Roma can fight for the title until the end, says Mattioli

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."

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter in a Serie A match on which pundit Daniele Adani offered detailed analysis. Adani highlighted Roma's attacking aggression in the opening period, noting how Molina won the ball back and provided an assist for Koné, and how Hermoso and Balerdi pushed forward into the opponent's penalty area. However, he identified defensive lapses, particularly Soulé being caught out of position against Bisseck on a throw-in, and singled out Gianluca Mancini for a lapse on Lautaro Martinez's first goal. "Mancini is a bit superficial and Roma concede in numerical superiority in the area," Adani said. Adani suggested Roma would have held their advantage had they resisted another 15–20 minutes without allowing Inter back into the contest. He emphasised the tactical toll of Gasperini's system, noting that Roma defended one-on-one eighty metres from goal and allowed themselves to be beaten despite playing well. He remarked that Paulo Dybala closed down on the second post against Lautaro Martinez during the match. On Inter's comeback, Adani observed that while Inter made two substitutions at the 90-minute mark, it was Inter who rose to the occasion rather than Roma's performance dropping. "The first hour of Roma is sensational," he said. "Inter feel in control, so the blows come. Even if you are the strongest team, if you don't show it you go down to everyone. Against Real Madrid like against Udinese. They also believe they are the strongest because they are the architects and feel in control."

Roma's radio shows dissected Saturday's 2–2 draw with Inter, with commentators praising the first-half performance but questioning the manager's tactical decisions in the second. Gianluca Piacentini argued that Roma should have converted more of their chances and that Gasperini erred in removing Manu Koné, saying: "For me Gasperini was wrong to take off Koné. If we're looking at who doesn't have 90 minutes in them, Dybala doesn't have it more than Koné does." Mario Corsi defended Koné's role in midfield, remarking: "The Frenchman holds the entire midfield on his own—at one point he seemed like Gullit." Roberto Pruzzo expressed disappointment at the substitutions, noting that Rodrigo Mora "cost an absolute fortune and the manager doesn't even bring him on," and citing Koné's missed opportunities as a turning point: "When you see Koné take two shots and score two goals instead of sending it into the corner, that's a moment you can't waste." Roma dominated the opening 45 minutes, creating numerous chances and holding Inter scoreless at the interval, but conceded almost immediately after the restart—a pattern of weakness several analysts highlighted. Alessio Nardo drew a stark contrast to Roma's 5–2 loss at San Siro on 5 April, saying: "Only a few months have passed, and whilst playing away is different, Roma not only didn't lose, they drew and are also disappointed. The real signal is that." Lorenzo Pes pinpointed the problem: "The goals conceded and the lapses at the start of the second half are the issue to solve." Piero Torri suggested Roma are pursuing left-winger Kvernadze, saying: "I have the impression that Roma are looking for him—and as it happens, he's a left-sided player with a right foot. He seems like an interesting player to me. You're short numerically on that type of player there." Checco Oddo Casano noted that Dybala has scored zero goals this season but provides one assist per match, whilst admitting he has squandered at least three goalscoring chances. Francesca Ferrazza warned of the fixture congestion ahead, stressing Roma need ready players before January. Fabio Petruzzi and David Rossi were among those who felt Roma had matched Inter's intensity, with Petruzzi declaring Roma and Inter "the two strongest teams in the league and will fight it out until the end." The consensus was that Roma's first-half dominance and the narrow scoreline represented real progress, though the defensive vulnerability in the second half must be corrected.