Pruzzo warns Roma against forced sales of top players like Svilar

Radio commentators analysed Roma's recent performance and prospects ahead of their Serie A clash with Inter. Carina told Radio Radio: "It seems to me that Roma have something more even compared to their rivals, even Inter, who seem to have some problems related to injuries, especially in defence. Roma instead seem well set, together with Como. Inter's strikers are not matched by anyone in Italy: Lautaro didn't play yesterday and nobody noticed, but they have problems that Roma and Como don't have." Furio Zara described the Inter match as "the first real maturity test" for Roma, while Stefano Agresti called it "a title clash; but obviously it doesn't decide who will win the championship. Both are the most favoured teams to win Serie A." Roberto Pruzzo praised Roma's display, saying: "I liked Roma: in the first half hour they found solutions, they exploited their opponents' errors. Malen is too decisive and too dangerous, Dybala showed he's in good condition. It seemed like good Roma for the needs of the match." Orsi noted that yesterday's match was one Roma deserved to win, adding that the direct clash against Inter "can give the championship answers about the work done so far." Sabatini highlighted defensive strengths and a surprise performer: "It was a great match, because as long as Roma went ahead they were always attacking: Torino was, as they say, put to bed. A match of good management, with individuals like Malen and with some surprise like Balerdi: I didn't think he was so strong." He identified Inter's weakness: "The problem with Inter is in defence, from the errors of Madrid. The keeper can react, but if the three defenders have anxiety then they put the department in difficulty. Between Inter and Roma there's the difference of defence." Pes on Teleradiosstereo noted Roma's defensive solidity: "Roma have conceded only one goal in four matches," and praised Balerdi's impact: "Balerdi has a way of playing that impresses: confidence, speed." He also noted surprise at De Roon's quick adaptation and said Roma "present themselves differently compared to last year's clash."

Walter Sabatini, the former sporting director who built Roma into title contenders, has returned to football as a consultant at Pro Patria, the Serie D club where he ended his playing career 43 years ago. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Sabatini reflected on his life in the game and offered observations on current Italian football, including pointed comments about his former club and its rivals. Sabatini left Roma's hierarchy years ago and has now chosen to restart in a modest setting, describing it as "a sort of catharsis" and "entering the starting box once more". He acknowledged struggling in an environment that does not accommodate his ideas: "I need agility and speed. I don't hide that I'm finding myself uncomfortable and I don't want to waste my final years. I'm entering perhaps the third or fourth age of my life." Yet he retains the fighting spirit of his early career, when he began working for Triestina at 39. He still relies on instinct over data analysis: "When I see a player I must feel something immediately at first meeting. He must strike me like lightning. The only yardstick of evaluation I conceive is the eye, sensitivity, passion." On Roma specifically, Sabatini was emphatic: "Roma. It's my life, don't make me say anything else because I've developed a complex about being a boring man." He praised Paulo Dybala as "a residual champion of our championship", the only player of the calibre that graced Serie A in the 1990s—when Ronaldo, Platini and Rummenigge competed in Italy. Of Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma's current head coach, Sabatini said: "I have great admiration for his work as a technician but I would have entered into a collision course." He also expressed regret over his spell at Inter, calling himself "a meteor" that earthlings barely noticed pass. On the current league standings, Sabatini noted "great euphoria" within Roma's environment and "spiritual cohesion that makes everyone feel unbeatable", but judged Inter superior: "For the quality of the squad and depth of choices, Inter are a step above everyone." Sabatini watches every match in Serie A and finds inspiration in each one. He remains characteristically combative about his career and health, describing himself as "bulimic for life" and comparing his condition to Kafka's protagonist: "Guilty but no one knows of what crime."

Walter Sabatini, the former Roma executive now working as a consultant for Pro Patria, has reflected on his career at the club in an interview with Corriere della Sera. On his time in the game, Sabatini said: "At Roma. It's my life, don't make me say anything else because I've developed a complex about being a boring man." Sabatini also addressed the current state of Italian football and Roma's standing. Discussing which club has the strongest squad values at present, he observed: "There is great euphoria in the Roma environment. A spiritual cohesion that makes everyone feel unbeatable. But in terms of squad quality and depth of choices, Inter are a step above everyone else." Sabatini commented on the prospect of working alongside Gasperini, the current Roma head coach, though he did not elaborate on the specifics of that assessment beyond the headline suggestion that collaboration between them would have led to friction.

Roma's defensive department has emerged as one of the strongest in Europe through the opening weeks of the 2026-27 campaign. After finishing last season as Serie A's second-best defence behind Como, the backline under Gian Piero Gasperini has been further reinforced with the arrivals of Leonardo Balerdi and Konstantinos Koulierakis, joining established defenders Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso and Daniele Ghilardi. In this season's opening fixtures, Roma have conceded just one goal—scored by Ederson in the match against Atalanta. Comparing the opening rounds across Europe's five major leagues, Roma's defensive record is matched only by Arsenal, the runners-up in the European championship, who have also conceded a single goal in their first four matches. Freiburg in the Bundesliga has the same record but across three games played, while Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga have both conceded four goals and four clubs in Ligue 1 sit at two goals conceded. At shot-on-target metrics, Roma rank second in Serie A, allowing an average of three shots per match—just behind Como's 2.75—while Arsenal lead across Europe with 2.25 per game, according to Sofascore data. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar has provided crucial protection between the posts, making decisive interventions in moments of defensive vulnerability. This strong defensive performance stands in sharp contrast to Inter, Roma's next league opponent, who have already conceded six goals in their opening matches.

Roma have conceded just one goal in Serie A this season, matching Arsenal's record among Europe's top five leagues and establishing themselves as the continent's tightest defence. The solitary goal came from Atalanta's Ederson in one of the few attempts the visitors managed. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis form the core of a defensive unit reinforced by Leonardo Balerdi's recent arrival. Last season Roma's defence was the best in Europe for much of the campaign before finishing second in Serie A behind Como. Germany's Freiburg has also conceded one goal but from three matches, while Real Madrid and Barcelona share Spain's best record with four. France has four teams on two goals conceded. Roma rank first across Italy for shots faced, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar proving decisive when danger arrives—a stark contrast to Inter, who have already conceded six goals this season.

Roma made it four consecutive Serie A victories with a 2–0 win at Torino, goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli securing the result. The defence was the standout feature, with Leonardo Balerdi and Gianluca Mancini earning widespread praise from the Italian press for their dominance and ball recovery that directly led to both goals. Mile Svilar was also crucial, making a decisive save from Simeone. Nahuel Molina impressed in the second half, while Marten de Roon delivered a strong cameo off the bench. By contrast, Santiago Castro, Rodrigo Mora and Manu Koné had less impact, and Matías Soulé failed to find his rhythm, though the team's overall control remained evident. Roma remain unbeaten and on maximum points in the season's opening run. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have built early momentum that sets up a significant test ahead. The ratings across Italy's major sports press show remarkable consistency on standout performers. Svilar was rated between 6.5 and 8, with Il Romanista, Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera all giving 7 or higher. Balerdi ranged from 7 to 8—Il Romanista and Corriere dello Sport both awarded 7.5 or higher. Mancini scored between 6.5 and 8 across outlets, while Malen and Pisilli both drew frequent praise, rated between 7 and 8 in most assessments. De Roon's substitute appearance earned 6.5 to 7, and Molina was rated 6.5 to 7. By contrast, Soulé drew the lowest marks, rated between 5.5 and 6 across all outlets, and Castro similarly struggled to register, rated 5.5 to 6. Gasperini himself received an 8 from Corriere dello Sport and a 7 from Tuttosport and Romanews.eu. The giallorossi now prepare for a high-profile fixture against Inter, a test that the sources indicate will reveal much about Gasperini's squad's genuine ambitions.