Roma halfway through its problems

Wesley spoke to Sky Sport after Roma's draw with Inter, reflecting on a performance where his side started well but lost focus after the break. "We knew it would be tough against this Inter side—they're one of Europe's best teams and you can't afford mistakes, which unfortunately happened," the Brazilian left-back said. "We managed to execute our game plan and I'm happy with that. In the second half, though, we came out distracted, conceded two goals, and both we and they had chances to win it. We've shown we deserve to be in this league position. After the break we can't make the same mistakes again—now we need to rest." Roma drew level with Inter's attacking quality but surrendered control after half-time, conceding twice before the match finished level. Wesley stressed the squad's underlying merit despite the lapse in concentration, a concern Gian Piero Gasperini will address during the international break ahead of Roma's next fixture.

Wesley spoke after Roma's match against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico in the fifth round of Serie A. The defender acknowledged that Roma faced a difficult test against one of Europe's strongest teams and said the squad had executed their tactical plan effectively. However, he identified a critical problem in the second half. "In the second half we came onto the pitch distracted, we conceded two goals and both we and they could have scored the winning goal," Wesley said. "We have shown we deserve to be in this league position. After the break we must not make the same mistakes again, now we need to rest." Wesley emphasised that Roma had managed to demonstrate they belonged at their current standing in the table, but the lapse in concentration that led to two conceded goals represented a lesson for the team heading into the international break.

Roma's 2–2 draw with Inter at the Olimpico featured two goals each from Koné and Lautaro. The match precedes a three-week break for international fixtures, which will take many Roma players away from the club's Trigoria training ground. The squad will return to training on Monday afternoon at reduced numbers as national team commitments continue.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini said Roma should be satisfied with their performance against Inter in Serie A's fifth matchday, despite frustration at conceding an equaliser. The coach assessed the 2–2 draw as evidence of progress, noting that both teams could have won the match. "Penso che sia uscita una partita dove entrambe a un certo punto potevano vincere," he said, adding that Inter's early second-half goal shifted momentum decisively in their favour. Gasperini stressed that Roma showed character by never surrendering despite the setback, maintaining their threat throughout and creating chances even after going behind. Gasperini attributed some fatigue to the early stages of the season, noting that Manu Koné has not yet completed a full 90 minutes owing to his involvement in the World Cup. He confirmed that Gianluca Mancini was withdrawn because of cramp-related tiredness, and that Mario Hermoso was introduced to refresh the team's defensive energy. The coach acknowledged a recurring problem: conceding early in the second half for the third time this season. He described the goal as both superficial and presumptuous in how it was conceded, given Roma's commanding position beforehand. However, he praised the squad's resilience, pointing out that even at 2–1 down with several players fatigued, Roma remained engaged and fought to win. Gasperini said: "Noi dobbiamo essere contenti del percorso che stiamo facendo e anche della qualità che mettiamo in queste partite non solamente per l'entusiasmo e la voglia di fare. In questa squadra ci sono tante energie positive e dobbiamo continuare su questa strada." He noted that Roma dominated the first half both technically and physically, exploiting spaces and creating danger on the counter-attack. The coach flagged a need to rotate the squad more extensively, saying he has relied on a core block from last season to allow new players to settle. He indicated he has the confidence to introduce more players from the outset, potentially using 20 squad members across fixtures. Gasperini observed that the gap to Inter remains bridgeable, with margins for improvement existing for all teams, and stressed that Roma's physical and athletic standard is high.

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter in a match that saw strong performances from several squad members despite a difficult second half. The ratings reflected a team that dominated stretches of the first half but struggled to maintain that intensity after the interval, with errors at both ends of the pitch proving costly. Mile Svilar made an assured start with a crucial save on Bisseck after 23 minutes, using his body and positioning to deny the Inter forward. His handling remained sharp throughout the first period, though he could not prevent Lautaro's angled finish early in the second half or Inter's second goal. Bryan Cristante put in a leader's performance across midfield, covering ground, assisting, and driving Roma forward with the awareness of someone reading every moment of the match; Roberto Mancini, watching from the stands, took notes on his commanding first-half display. However, the second half saw Cristante unable to maintain that tempo alongside others. Manu Koné emerged as the standout performer with a rating of 8, entering the match with gladiatorial intensity. He silenced doubts about his finishing within five minutes and then scored or assisted twice more—once after the ball was initially ruled out before being overturned, and again dominating centrefield against Barella and Zielinski. Leonardo Balerdi received 7.5 for seemingly impossible recoveries and his ability to retrieve situations with Superman-like intervention. Gianluca Mancini, however, struggled at 5.5, losing a crucial ball early in the second half that led to Lautaro's opening goal and contributing to the confusion on Inter's second. Nahuel Molina impressed with 6.5, winning possession forcefully before delivering a perfect header to Koné. Donyell Malen offered defensive support and communication from the forward line, while Matías Soulé entered the game with growing intensity and Donyell Malen disrupted Inter's shape. Mario Hermoso brought temperament and positional discipline. Substitutes Evan N'Dicka, Niccolò Pisilli and Devyne Rensch struggled to settle into the match's demands, while Konstantinos Koulierakis appeared briefly without decisive impact. The article offers no forward-looking statement or indication of what comes next for Roma.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash, both sides arriving unbeaten after four matches and seeking to reach the first international break in first place. Gasperini has a full squad available with no absences. In defence, the established trio of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso is confirmed, with no surprise inclusion for Balerdi. Molina and Wesley operate on the flanks, Koné and Cristante patrol midfield, and Soulé lines up in the attacking three behind Malen, with Dybala in support. Roma field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back, Molina and Wesley as wing-backs, Cristante and Koné in central midfield, Soulé and Dybala in the attacking midfield positions, and Malen as the lead forward. On the bench are Gollini, De Marzi, Ghilardi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Lulli, Pisilli, Pellegrini, de Roon, Castro and Mora. Inter deploy a 3-5-2 with Martinez, Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni in defence, Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones and Dimarco in midfield, and Lautaro Martinez and Thuram in attack.

Santiago Castro has praised the atmosphere at Roma ahead of tomorrow's match against Inter, saying the coach creates an environment where every player feels valued. Speaking to DAZN hours before kick-off, the 21-year-old Argentine highlighted the quality of his teammates and Gasperini's man-management approach. "With him you never feel like a reserve or a starter," Castro said. "You always have to be ready, always at your best, both in training and in matches. That's really important and I think it makes all the players feel good." Castro, who joined Roma from Bologna, drew a contrast between the two clubs' squads. "When you arrive at a team like Roma you find players in front of you like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived. We have many high-level players," he explained. "At Bologna I found many quality players too, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because I can take something from every teammate and always learn." He singled out Dybala and Malen for special praise, describing them as players who impress fans every week but reveal far more in daily training. "Paulo has a left foot that few people have. I think he's one of the best left-footed players in Italy's history, even at world level," Castro said. "From Donyell you have to take that meanness to go and score goals, the cunning, the movements he has and then the shot, which is crazy." Gasperini's tactical demands on Castro focus on positioning and team play. "The main thing the manager asks me is to always keep my body facing the goal, not to always play with my back to goal because that way I'm not dangerous," Castro explained. "He asks me to always be in the match, to attack, to play for the team. For him it's important to score goals, but also to give an assist, because that's something that helps the team and gives a great hand to everyone." Castro also reflected on his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta, calling it "a moment of great pride" and crediting the fans for their support during the match. On Inter's challenge, Castro acknowledged the quality of both squads. "It will always be difficult to face teams with this type of players, because they also, like us, have world-class players and big names," he said. "It will be a beautiful match to watch from outside: a hot stadium, two teams that arrive well, with the same points, many goals scored and few conceded. It will definitely be nice to see." Roma and Inter sit level on points after four matches. Castro also praised Lautaro Martinez as "a very strong player" and captain of one of Italy's biggest teams.

Santiago Castro has given his first substantial interview since joining Roma, speaking to DAZN about his early weeks at the club, his relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and the quality of his fellow attackers. The 21-year-old Argentine striker, who arrived this summer from Bologna, reflected on the step up in class and the challenge of competing with established forwards in the Giallorossi squad. Castro highlighted the calibre of his new teammates, naming Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora as examples of the standard he now faces daily. He said: "Sì, certo. Quando arrivi in una squadra come la Roma ti trovi davanti giocatori come Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé e adesso è arrivato anche Rodrigo Mora." On training alongside Dybala and Malen, he remarked: "Paulo e Donyell sono giocatori che impressionano i tifosi ogni settimana e noi che li vediamo ogni giorno. Noi che ci alleniamo con loro vediamo cose che sembrano appartenere a un altro sport." He praised Dybala's left foot as among the finest in Italy and the world, and commended Malen's aggression, movement and shooting ability. Gasperini's management style has impressed Castro, who said the coach emphasizes constant readiness over any hierarchy of starting players. "Con lui non ti senti mai una riserva o un titolare: devi sempre essere pronto, sempre al massimo, sia in allenamento sia in partita," Castro explained. The striker also recalled his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta as a proud moment at age 21, noting the warmth of the crowd as a powerful motivator. He expressed respect for Inter's Lautaro Martinez ahead of the upcoming fixture, describing him as "un grandissimo giocatore, molto forte" and noting his consistency in Serie A and leadership of one of Italy's biggest clubs. Castro also touched on the group atmosphere at Roma, mentioning the presence of several Argentine players and praising the cohesion with staff and international teammates alike. On wearing the number 9 shirt, he said: "È bello pensare a tutti i giocatori che hanno avuto la numero 9 nella Roma. Sono stati tanti e hanno fatto tantissime cose importanti, come Balbo e altri grandi attaccanti. Io spero solamente di riuscire a fare anche solo una piccola parte di quello che hanno fatto loro."

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 in a match that saw strong performances from several squad members despite a difficult second half. The ratings reflected a team that dominated stretches of the first half but struggled to maintain that intensity after the interval, with errors at both ends of the pitch proving costly. Mile Svilar made an assured start with a crucial save on Bisseck after 23 minutes, using his body and positioning to deny the Inter forward. His handling remained sharp throughout the first period, though he could not prevent Lautaro's angled finish early in the second half or Inter's second goal. Bryan Cristante put in a leader's performance across midfield, covering ground, assisting, and driving Roma forward with the awareness of someone reading every moment of the match; Roberto Mancini, watching from the stands, took notes on his commanding first-half display. However, the second half saw Cristante unable to maintain that tempo alongside others. Manu Koné emerged as the standout performer with a rating of 8, entering the match with gladiatorial intensity. He silenced doubts about his finishing within five minutes and then scored or assisted twice more—once after the ball was initially ruled out before being overturned, and again dominating centrefield against Barella and Zielinski. Leonardo Balerdi received 7.5 for seemingly impossible recoveries and his ability to retrieve situations with Superman-like intervention. Gianluca Mancini, however, struggled at 5.5, losing a crucial ball early in the second half that led to Lautaro's opening goal and contributing to the confusion on Inter's second. Nahuel Molina impressed with 6.5, winning possession forcefully before delivering a perfect header to Koné. Donyell Malen offered defensive support and communication from the forward line, while Matías Soulé entered the game with growing intensity and Donyell Malen disrupted Inter's shape. Mario Hermoso brought temperament and positional discipline. Substitutes Evan N'Dicka, Niccolò Pisilli and Devyne Rensch struggled to settle into the match's demands, while Konstantinos Koulierakis appeared briefly without decisive impact. The article offers no forward-looking statement or indication of what comes next for Roma.

Roma surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico, a result that leaves both teams tied on 13 points at the top of Serie A. Manu Koné fired Roma ahead inside five minutes with a powerful right-foot finish after a move involving Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, then doubled the lead at the 37th-minute mark with a tap-in after Dybala's cross found Gianluca Mancini, whose attempted header inadvertently provided the assist. The opener came from a Dybala change of play to Molina down the right, with the Argentine full-back providing the cross for Koné to strike low past Lautaro Martinez. The first half saw Roma completely dominate proceedings, with numerous chances created through Dybala, Donyell Malen and Wesley, while Mile Svilar made a crucial early save from a Bisseck chance. After an explosive opening, Inter began pressing late in the half and created several opportunities, including a free header for Lautaro that went wide. The second half began badly for Gasperini's side when Lautaro struck within 50 seconds of the restart, punishing Roma's poor transition and reentry from the dressing room. Gasperini responded with visible frustration, striking the bench after the goal, and gradually Roma regained control through systematic substitutions. Donyell Malen came close to a third goal at the 68th minute when he produced an extraordinary turn in the box but Martinez made an outstanding save with his face. Koné was withdrawn along with Mancini and Molina, replaced by Niccolò Pisilli, Evan N'Dicka and Devyne Rensch. Balerdi was later substituted due to cramp, with Daniele Ghilardi taking his place. Inter continued applying pressure, and at the 80th-minute mark constructed a period of sustained attack during which Svilar saved a Bisseck header and Luis Henrique struck the crossbar before Lautaro finished a goalmouth scramble with a clinical volley after controlling with his thigh. The Argentine captain's second goal levelled the match at 2–2 and meant both sides ended with a point apiece after a contest played at intense pace throughout. The stadium observed a minute of respect and prolonged applause before kickoff to honour Sandro Mazzola, who died the day before. Gasperini deployed Svilar in goal with Mancini, Mario Hermoso and Leonardo Balerdi as defenders; Wesley and Molina worked the full-back roles with Bryan Cristante and Koné in midfield; Soulé, Malen and Dybala formed the forward line. Inter introduced Sucic and Carlos Augusto in place of Jones and Dimarco shortly before the hour, with Gasperini subsequently withdrawing Koné, Mancini and Molina. Late defensive changes saw Hermoso replaced by Konstantinos Koulierakis as Roma managed the closing stages. Roma and Inter remain level on 13 points at the summit following a fixture that matched the intensity and quality of a title-deciding clash despite finishing level.