Roma face Inter test with three key selection dilemmas for Gasperini

Roma's fixture against Inter will be shaped by tactical duels across the pitch, with the flanks emerging as the decisive battleground. Wesley and Federico Dimarco are set to be the principal actors in this wide play, with the Brazilian having been a key target for Gian Piero Gasperini during his time at Atalanta before joining Roma, where the coach has given him a new tactical role. Cristian Chivu considers Dimarco an irreplaceable cornerstone of Inter's system, while Gasperini has similarly tailored Wesley's position to suit his requirements. The two offer different qualities but carry equal importance in their respective teams' structures and will face direct opposition across the 90 minutes. Gasperini's tactical approach on Roma's left flank will be directly influenced by Dimarco's presence on Inter's left. On Roma's right flank, an open competition remains between Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina, with training sessions before the match set to determine which player is best suited to contain Inter's attacking raids. The wider picture of Roma's wing play is completed by Andy Diouf, deployed on the flanks by Chivu out of tactical necessity despite being primarily considered an attacking midfielder. Meanwhile, attention on the attacking front is inevitable, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading Roma's offensive threat against Inter's Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.

Roma and Inter meet in a match that has gripped the capital for days, with both clubs sitting top of the table after perfect starts to the season. The fixture carries the weight of a title decider, a far cry from the era fifteen years ago when these two sides regularly contested the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa. The Stadio Olimpico's capacity of roughly 70,000 will prove inadequate: 65,500 tickets have already been sold within 48 hours of kickoff, with the visiting section also set to overflow. The ground is all but sold out. Another full house is scarcely news in the Friedkin era. Over 80 all-outs have been recorded since the American family took control of the giallorossi, establishing a pattern of exceptional attendance. The fixture will showcase Roma's champions—Dybala and Malen among them—against Inter counterparts including Lautaro and Dimarco. Both sides carry uncomfortable history: Gasperini left poor memories in Milan, while Chivu, who will face the club where he played, remains a flashpoint after gesturing defiantly towards the curve during a previous Roma–Inter meeting, a act his former supporters have never forgiven. Daniele Aloisi, writing in Il Messaggero, notes that a stadium holding 150,000 would be necessary to meet demand for an encounter of this magnitude, underlining how completely this rivalry has captured public attention across the city.

Roma face Inter on Saturday in a contest that will be shaped by the battle for control on the wings. While Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will command attention on one side and Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram on the other, the match may ultimately be decided in the wide areas, where Gasperini and Inter manager Simone Chivu deploy their respective leaders: Wesley and Dimarco, supported by Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina for Roma, and Diouf for Inter. According to Il Messaggero's Stefano Carina, Wesley and Dimarco represent contrasting philosophies. Chivu is a confirmed admirer of Dimarco, while Gasperini pursued Wesley across two separate clubs—first at Atalanta, then embracing him at Roma—and has even adjusted his playing role. Both defenders are capable enough to operate alongside each other, and their potential overlap on Saturday cannot be ruled out. The presence of Dimarco could force Roma to adjust their right-side interpreter during the match itself. With Thursday still ahead, time remains for tactical reflection and training-ground preparation. Diouf alone is absent from this quartet of wing-backs, a player who sees himself more naturally as a central midfielder despite his current deployment on the flank.

Roma legend Aldair has praised Gasperini's squad, singling out Donyell Malen as the strongest player in the team. "They are right to say he is the strongest; I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. On the title race, he added: "Roma can compete all the way with Inter." He also highlighted the defence, saying: "N'Dicka is making the difference, but Mancini and Hermoso always hold firm. And Balerdi — have you seen him?" Meanwhile, police have issued 16 Daspo (stadium bans) to Curva Sud supporters who were recorded performing a Roman salute during the Roma–Atalanta match on 5 September. The bans will last between one and five years and will prevent these supporters from attending Roma matches both in Rome and abroad. Four of those supporters have also been issued additional restrictions requiring them to report to police stations on match days when Roma play at home. Gasperini has brought a new defensive solidity to Roma. In the 2025–26 season, his team conceded just 0.82 goals per match—the best average of his managerial career. This trend began at Atalanta, where the side finished the 2024–25 campaign with 37 goals conceded. Gasperini now aims to improve that record further.

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has praised the form of the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out Donyell Malen for particular acclaim. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former captain said many in Serie A now regard Malen as the strongest player in the league. "They are right—I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. "When he gets the ball he turns immediately and comes at you. Then he is fast and he sees the goal." Aldair believes Roma have improved substantially from last season and can challenge Inter for the title. "Roma is better than last season, they are well physically and mentally and always arrive first to the ball," he said. "Yes, they can fight all the way to the end with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench." He identified Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in the defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency. He also highlighted Leonardo Balerdi, noting that Gasperini's system demands an intense high pressing throughout matches. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult—no one can maintain that type of pressure all over the pitch for the entire match," Aldair explained. When asked whether he would have enjoyed playing under Gasperini, the former Roma icon expressed doubt: "I am not so sure I would have played. When I arrived there was still the libero."

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has assessed the current state of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. The former captain acknowledged Donyell Malen's quality in Serie A this season, saying: "They're right, I would have struggled too with him. When he gets the ball he turns immediately and goes at you. Then he's quick and he sees the goal." Aldair identified Roma and Como as the standout performers in the league, praising his former club's improvement: "Roma is better than last season, it's in good shape physically and mentally and always gets to the ball first." On the title race, Aldair believes Roma can genuinely compete with Inter. "Yes, they can fight all the way with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench," he said. The 59-year-old highlighted the difficulty of Gasperini's tactical system, noting that the pressing demands are extreme. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult, nobody manages that kind of full-pitch pressure for an entire match," he explained. Aldair singled out Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in Roma's defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency, and also mentioned Leonardo Balerdi's contributions. When asked whether he would have liked to play under Gasperini, Aldair expressed doubt about his own place in such a system: "I'm not so sure I would have played, you know? When I arrived there was still the libero."

Roma legend Aldair has praised Gasperini's squad, singling out Donyell Malen as the strongest player in the team. "They are right to say he is the strongest; I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. On the title race, he added: "Roma can compete all the way with Inter." He also highlighted the defence, saying: "N'Dicka is making the difference, but Mancini and Hermoso always hold firm. And Balerdi — have you seen him?" Meanwhile, police have issued 16 Daspo (stadium bans) to Curva Sud supporters who were recorded performing a Roman salute during the Roma–Atalanta match on 5 September. The bans will last between one and five years and will prevent these supporters from attending Roma matches both in Rome and abroad. Four of those supporters have also been issued additional restrictions requiring them to report to police stations on match days when Roma play at home. Gasperini has brought a new defensive solidity to Roma. In the 2025–26 season, his team conceded just 0.82 goals per match—the best average of his managerial career. This trend began at Atalanta, where the side finished the 2024–25 campaign with 37 goals conceded. Gasperini now aims to improve that record further.

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has praised the form of the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out Donyell Malen for particular acclaim. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former captain said many in Serie A now regard Malen as the strongest player in the league. "They are right—I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. "When he gets the ball he turns immediately and comes at you. Then he is fast and he sees the goal." Aldair believes Roma have improved substantially from last season and can challenge Inter for the title. "Roma is better than last season, they are well physically and mentally and always arrive first to the ball," he said. "Yes, they can fight all the way to the end with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench." He identified Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in the defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency. He also highlighted Leonardo Balerdi, noting that Gasperini's system demands an intense high pressing throughout matches. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult—no one can maintain that type of pressure all over the pitch for the entire match," Aldair explained. When asked whether he would have enjoyed playing under Gasperini, the former Roma icon expressed doubt: "I am not so sure I would have played. When I arrived there was still the libero."

Paulo Dybala has been invited by the Argentine Football Federation to attend a farewell ceremony for Lionel Messi, despite not being called up by coach Scaloni for the squad. The Joya won a World Cup with Messi and shared many matches with the Argentina national team. The ceremony will take place on 6 October when Argentina face Benin in what will be a farewell celebration for Messi. Dybala's attendance remains uncertain because Como play Roma five days later, on 11 October, which could prevent him from travelling. Other Roma players have clearer availability for the international break. Molina's presence at the farewell is possible, while Castro, Soulé and Balerdi are all confirmed in Scaloni's squad and their attendance is more certain. The timing presents a logistical challenge for the club during the international fixture list, as Dybala would need to balance the honour of attending Messi's farewell with his club commitments.

Roma's fixture against Inter will be shaped by tactical duels across the pitch, with the flanks emerging as the decisive battleground. Wesley and Federico Dimarco are set to be the principal actors in this wide play, with the Brazilian having been a key target for Gian Piero Gasperini during his time at Atalanta before joining Roma, where the coach has given him a new tactical role. Cristian Chivu considers Dimarco an irreplaceable cornerstone of Inter's system, while Gasperini has similarly tailored Wesley's position to suit his requirements. The two offer different qualities but carry equal importance in their respective teams' structures and will face direct opposition across the 90 minutes. Gasperini's tactical approach on Roma's left flank will be directly influenced by Dimarco's presence on Inter's left. On Roma's right flank, an open competition remains between Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina, with training sessions before the match set to determine which player is best suited to contain Inter's attacking raids. The wider picture of Roma's wing play is completed by Andy Diouf, deployed on the flanks by Chivu out of tactical necessity despite being primarily considered an attacking midfielder. Meanwhile, attention on the attacking front is inevitable, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen leading Roma's offensive threat against Inter's Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.

Roma face Inter on Saturday in a contest that will be shaped by the battle for control on the wings. While Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will command attention on one side and Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram on the other, the match may ultimately be decided in the wide areas, where Gasperini and Inter manager Simone Chivu deploy their respective leaders: Wesley and Dimarco, supported by Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina for Roma, and Diouf for Inter. According to Il Messaggero's Stefano Carina, Wesley and Dimarco represent contrasting philosophies. Chivu is a confirmed admirer of Dimarco, while Gasperini pursued Wesley across two separate clubs—first at Atalanta, then embracing him at Roma—and has even adjusted his playing role. Both defenders are capable enough to operate alongside each other, and their potential overlap on Saturday cannot be ruled out. The presence of Dimarco could force Roma to adjust their right-side interpreter during the match itself. With Thursday still ahead, time remains for tactical reflection and training-ground preparation. Diouf alone is absent from this quartet of wing-backs, a player who sees himself more naturally as a central midfielder despite his current deployment on the flank.

Roma host Inter in a top-flight fixture centred on a duel between the two leagues' leading marksmen: Donyell Malen and Lautaro Martinez. Malen has scored 20 goals in 19 appearances in giallorosso, while Martinez arrives fresh from a brace against Napoli. Both forwards embody the attacking intensity their teams have brought to Serie A, with Roma and Inter fielding the division's two strongest attacks. Roma lead the league's offensive charge with 12 goals and a goal difference of +11, while Inter follow with 11 goals scored but six conceded. Gasperini's tactical blueprint has driven Roma to the top of the Serie A table for average pitch position at 55.8 metres, with Inter second at 54.6. Roma are producing 21.3 shots per match on average—7.8 on target, 10.3 off target, and 3.3 blocked. This output exceeds even Gasperini's record-breaking season at Atalanta in 2019–20, when that team finished with 98 goals across the campaign and generated 18.7 shots per match. On the injury front, positive developments emerged from Roma's Trigoria training ground. Evan N'Dicka and Wesley have returned to full training with the squad and are candidates to start. Mario Hermoso completed differentiated work as a precaution following a minor ankle contusion, though his condition is not a cause for concern. Gasperini faces selection questions on the right flank, where Emanuele Lulli holds the edge over Nahuel Molina, and in central defence, with Leonardo Balerdi challenging N'Dicka for a place in the back line.