Pruzzo urges Roma to keep Svilar, suggests Koné as lesser loss

Roma's draw against Inter has sparked debate across Rome's radio stations, with commentators divided between disappointment at a missed opportunity and optimism about the team's ability to compete with Serie A's strongest side. The match saw Roma dominate the first half, going 2–0 ahead, before Inter levelled in the second period. Luigi Ferrajolo praised Matías Soulé's performance, highlighting his willingness to sacrifice for the team. Antonio Felici defended Giampiero Gasperini's attacking approach, describing it as "a calculated risk" designed to create numerous goalscoring chances, and praised the team's first-half display: "I felt like I was watching Liverpool under Klopp, with that hunger to eat up the pitch and the match." Felici also noted Roma's improvement in depth compared to last season, though acknowledged they remain a tier below Inter without additional signings. Francesco Balzani struck a more positive note overall despite expressing some disappointment, arguing Roma showed the response he wanted and that last season's squad has been strengthened by additional quality options on the bench. He added: "You need to work on the market, because if you have those two or three more good players on the bench, you can reach Inter's level." Roberto Pruzzo expressed frustration at conceding in such manner after a commanding first half, stating: "A pity because once you're ahead 2–0 you cannot let them come back like this." Lorenzo Pes identified early second-half goals as the key weakness to address, noting Roma's intensity in the opening period was "unequalled in Italy." Piero Torri mentioned the team may be tracking left-back Kvernadze, describing him as an interesting player in a position where Roma lack depth. Nando Orsi warned that repeated early second-half collapses this season require Gasperini's attention. Mario Mattioli offered the most bullish assessment: "The draw against Inter should be seen both as a missed opportunity but also as proof that you can consider yourself on a par with Italy's strongest team, because Roma played an almost perfect match in the first half. Gasperini has a squad in his hands that can fight for top positions until the end."

Radio commentators Piero Torri and Rossomando have offered contrasting takes on Roma's recent performance and transfer priorities. Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà, expressed regret over the draw against Inter despite Roma's strong display against the Serie A leaders. He believes Roma are pursuing Kvernadze of Frosinone and welcomed the fact that several players have remained at Trigoria, hoping they will be fit for the upcoming match against Como. Rossomando, also on Radio Manà Manà, disagreed with Torri's assessment of the transfer targets. "Between Kvernadze and Soulé I would keep the Argentine," Rossomando said, backing the current squad member over the external option. He was critical of Bryan Cristante's first-half performance, describing it as poor, and questioned the substitution of Manu Koné, saying he would never have removed him from the pitch.

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has backed Gian Piero Gasperini's side as genuine Serie A title contenders, naming them as Inter's only realistic threat in the championship race. Speaking on Rai Radio 1's Radio anch'io sport, Candela analysed the direct clash between Roma and Inter, singling out the performances of Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné for particular praise while assessing the wider squad strength at the Stadio Olimpico. Candela said: "Roma and Inter have given us great football, great beauty. They are the two squads playing for the Scudetto. Inter has a broad squad, but with Gasperini they will fight it out to the end. This Roma is a title-winning team; it can give Inter — who are the strongest — problems. Dybala reminds me of the top players from my era. Koné has personality and charisma. I think Roma is the only squad that can battle with Inter. It has a very strong and cohesive group." Candela also turned his attention to the Italian national team, offering a longer-term view of the rebuilding process. He stated: "Italy is a football heritage. I hope it rebuilds its roots, which were lost for a while. Italy has football in its blood. Mancini has the experience. Now it will take some time because we are starting again from the young players."

Roma have emerged from their direct clash with Inter with 13 points from their opening five Serie A matches—the club's best start in five seasons—and sit joint top of the table, a position they last shared with Lazio 54 years ago. The defence has been exceptional, conceding only four goals, level with Cagliari's total, while goalkeeper Mile Svilar leads the league in save percentage at 81%. Gasperini emphasised the importance of the draw against Inter, saying: "The draw with Inter is a signal to the league. We go forward on our own path, confident we can do well." With the international break providing a crucial window before a demanding fixture list, Gasperini will have three key starting players available at the club's Trigoria training centre. Wesley will remain in Rome due to minor injuries sustained in the recent match and to avoid long transatlantic travel, while Donyell Malen will not participate in his country's Nations League fixtures. Bryan Cristante has been ruled out of Italy's call-up after developing a lower back problem. Gasperini acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating: "The calendar will be tremendous after the break. I will have to be brave and throw everyone in—we will have to play with twenty men." These three absences from international duty represent valuable recovery time for the players ahead of the league's resumption. The positive momentum from Roma's strong opening and the return of fit bodies at Trigoria will be central to maintaining their title challenge in the weeks to come.

Roma came close to pulling off an upset against Inter, going ahead 2-0 before Lautaro Martínez's double brought the sides level. There was satisfaction in the squad for a strong performance, particularly in an exceptional first half, but also deep frustration at dropping two points from a winning position. Matías Soulé expressed the mood on social media: "Great team performance, we gave everything until the end but the result slips away from us. We continue to work and improve. Forza Roma." Mile Svilar, who made at least two important and decisive saves, wrote: "We always move forward." Donyell Malen added: "Grateful to God and all of you. Always," thanking the Roma fans once again.

Roma have earned 7.5 points in their opening five matches of the 2026-27 season, establishing themselves as serious contenders. Victories over Fiorentina and Atalanta—sides representing the upper-middle tier of Serie A—plus wins against Lecce and Torino, combined with a competitive draw against Inter, paint an encouraging picture despite some regrets about how the Inter result unfolded. Mile Svilar continues as Serie A's strongest goalkeeper, providing constant assurance without being called upon for spectacular saves. Gianluca Mancini has suffered minor technical injuries against Atalanta and Inter but remains too valuable for his leadership and interpretation of the coach's attacking defensive phase, particularly evident in his display during the Torino victory. Evan N'Dicka maintains a regular standard, though he now faces genuine competition for his place. Mario Hermoso has emerged as perhaps Gasperini's most indispensable centre-back, despite occasional lapses; defenders in this system are calculated risk-takers. Leonardo Balerdi has made an instant impression with a handful of interventions, earning fans' affection with his spirit of a great South American defender and securing his status as a regular starter. Konstantinos Koulierakis is gradually introducing himself to the pitch, while Daniele Ghilardi continues his development curve. Emanuele Lulli offers freshness on the flanks, a year after failing to be a regular starter in the Primavera. Wesley, returning from injury and a difficult pre-season, has struggled to regain match sharpness after missing nearly a year; he will return to his previous standards. Bryan Cristante stands as a monument to consistency, never missing a match despite the rotation around him. Manu Koné produced a display in the first half against Inter worthy of his quality, reaching peaks never achieved before, though he lacks Cristante's reliability. Niccolò Pisilli missed much of pre-season and it shows, yet his timing in transitions remains sharp, with two goals from part-time playing. Marten de Roon has seen limited action—unsurprising given Gasperini's habit of recalling him at the last moment when tactical changes demand it. Paulo Dybala lacks goals and the signature shots that made him special, though his assists and unrecognizable fitness levels mean Gasperini receives no questions about his rest requirements. Matías Soulé, who appeared destined for departure and began on the bench, decided the clash with Atalanta and now competes as a more regular starter. Rodrigo Mora started explosively with quality, as the coach highlighted, and will reward patience. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in six matches, giving Roma a one-goal advantage on average; alongside Lautaro, he represents the tournament's finest striker. Santiago Castro, small like Malen, brings unrelenting intensity when introduced and lives for goals—once he finds that breakthrough, added serenity will carry him far.

Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante will remain at Trigoria during the international break after withdrawing from their national team commitments due to minor injuries, with no serious alarm felt over their condition. Malen has been ruled out of the Netherlands squad with a physical problem that emerged in recent days, Wesley has suffered a right thigh muscle strain that forced him to withdraw from Brazil's call-up, and Cristante is unavailable for Italy's fixtures. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini aims to have all three available again when the league resumes. Roma have released twelve players to their respective national teams following the 2–2 draw against Inter. The departing squad members, including youth representatives, are Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Evan N'Dicka, Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Manu Koné, Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora and Giorgio De Marzi. A fixture to watch closely is France versus Italy in the Nations League on 2 October, which will pit Koné against squad-mates Mancini and Ghilardi. Off the pitch, Jason Morrow has departed his position as Chief Financial Officer of AS Roma to return to the United States within the Friedkin Group, as previously agreed with the ownership. The club has decided not to appoint an immediate replacement, with a successor arriving later. John Galantic will consolidate his role as a point of reference for both the administrative and technical spheres, maintaining the strong working relationship he has built with Gasperini and D'Amico.

Roma's start to the 2026-27 season has revealed a strong squad across multiple facets of play, according to analysis published today. Few regrets and considerable self-awareness characterize the early weeks, with the club showing it has already reached a level of maturity and quality. The task now is to sustain and deepen that performance—to complete what has been begun. Donyell Malen suffered only minor knee discomfort in recent action; Netherlands coach Xavi reported his assessment that the player is fit. Roma have 12 players currently on international duty, including Manu Koné, Evan N'Dicka, and Emanuele Lulli among others engaged in national team matches. Commentator Luca Adani praised Roma's opening period of their recent fixture, calling it "clamorific" and highlighting a strong defensive display, though he noted a lapse from Gianluca Mancini on a goal conceded. Radio Pensieri's Felici drew a striking comparison, saying the Roma team in the first half "looked like Klopp's Liverpool."

Twelve Roma players have been called up by their national teams as the international break begins, with fixtures running through the first days of October. Gianluca Mancini and Daniele Ghilardi depart for Italy, with Ghilardi earning his first senior call-up. The Italians face Nations League matches against Belgium, Turkey and France, plus Turkey again on 5 October. Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli join Italy's Under-21 squad for Euro qualifying matches against Armenia and Poland. Manu Koné travels with France for Nations League ties against Turkey, Belgium and Italy, while Konstantinos Koulierakis represents Greece against Serbia, Germany and the Netherlands. A substantial group departs for Argentina: Leonardo Balerdi, Santiago Castro and Matías Soulé will feature in friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. Evan N'Dicka joins Ivory Coast for matches against Ghana, Somalia and Cameroon. Rodrigo Mora has been selected by Portugal's Under-21 side for fixtures against Bulgaria, Gibraltar and the Czech Republic, and Giorgio De Marzi will join the United States Under-19 team for friendlies against Brazil and Denmark. Donyell Malen will remain at Trigoria to recover from a left knee issue, having been initially selected by the Netherlands. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will use the break to work with the squad members staying in Rome and aid the rehabilitation of any remaining injured players ahead of an intense schedule spanning Serie A and Champions League competition.