Roma v Inter: Balerdi in contention to face Hermoso, Soulé-Pisilli doubt ahead of Serie A clash

Roma and Inter meet on Saturday 19 September 2026 in a Serie A fixture billed as the competition's flagship match, with both sides unbeaten and on maximum points so far this season. The match takes place at the Olimpico before the international break. Gasperini has announced that all his squad members are available for selection, but is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and Evan N'Dicka, suggesting Leonardo Balerdi will start in defence. Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski set to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute to Sandro Mazzola before kick-off. The Inter and Italy legend died at 83 during the night.

Roma will host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, with gates opening at 15:30. The club advises supporters to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Tickets and season passes are valid only in digital format; screenshots will not grant access. Services for disabled supporters, the Quiet Room and the secondary ticketing reporting form remain active. The match will be Roma's 81st sold-out fixture of the Friedkin era, with approximately 68,000 spectators and 3,500 Inter supporters in the visiting section. The Curva Sud is preparing a new choreography, and media accreditation has reached over 400. Ryan Friedkin is expected at the stadium, preceded in the capital by Ed Shipley. Roma have several tactical decisions to finalize: Leonardo Balerdi could challenge both Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka for a defensive place, while Emanuele Lulli leads Nahuel Molina on the left flank. Manu Koné returns as a starter in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are fixed in attack, with Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli competing for the remaining forward spot. Former Roma player Giuseppe Giannini previewed the fixture, saying: "Inter are still ahead, but this Roma can compete." On Gasperini's tenure, Giannini stated: "Gasperini and Roma: the right pairing." He cautioned on the title race: "It is too soon, but a victory would be an important signal. Arriving at the international break with a perfect record would be uplifting."

Roma and Inter meet not only as Serie A rivals but also as clubs whose combined squad value totals €1.429 billion according to Football Benchmark's latest estimates, updated in September after the close of the summer transfer window. Inter's squad is valued at €829 million against Roma's €600 million—a 38 per cent gap that nonetheless reveals Roma as far closer to the Milan club in sporting assets than overall club valuations suggest. The standout figure is Roma's trajectory over the past two seasons. The squad value fell to a low of €372 million in 2024, but has since climbed to €434 million in 2025 and €600 million in 2026—a rise of over €220 million in just two years. Football Benchmark attributes this surge to two drivers: the work of Gian Piero Gasperini in returning Roma to the Champions League and enhancing the squad's profile, and the Friedkin Group's investment in the transfer market. The highest-valued Roma players illustrate both developments. Manu Koné tops the list at €64 million, followed by Donyell Malen at €58 million and Wesley at €52 million. Two of the summer's major acquisitions, Rodrigo Mora (€51 million) and Santiago Castro (€44 million), sit close behind. Academy graduate Niccolò Pisilli is valued at €40 million, underscoring the club's youth development impact on its asset base. Paulo Dybala, despite his technical weight, is estimated at only €7 million—a valuation shaped primarily by his age of 32 and a contract renewed for a single season. Football Benchmark's model considers age, position, contract expiry, individual performance, international appearances, disciplinary record, and commercial appeal. Inter's squad value has grown more steadily, rising from €610 million in 2022 to €829 million today, gaining €131 million in the past year alone. The field will decide the match itself later; the market, meanwhile, signals that the distance between Roma and Inter has narrowed considerably.

Roma face Inter in a Serie A showdown on matchday five this evening. Italian newspapers have published their predicted starting line-ups for the fixture, with several variations across the back line and forward positions. The Corriere dello Sport predict a back four of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso, with Lulli in a full-back role, alongside midfield regulars Cristante and Koné, and Wesley at left-back. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo both feature Balerdi in defence alongside Mancini and Hermoso, with Soulé among the attacking options. The Messaggero and Corriere della Sera instead deploy Pisilli in an advanced role. Mile Svilar is expected in goal across all predicted line-ups. Donyell Malen features prominently as a forward option in every formation, while Paulo Dybala is tipped to lead the attack. Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Wesley appear constant across midfield and left-back in all predictions.

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico this evening at 18:00 in a title-decider that comes before the international break spanning late September and October. Victory would allow Roma to seize or maintain sole leadership for three weeks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has his full squad available for the first time this season, though final team selection remains to be confirmed. The major Italian newspapers have published eight different predicted lineups reflecting uncertainty over key decisions. Most forecasts favour a 3-4-2-1 shape, but alternatives include 3-4-1-2. The core defence across most predictions features Svilar in goal and Mancini at centre-back, with varying combinations of N'Dicka, Hermoso and Balerdi as partners. Wesley, Lulli and Molina appear as full-back options, while Cristante and Koné are favoured in midfield. Dybala is widely expected to feature in an attacking role, with Soulé, Pisilli and Malen competing for supporting spots alongside him. Gazzetta dello Sport predicts 3-4-2-1 with Balerdi and Hermoso in defence and Dybala and Soulé behind Malen. Corriere dello Sport suggests 3-4-1-2 with N'Dicka and Hermoso with Dybala and Malen paired in attack. Il Messaggero and Il Tempo both propose N'Dicka and Balerdi with either Soulé or Pisilli as creators. Leggo and La Repubblica offer variations with Molina and Hermoso respectively. Tuttosport's 3-4-2-1 sees Pisilli and Dybala in the two behind Malen.

Gian Piero Gasperini plans to field Niccolò Pisilli in midfield for Roma's match against Inter at the Olimpico, continuing his stated philosophy of selecting players based on individual condition rather than preset hierarchies. Pisilli, who has scored twice this season, will compete with Matías Soulé for a starting place on the attacking midfield line alongside Paulo Dybala. Manu Koné is set to return to the starting XI after being benched on Monday, pairing with Bryan Cristante in the centre of the pitch. On the flanks, Wesley is expected to operate on the left wing despite Gasperini's earlier consideration of deploying him on the right to face Dimarco directly; Emanuele Lulli will occupy the right side instead. The defence faces uncertainty over Mario Hermoso's availability. The Spanish defender's ankle pain has subsided and he trained with the squad the previous day, but Roma's medical staff may opt for precaution and keep him on the bench initially. Leonardo Balerdi, among Roma's standout performers so far this season, is ready to deputise and can play either as a central defender or on the left of the back line. Mile Svilar will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka completing the defensive unit.

Roma face Inter in a Serie A showdown on matchday five this evening. Italian newspapers have published their predicted starting line-ups for the fixture, with several variations across the back line and forward positions. The Corriere dello Sport predict a back four of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso, with Lulli in a full-back role, alongside midfield regulars Cristante and Koné, and Wesley at left-back. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo both feature Balerdi in defence alongside Mancini and Hermoso, with Soulé among the attacking options. The Messaggero and Corriere della Sera instead deploy Pisilli in an advanced role. Mile Svilar is expected in goal across all predicted line-ups. Donyell Malen features prominently as a forward option in every formation, while Paulo Dybala is tipped to lead the attack. Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Wesley appear constant across midfield and left-back in all predictions.

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico this evening at 18:00 in a title-decider that comes before the international break spanning late September and October. Victory would allow Roma to seize or maintain sole leadership for three weeks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has his full squad available for the first time this season, though final team selection remains to be confirmed. The major Italian newspapers have published eight different predicted lineups reflecting uncertainty over key decisions. Most forecasts favour a 3-4-2-1 shape, but alternatives include 3-4-1-2. The core defence across most predictions features Svilar in goal and Mancini at centre-back, with varying combinations of N'Dicka, Hermoso and Balerdi as partners. Wesley, Lulli and Molina appear as full-back options, while Cristante and Koné are favoured in midfield. Dybala is widely expected to feature in an attacking role, with Soulé, Pisilli and Malen competing for supporting spots alongside him. Gazzetta dello Sport predicts 3-4-2-1 with Balerdi and Hermoso in defence and Dybala and Soulé behind Malen. Corriere dello Sport suggests 3-4-1-2 with N'Dicka and Hermoso with Dybala and Malen paired in attack. Il Messaggero and Il Tempo both propose N'Dicka and Balerdi with either Soulé or Pisilli as creators. Leggo and La Repubblica offer variations with Molina and Hermoso respectively. Tuttosport's 3-4-2-1 sees Pisilli and Dybala in the two behind Malen.

Roma face Inter at the Olimpico this evening at 18:00 in a summit meeting that will see the winners occupy the top of the Serie A table alone for three weeks. The match falls before the international break that straddles September and October. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has a fully fit squad for the first time this season, though selection dilemmas remain in defence. Mario Hermoso's condition is uncertain and he could be replaced by Leonardo Balerdi; however, Balerdi himself may lose out to Evan N'Dicka on the left side. On the left flank, Emanuele Lulli is in front of Nahuel Molina, while Wesley occupies the right. Manu Koné returns to the starting midfield after time out, and one of Matías Soulé or Niccolò Pisilli will operate alongside Paulo Dybala and behind Donyell Malen. The major Italian newspapers have offered their predicted lineups. La Gazzetta dello Sport lines up 3-4-2-1 with Hermoso and Balerdi in defence alongside Gianluca Mancini, and Soulé in support. Corriere dello Sport switches to 3-4-1-2 with N'Dicka replacing Balerdi and Soulé the sole attacking midfielder. Il Messaggero's 3-4-2-1 includes both Balerdi and N'Dicka, with Pisilli preferred to Soulé. Il Tempo and Corriere della Sera follow the same formation with identical choices: N'Dicka and Balerdi in defence, though Corriere della Sera names Pisilli rather than Soulé. Leggo reverts to 3-4-1-2, bringing Molina into the left-back slot and retaining Hermoso. La Repubblica keeps Molina on the left in a 3-4-2-1. Tuttosport uses 3-4-2-1 with Hermoso and N'Dicka in defence, Lulli at left-back, and Pisilli joining Dybala in the attacking line.

Roma and Inter meet on Saturday 19 September 2026 in a Serie A fixture billed as the competition's flagship match, with both sides unbeaten and on maximum points so far this season. The match takes place at the Olimpico before the international break. Gasperini has announced that all his squad members are available for selection, but is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and Evan N'Dicka, suggesting Leonardo Balerdi will start in defence. Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski set to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute to Sandro Mazzola before kick-off. The Inter and Italy legend died at 83 during the night.

Roma will host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, with gates opening at 15:30. The club advises supporters to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Tickets and season passes are valid only in digital format; screenshots will not grant access. Services for disabled supporters, the Quiet Room and the secondary ticketing reporting form remain active. The match will be Roma's 81st sold-out fixture of the Friedkin era, with approximately 68,000 spectators and 3,500 Inter supporters in the visiting section. The Curva Sud is preparing a new choreography, and media accreditation has reached over 400. Ryan Friedkin is expected at the stadium, preceded in the capital by Ed Shipley. Roma have several tactical decisions to finalize: Leonardo Balerdi could challenge both Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka for a defensive place, while Emanuele Lulli leads Nahuel Molina on the left flank. Manu Koné returns as a starter in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are fixed in attack, with Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli competing for the remaining forward spot. Former Roma player Giuseppe Giannini previewed the fixture, saying: "Inter are still ahead, but this Roma can compete." On Gasperini's tenure, Giannini stated: "Gasperini and Roma: the right pairing." He cautioned on the title race: "It is too soon, but a victory would be an important signal. Arriving at the international break with a perfect record would be uplifting."

Roma face Inter in a Serie A showdown on matchday five this evening. Italian newspapers have published their predicted starting line-ups for the fixture, with several variations across the back line and forward positions. The Corriere dello Sport predict a back four of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso, with Lulli in a full-back role, alongside midfield regulars Cristante and Koné, and Wesley at left-back. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo both feature Balerdi in defence alongside Mancini and Hermoso, with Soulé among the attacking options. The Messaggero and Corriere della Sera instead deploy Pisilli in an advanced role. Mile Svilar is expected in goal across all predicted line-ups. Donyell Malen features prominently as a forward option in every formation, while Paulo Dybala is tipped to lead the attack. Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Wesley appear constant across midfield and left-back in all predictions.