Radio voices weigh in on Roma's Inter test: Gasperini must adapt, says Rossomando

In 1998, Aldair made a decisive gesture that shaped Roma's history: the Brazilian defender handed the captain's armband to Francesco Totti, then an emerging talent. That decision set Totti on a path to lead the club for nearly two decades. In a recent interview for Sky's documentary series *Aldair, Cuore giallorosso*, Totti reflected on the moment with gratitude for its long-term significance. "I didn't know anything about it," Totti said. "He told me on the spot: 'From now on, you'll be the captain of this squad.' At the time I didn't understand what it meant, I didn't realise what could happen. But day after day I came to understand the beauty of wearing this armband." The transfer of the captaincy marked a turning point in Roma's identity, elevating Totti from promising young player to the symbolic leader of the club.

Christian Vieri has praised Gian Piero Gasperini's start as Roma head coach, saying the club must heed his guidance if they are to achieve their ambitions. Roma have collected 12 points from four matches with 12 goals scored and only one conceded—a record Vieri views as evidence of Gasperini's tactical impact. The side face Inter on Saturday in what Vieri calls "the first real test of the season", followed by a home fixture against Real Madrid at the Olimpico. Vieri told Adnkronos: "He has made a very very good start, with 12 points in four matches. Gasperini's work is visible; he is one of the greatest coaches in the world, so if the club listens to him, he can take Roma high." The former striker also praised Paulo Dybala as "always the number one, a great striker", and expressed confidence that Gasperini will prepare the team correctly for the challenges ahead. Of the Madrid visit, Vieri said: "It will be a cauldron", and predicted that Gasperini "will get his players to a thousand, it will be a beautiful match to watch."

Former Roma striker Francesco Graziani has praised José Mourinho's impact at the club ahead of the manager's return to the Olimpico with Real Madrid in the Champions League. "A fantastic manager," Graziani said in an interview with Il Tempo. "When he left Roma I was enormously disappointed. I almost cried. Beyond winning a European cup and coming close in another, he was able to bring the environment back together, and what you experience at the stadium today is also the fruit of his great work." Graziani turned his focus to the current project under Gian Piero Gasperini, who arrived from Atalanta. "After a long experience full of satisfaction at Atalanta, he chose Roma and arrived with a strong desire to prove himself," Graziani said. "Last season he was good at building; this summer he worked very well to strengthen the squad and the results are showing. I believe the arrival of D'Amico was decisive. The two know each other perfectly and have already shown they are a couple capable of building top-level teams." Roma face title contenders Inter on Saturday. "It will be a great match, between two teams that so far haven't dropped a point," Graziani observed. "Anything can happen at the Olimpico, but it won't be a decisive match—it comes too early and whatever the final result, both teams will have time and the means to compete."