Roma Flash: Squad depth tested during international break; Koné earns top ratings after Inter draw

Stefano Agresti has offered his assessment of Roma's performance, saying head coach Gasperini will feel an understandable sense of disappointment despite a commanding display. Speaking on Radio Radio, Agresti praised Roma's football, noting the team played excellently and dominated against Serie A's strongest opponent. However, he identified a critical failing: "If you win 2-0 in the first half, you definitely leave with a bitter taste. Gasperini can be happy because Roma played very well, dominated against the best in Serie A. The Giallorossi were already at their fifth substitution by the end, exhausted, because they spent a lot in the first half. On the goal there was carelessness." Agresti's comments reflect the frustration of conceding late despite Roma's superiority for large stretches of the match.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash between the two in-form sides of the season. The major Italian sports newspapers published their player ratings following the final whistle, with a clear consensus emerging on the standout performances. Manu Koné drew the highest marks across all outlets, consistently rated 8 out of 10 for his midfield display. Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante also earned strong praise, with most papers rating them 7. The principal criticism fell on Gianluca Mancini, who received 5 or 5.5 across the board—the lowest mark given to any Roma starter. Gian Piero Gasperini, the head coach, was rated between 6 and 7 by the papers. Mile Svilar in goal, Leonardo Balerdi in defence, and Matías Soulé in attack all received ratings in the 6–7 range. Evan N'Dicka, who came on as a replacement after Mancini's 60th-minute departure, was rated 5.5 to 6.5 depending on the outlet. Devyne Rensch, who entered at the same juncture at left-back, received 5.5 to 6. Mario Hermoso drew ratings of 5 to 6 before being substituted in the 81st minute. Wesley earned marks of 5 to 6.5 at right-back, while Donyell Malen completed the attacking line with ratings of 5 to 6.5.

Manu Koné scored twice in Roma's match against Inter on 19 September, delivering one of his best performances in a giallorosso shirt and underlining his importance to Gasperini's project. The midfielder opened the scoring with a right-footed rebound inside the area before adding a second with his left foot under the crossbar—two different finishes that marked his first brace and only the fifth time in Roma's history that a player has scored twice in the first half against Inter, joining Pruzzo, Graziani, Balbo and Totti in that distinction. Koné's display highlights a dramatic shift in his game. Until now his physical and technical qualities—pace, ball-carrying, the ability to break lines—were never in doubt, but he lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Gasperini has explicitly asked him to fill that gap and add goal threat to his repertoire. If he can sustain that scoring form alongside his existing defensive and ball-winning skills, the Frenchman could transform into one of the world's best at his position. The timing carries extra weight: Inter had targeted Koné in previous transfer windows as the ideal midfielder to add force and dynamism to their engine room, and Roma resisted despite fan unease. Chelsea also moved more recently, reportedly discussing figures around €55 million, but Gasperini always viewed him as a cornerstone of the Roma project. When Koné was substituted after Inter equalised to make it 1–2, Gasperini explained his reasoning: "It was my choice, he didn't ask to come off. He was fading, he doesn't have the stamina for 90 minutes." That assessment is understandable given the intensity Koné expends in that system. Yet the sense remained that Roma needed him most at precisely that moment. Without the Frenchman, the side progressively lost ground, the ability to escape pressure and presence in the central duels. Inter seized control of the midfield and could conduct their attack with greater continuity. Koné is among the rare players capable of defending high, winning the ball and forcing opponents to worry even when Roma are attacking. Five of his six career goals in giallorosso have come at the Olimpico. The next phase of his development is learning to deliver that impact consistently across a full 90 minutes, not just in flashes. If he marries that newly found goal-scoring to his existing power, Roma may find themselves harbouring a world-class midfielder.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash between the two in-form sides of the season. The major Italian sports newspapers published their player ratings following the final whistle, with a clear consensus emerging on the standout performances. Manu Koné drew the highest marks across all outlets, consistently rated 8 out of 10 for his midfield display. Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante also earned strong praise, with most papers rating them 7. The principal criticism fell on Gianluca Mancini, who received 5 or 5.5 across the board—the lowest mark given to any Roma starter. Gian Piero Gasperini, the head coach, was rated between 6 and 7 by the papers. Mile Svilar in goal, Leonardo Balerdi in defence, and Matías Soulé in attack all received ratings in the 6–7 range. Evan N'Dicka, who came on as a replacement after Mancini's 60th-minute departure, was rated 5.5 to 6.5 depending on the outlet. Devyne Rensch, who entered at the same juncture at left-back, received 5.5 to 6. Mario Hermoso drew ratings of 5 to 6 before being substituted in the 81st minute. Wesley earned marks of 5 to 6.5 at right-back, while Donyell Malen completed the attacking line with ratings of 5 to 6.5.

Manu Koné scored twice but it was not enough for Roma to beat Inter, according to ratings published by five Italian newspapers. Koné earned an 8 from Corriere dello Sport, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, with 8 also from Il Messaggero's match assessment, and 7.5 from La Repubblica. He shared best-in-field honours with Bryan Cristante in most outlets' evaluations. The Argentinian defenders Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina also impressed, as did Paulo Dybala, who received ratings of 7 from Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, and 6.5 from Il Messaggero and La Repubblica. Gianluca Mancini's defensive error proved decisive, allowing Lautaro to open the scoring for Inter. Mancini was universally marked down across the newspapers, receiving a 5 from Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, 5.5 from Il Messaggero and La Repubblica, and 5.5 from Il Tempo. He was substituted at the 60-minute mark. Evan N'Dicka replaced him and earned ratings between 5.5 and 6.5. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini received marks of 7, 6.5, 6.5, 6 and 6.5 respectively. Other defenders and midfielders drew mixed assessments. Mile Svilar in goal was rated 6.5 to 7.5, while Mario Hermoso, who also departed early (81 minutes), received 5 to 6. Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen both earned 6 to 6.5 marks. Wesley and Molina's departures at the 60-minute mark saw them replaced by Devyne Rensch and other squad rotation options across the newspapers' 3-4-2-1 formation analysis.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico in a match shaped by a stark contrast between the sides' first and second halves. Manu Koné scored twice for Roma—once to open the scoring early and again to double the lead—but Lautaro Martínez levelled before the interval ended and added a second in the second half, when Roma's resistance crumbled. The hosts began with intensity and control under Gasperini, but a pattern of conceding goals immediately after the restart proved decisive once more. Several Roma players arrived for the match with depleted energy; the upcoming international break will offer a chance to recharge. Mancini had a difficult afternoon and took responsibility for Roma's defensive lapses, notably on Martínez's first goal. Balerdi was composed and physical against Thuram, lasting just over an hour before withdrawal. Hermoso maintained positional discipline but lacked sharpness in execution. Wesley patrolled the flank tirelessly, shutting down Dimarco's advances repeatedly. Cristante operated as the engine room, covering more ground than any other Roma player. Koné's two-goal display was the bright spark—a particularly sharp irony given he could have joined Inter instead—though his early withdrawal raised questions about fatigue management. Dybala orchestrated Roma's attacking play in the first half with incisive passes that set up Koné's goals and fulfilled defensive duties, though he too faded after the break. Soulé provided quality when he found space, running the full 90 minutes with consistency. Malen troubled Bastoni with his movement and nearly broke through. Molina crafted the assist for Koné's opener with an impeccable header after reading the play perfectly. N'Dicka entered at the hour mark and worked to hold the defensive line steady, earning a yellow card for a necessary foul on Thuram. Pisilli came on at 59 minutes but lacked Koné's substance and appeared tentative. Rensch struggled to impose himself when Inter pressed hard. Ghilardi joined the proceedings at 65 minutes and quickly picked up a yellow card; his challenge on Thuram was insufficient. Koulierakis received a caution immediately upon entering late on. Svilar made a miraculous save from a corner and could not be faulted for the two Martínez finishes, maintaining his high standards throughout. Gasperini had urged the team to tighten up after the interval, yet Roma conceded again in the second half and allowed Inter back into the contest. The manager salvaged a point against a strong opponent, though the manner of the collapse—defensive errors and fatigue after 59 minutes of substitutions—left room for frustration. The international break arrives at a timely moment to restore freshness across the squad.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash between the two in-form sides of the season. The major Italian sports newspapers published their player ratings following the final whistle, with a clear consensus emerging on the standout performances. Manu Koné drew the highest marks across all outlets, consistently rated 8 out of 10 for his midfield display. Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante also earned strong praise, with most papers rating them 7. The principal criticism fell on Gianluca Mancini, who received 5 or 5.5 across the board—the lowest mark given to any Roma starter. Gian Piero Gasperini, the head coach, was rated between 6 and 7 by the papers. Mile Svilar in goal, Leonardo Balerdi in defence, and Matías Soulé in attack all received ratings in the 6–7 range. Evan N'Dicka, who came on as a replacement after Mancini's 60th-minute departure, was rated 5.5 to 6.5 depending on the outlet. Devyne Rensch, who entered at the same juncture at left-back, received 5.5 to 6. Mario Hermoso drew ratings of 5 to 6 before being substituted in the 81st minute. Wesley earned marks of 5 to 6.5 at right-back, while Donyell Malen completed the attacking line with ratings of 5 to 6.5.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico, leaving the club joint leaders of Serie A alongside Inter and Lazio after four wins and a draw from five matches. The giallorossi led 2–0 at half-time through a Manu Koné double — first a right-footed finish inside the box, then a left-footed effort under the crossbar from close range — after what the article describes as probably the best 45 minutes of Gasperini's tenure. Lautaro Martinez pulled one back early in the second half from a Gianluca Mancini error on the opposition midfield, and the intensity drained from Roma's display as Inter found their rhythm. Donyell Malen had a chance to make it 3–1 when he turned sharply in the box and shot, but Martinez blocked the effort with his face. Martinez then equalised with another clinical finish typical of a top-class striker. The performance carried a message beyond the final scoreline. Roma's first-half intensity, aggression and quality suggested the club can genuinely compete with the Serie A champions — something that would not have been obvious at the start of the season. The article notes that Roma today is markedly stronger, deeper and more self-aware than last season. When Gasperini has all players fit, the squad contains match-winners: Malen has demonstrated that in recent weeks, Koné delivered it tonight, and Paulo Dybala continues to do so through his play and creativity. Dybala was again Roma's attacking brain, with every pass often creating danger through assists, openings and through-balls that turn routine moves into dangerous situations. He was one of the evening's most influential players but continues to lack goals at crucial moments — he had a couple of chances where his left foot could have settled the match definitively. The article states that for a player of his talent, the absence of goals is now the only real blemish in an otherwise extraordinary period. Leonardo Balerdi was among the best performers but was forced off with cramp. During the second half, Mancini and Mario Hermoso also departed, forcing Roma to change the entire defensive unit — a wholesale revolution that consumed substitutions that might have been deployed elsewhere to restore freshness and unpredictability to midfield and attack. Gasperini says results and objectives will take time to evaluate properly. Yet Roma have already answered one question: they can play on level terms with sides that have lived at the top for years. Three weeks follow before the next cycle begins, with Como, managed by Fabregas, arriving next — a team that has also impressed in this opening stretch of the season alongside Roma and Inter.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico, maintaining joint top place in Serie A alongside the Nerazzurri and delivering significant proof points in the 2026–27 campaign. Manu Koné scored twice in the opening forty-five minutes—his first career brace—to become the match's dominant figure. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said afterwards: "We played it on equal terms." Koné's performance carried particular weight given Inter's sustained pursuit of him over two recent transfer windows. In August 2025, Inter lodged a concrete offer to Roma for the midfielder, with Sommer and Thuram—former teammates from Germany—attempting to persuade him to move. Roma rejected those proposals and removed him from the market entirely. On the pitch against the Nerazzurri, Koné demonstrated the finishing ability his manager had long sought him to add to his existing qualities of pressing, dribbling and physical power. His opening goal came after six minutes: Inter lost possession, Paulo Dybala crossed, Nahuel Molina nodded it down, and Koné struck first time past the goalkeeper. In first-half injury time the pattern repeated—Dybala played a set-piece, Gianluca Mancini touched it on, and Koné inserted himself to fire low under the bar, initially ruled out before the VAR review stood the goal.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico, maintaining joint top place in Serie A alongside the Nerazzurri and delivering significant proof points in the 2026–27 campaign. Manu Koné scored twice in the opening forty-five minutes—his first career brace—to become the match's dominant figure. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said afterwards: "We played it on equal terms." Koné's performance carried particular weight given Inter's sustained pursuit of him over two recent transfer windows. In August 2025, Inter lodged a concrete offer to Roma for the midfielder, with Sommer and Thuram—former teammates from Germany—attempting to persuade him to move. Roma rejected those proposals and removed him from the market entirely. On the pitch against the Nerazzurri, Koné demonstrated the finishing ability his manager had long sought him to add to his existing qualities of pressing, dribbling and physical power. His opening goal came after six minutes: Inter lost possession, Paulo Dybala crossed, Nahuel Molina nodded it down, and Koné struck first time past the goalkeeper. In first-half injury time the pattern repeated—Dybala played a set-piece, Gianluca Mancini touched it on, and Koné inserted himself to fire low under the bar, initially ruled out before the VAR review stood the goal.

Manu Koné scored twice but it was not enough for Roma to beat Inter, according to ratings published by five Italian newspapers. Koné earned an 8 from Corriere dello Sport, Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo, with 8 also from Il Messaggero's match assessment, and 7.5 from La Repubblica. He shared best-in-field honours with Bryan Cristante in most outlets' evaluations. The Argentinian defenders Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina also impressed, as did Paulo Dybala, who received ratings of 7 from Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, and 6.5 from Il Messaggero and La Repubblica. Gianluca Mancini's defensive error proved decisive, allowing Lautaro to open the scoring for Inter. Mancini was universally marked down across the newspapers, receiving a 5 from Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, 5.5 from Il Messaggero and La Repubblica, and 5.5 from Il Tempo. He was substituted at the 60-minute mark. Evan N'Dicka replaced him and earned ratings between 5.5 and 6.5. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini received marks of 7, 6.5, 6.5, 6 and 6.5 respectively. Other defenders and midfielders drew mixed assessments. Mile Svilar in goal was rated 6.5 to 7.5, while Mario Hermoso, who also departed early (81 minutes), received 5 to 6. Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen both earned 6 to 6.5 marks. Wesley and Molina's departures at the 60-minute mark saw them replaced by Devyne Rensch and other squad rotation options across the newspapers' 3-4-2-1 formation analysis.

Roma will operate with a skeleton crew at Trigoria during the twenty-day international break following the draw against Inter, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having only seven first-team players available for training and preparation. The available squad members are goalkeepers Mile Svilar and Pierluigi Gollini, defenders Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina and Devyne Rensch, midfielder Marten de Roon, and forward Paulo Dybala. Dybala will take a leave of absence during the break to travel to Argentina and participate in Leo Messi's farewell international match. All other players will be away on international duty with their respective national teams. To maintain training intensity and match fitness, Gasperini will draw heavily on Roma's Primavera squad, though the youth sector has also lost several players to Italian national selections at Under 17 to Under 19 level, including Arena, Bonifazi, Giammattei and Guaglianone. The club has arranged a pair of friendly matches to keep the team sharp during the pause.