Spanish defender is now set to reclaim his place in the back line, though the team's defensive shape remains fluid with three significant selection dilemmas still unresolved. The primary doubt centres on the centre of defence, where Evan N'Dicka holds a slight edge over Leonardo Balerdi following the Argentine's strong performance in Turin. Balerdi's pace in covering and recovery could prove valuable against Inter's attackers in what Roma expect to be an open contest. With Gianluca Mancini likely on the right side of a back three, Hermoso completing the unit, and Mile Svilar in goal, the most probable defensive line is Mancini–N'Dicka–Hermoso, though Balerdi remains a serious challenger to the Ivorian until the final decision. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli currently leads Nahuel Molina, with the choice complicated by the need to contain Dimarco, one of Inter's primary creative forces. Wesley should retain the left-back role. Midfield offers fewer surprises: Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné remain the leading candidates to start. The real tactical intrigue lies in the attacking third. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are untouchable; the third attacking role remains open. Matías Soulé is pressing for inclusion, Rodrigo Mora remains an alternative, but Niccolò Pisilli warrants particular attention. Deploying the midfielder in a more advanced position would allow Roma to shift defensively, recreating a three-man midfield line and matching Inter's numerical strength in that area—a solution with significant tactical weight against a team that has troubled Gasperini for years through rotations between fullbacks, wing-backs and centre-backs. Gasperini has termed the match a "bank of prova" (test). Three genuine doubts persist: N'Dicka versus Balerdi, Lulli versus Molina, and Soulé versus Pisilli versus Mora. Roma have not beaten Inter at the Olimpico in ten years, and the tactical detail could prove decisive.

Mario Hermoso trained with the squad on 17 September after missing a session on 16 September with an ankle contusion, and will be available for the upcoming fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must decide between Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Balerdi for the centre of defence, with N'Dicka appearing favoured, though Balerdi's defensive recovery pace offers an alternative consideration. Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are also competing for the right-back position, tasked with containing opposition wide attacks. Gasperini may deploy Matías Soulé in attack or alternatively use Niccolò Pisilli as a number 10, a choice that would allow him to field three midfielders and maintain numerical balance in defensive phases.

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on 19 September 2026 in a fixture head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views as a significant test of the team's credentials. Gasperini told Sky Sport that the club has eliminated major defensive weaknesses but acknowledged room for improvement remains. "I will say after twenty matches whether we can challenge for the title, but to raise standards we must improve day by day rather than set specific objectives," he said. "The main faults have been removed, but there is always something to refine. This environment has a positive influence—there is great passion and great love. It is right that supporters dream, but we must look at the reality of things. This group feeds itself. It is composed of young players and also less young players of great value, and they all pull each other along." Roma have not beaten Inter at home for ten years, their last victory coming in 2011 with goals from Dzeko and Manolas. Gasperini's record against Inter in 36 previous meetings stands at nine draws and five wins, with 27 goals scored and 68 conceded. Victory would therefore break a significant curse for both club and coach. Hermoso returned to full training on 17 September without issues and is available for selection, while the right flank will see Lulli favoured over Molina. The forward line presents a choice between Soulé, Mora and Pisilli, though Malen and Dybala are guaranteed their places. Francesco Balzani's analysis on Leggo notes Roma's evident growth this season, with the squad bolstered by both youth and experienced talent working in tandem.