Roma collapse at Cardiff as Gasperini demands urgent reinforcements

Roma face Inter at the Olimpico on Saturday in their first major test of a promising season, but history weighs heavily against them. The Giallorossi have won four matches with 12 goals scored and only one conceded so far, numbers that have begun to fuel talk of genuine ambitions in the capital. However, Roma have not beaten Inter at home for nearly a decade—their last victory came in 2016 under Spalletti, decided by an own goal from Icardi. Since then, nine matches have yielded three draws and six defeats. Gasperini, preparing his tactical approach to challenge Inter and their coach Chivu, carries his own uncomfortable record against the Nerazzurri. In 36 meetings, the Roma boss has managed only five victories. Last season added another painful chapter with a heavy defeat at San Siro. The Inter side arrives as a complete and formidable opponent, strong in every department and capable of raising their level in big matches, though some defensive vulnerabilities have emerged. Gasperini wants to change his record against them precisely now, when Roma have truly begun to dream. The task will demand the perfect performance, personality from his players, and above all the Olimpico behind them—a ten-year drought is a long one to break.

Niccolò Pisilli scored in Roma's 2–0 victory over Torino, playing the full 90 minutes and capping a solid performance with the goal that sealed the win. The midfielder later joined teammates for a celebration dinner at Trattoria Romana I Ciarli in the Infernetto district of Rome, where he was greeted with a light-hearted joke from fellow diners. "Even without a leg you've done it," he was told in jest—a quip that drew a smile from the young midfielder, who was tired but happy after scoring and winning.

Gasperini made three tactical adjustments in the 55th minute during Roma's match against Torino, transforming the side from their standard 3-4-1-2 formation into a more compact 3-5-2 to protect the midfield and manage the game at a critical moment. With Roma bright in the first half but tiring in the second, and Torino pressing harder after their tactical shift, the coach reshaped his defence and midfield: Balerdi dropped to midfield during out-of-possession phases, allowing Mancini to slot into the back three, while Lulli moved to the right as a centre-back and Soulé was lowered to the right flank to provide additional balance. The adjustment proved decisive, giving Roma greater defensive cover without sacrificing attacking threat and allowing them to resist Torino's pressure before securing victory with late goals from Malen and Dybala. The change exemplified Gasperini's approach to in-game management—reading the match, shifting shape at the right moment, and maintaining Roma's identity while adapting to opposition movements. Where Torino's increased intensity and the injection of Braganca had created danger, Roma's new shape absorbed pressure and controlled the midfield space. Gasperini's willingness to vary his setup without abandoning his 3-4-1-2 framework, toggling between formations as circumstances demand, has become a hallmark of his tenure at the club. The tactical evolution comes with Inter's visit next on the horizon—another fixture demanding close reading of the game and precision in execution. Gasperini's Roma are proving capable of winning through detail, intensity, and sustained concentration across the full 90 minutes, qualities the coach is embedding as the side plots their course through the season.

Roma's perfect Serie A start continued with victory against Torino to secure four wins in four matches—a run the club has not achieved since the 2014–15 season under Rudi Garcia. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side are displaying a clear attacking identity matched by defensive solidity, having scored in all four league fixtures and built a goal difference of +11, among the best in Europe at this stage. Only Barcelona have outpaced Roma, with an impressive +17. Roma have conceded just one goal, placing them level with Arsenal among the continent's strongest defences. The excellence runs through the squad's individual performers. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in the opening four matches—an extraordinary return matching the output of elite names like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, and trailing only Mbappé by one goal. Paulo Dybala's contribution is equally vital: the Argentine has provided four assists, second in the early season standings behind Barcelona's Gordon on five, with Jude Bellingham and others further back on three.

Gasperini made three tactical adjustments in the 55th minute during Roma's match against Torino, transforming the side from their standard 3-4-1-2 formation into a more compact 3-5-2 to protect the midfield and manage the game at a critical moment. With Roma bright in the first half but tiring in the second, and Torino pressing harder after their tactical shift, the coach reshaped his defence and midfield: Balerdi dropped to midfield during out-of-possession phases, allowing Mancini to slot into the back three, while Lulli moved to the right as a centre-back and Soulé was lowered to the right flank to provide additional balance. The adjustment proved decisive, giving Roma greater defensive cover without sacrificing attacking threat and allowing them to resist Torino's pressure before securing victory with late goals from Malen and Dybala. The change exemplified Gasperini's approach to in-game management—reading the match, shifting shape at the right moment, and maintaining Roma's identity while adapting to opposition movements. Where Torino's increased intensity and the injection of Braganca had created danger, Roma's new shape absorbed pressure and controlled the midfield space. Gasperini's willingness to vary his setup without abandoning his 3-4-1-2 framework, toggling between formations as circumstances demand, has become a hallmark of his tenure at the club. The tactical evolution comes with Inter's visit next on the horizon—another fixture demanding close reading of the game and precision in execution. Gasperini's Roma are proving capable of winning through detail, intensity, and sustained concentration across the full 90 minutes, qualities the coach is embedding as the side plots their course through the season.

Luciano Moggi and Gian Piero Gasperini were photographed together at a bar in Turin on 15 September, prompting speculation among Roma supporters about the encounter between the club's current head coach and a figure long associated with Juventus and the Calciopoli scandal. Moggi, speaking to Radio Radio, clarified that the two have known each other for years from their time working together at Juventus, when Gasperini coached the youth academy and Moggi held a director's role. Moggi stressed that Gasperini requires no advice, saying: "Abbiamo parlato della partita, del più e del meno. La squadra è quella che è, è prima in classifica ma a prescindere da quello che sta dimostrando ha un'ossatura importante, un gioco importante. Davanti ha chi fa gol" ("We talked about the match and other things. The squad is what it is—they're top of the table, and regardless of what they're showing, they have an important structure, important football. Up front they have goalscorers"). Moggi also addressed Roma's comparison with Juventus, stating that Roma are superior across defence, midfield and attack, with particular praise for midfielder Manu Koné, noting that Juventus would be a different proposition if they had a player of his calibre. On Roma's title prospects, Moggi said: "La Roma si può giocare lo scudetto" ("Roma can compete for the Scudetto"). He highlighted Donyell Malen as a crucial acquisition, describing him as "Un affare per il rapporto economico-sportivo" ("A deal in economic and sporting terms"), crediting Malen with energizing teammates and improving Paulo Dybala's consistency. Moggi noted that Malen had been a reserve elsewhere, but that Italy's league offers such players a platform to emerge as starters. He concluded that if Roma maintain continuity with Malen, they can challenge Inter, with Gasperini described as "super" and the squad possessing quality across all departments. Roma face Inter on Saturday at 18:00.

Gianluca Mancini has silenced his doubters with an impressive performance, capping a week in which the Roma defender faced scrutiny over errors in matches against Atalanta and Fenerbahce. A selfie with children outside Trigoria yesterday underscored his commitment to the giallorossi colours. After coming under fire from some quarters who called for Leonardo Balerdi to replace him, Mancini delivered a strong showing, even taking the captain's armband after Bryan Cristante's substitution. Inter, who made a significant move for him in the summer, now face him as an opponent — a test of the resolve Mancini showed when he chose Roma over a financially superior offer elsewhere. The 23-year-old has committed his future to the club, signing a contract extension through 2029. He is expected to start on Saturday in the heart of Roma's defence alongside Mario Hermoso and either Evan N'Dicka or Balerdi as the team prepares to confront Inter's attacking threat. Mancini could have decided to face Roma as an adversary this summer, but rejected that path. Instead, he is set to enjoy a Serie A campaign that has begun with high expectations and his first Champions League season as a key player.

Radio Roma commentators are backing Roma to upset Inter in their upcoming league fixture, with analyst Mario Mattioli declaring Roma in the better psychological state to spring a surprise. Mattioli said: "Never like this time can Roma pull off a trick on Inter: in my view at this moment I see them superior to the Nerazzurri in character and psychological predisposition, I see them very consistent. Inter has more ups and downs: they concede two goals but then overturn it. Never like this time can Roma win it. But if the match doesn't open up in regular time, I don't rule out that in the end it could finish in a draw." Roma have not beaten Inter since November 2018, but commentators believe the pressure-based system Gasperini has installed offers a route to victory. David Rossi highlighted that "Roma has understood what the manager wants, they all go in the same direction, there's no one who breaks ranks. Inter is a team that suffers under pressure… when pressed well, man-to-man, it can run into difficulty." Fabio Petruzzi praised the conviction shown against Turin, noting Roma "doesn't fear playing high, plays with the defence on the midfield line, doesn't fear conceding goals. It's a calculated risk. The mentality of going onto any pitch and not fearing one-v-one football across the entire field is the most beautiful thing." Nando Orsi cautioned that the fixture will be revealing, saying: "This match can give different judgements compared to what we've seen so far because neither of the two has faced important teams until now." Francesca Ferrazza anticipated tactical rotation, predicting: "Gasperini doesn't put out the usual formation, in my view on Saturday with a more advanced midfielder in Cristante or Pisilli, and putting Dybala and Malen up front." The defence remains a live selection question. Alessio Nardo noted that the Mancini–Balerdi–Hermoso trio is "perhaps one of the fiercest trios and most temperamental," while Lorenzo Pes assessed the Balerdi versus Ndícka choice as "50–50," noting Ndícka's familiarity with the defensive unit may give him the edge. Roberto Pruzzo, a Roma legend, expressed concern about Inter's strength in depth, observing they have two squads and reacted powerfully after conceding two goals in recent form.

Niccolò Pisilli has impressed in Roma's opening matches after overcoming a difficult summer, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is weighing how to use him in the coming fixture against Inter. Gasperini has long admired the 21-year-old midfielder, who will turn 22 in a week. Last season the coach praised Pisilli's development repeatedly and made his commitment to the club explicit in January, saying he would "stay here". Pisilli has repaid that faith on the pitch, delivering the kind of outside-the-box shots that few other midfielders in the Roma squad possess. Before the Torino match, Gasperini was direct about his midfield depth: "In midfield we have four players, all four are essential and important." The numbers back him up. Pisilli has already scored 10 goals in 82 Roma appearances (across 5 assists)—a tally De Rossi reached in 105 matches. Remarkably, 7 of his 10 goals came after the 80th minute and 3 beyond the 90th, a striking pattern that underscores his impact as a substitute. Against Inter, he could start again, though potentially in a different role. With Koné expected to return to midfield alongside Cristante and de Roon ready to come off the bench, Gasperini may deploy Pisilli as a trequartista behind Dybala and Malen. This positioning would allow him to support the midfield—more so than Soulé or Mora—while leveraging his ability to strike from distance and find space between the lines to create attacking threats.