Roma vs Inter: Balerdi and Molina start in Serie A showdown

Manu Koné's first-half brace gave Roma a 2–0 lead over Inter under Gasperini, with the second goal sparking initial uncertainty before confirmation. The midfielder's second strike appeared offside when Gianluca Mancini deflected Paulo Dybala's cross, triggering immediate concern on the pitch and in the stands. VAR intervention, however, revealed that Koné was behind the ball at the moment of Mancini's touch, making the goal valid. The decision prompted wild celebration among Roma players and supporters. In the stands, Davide Orsato, the former referee now serving as match designator, decoded the action instantly—spotting the goal's legitimacy before the on-field referee Massa made the official announcement. Koné's unexpected double, and its validation, energised the giallorossi heading into the second half.

Nahuel Molina spoke to the media ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Inter, the fifth match of the season. The defender emphasised the need for continued focus in the dressing room, stating that the team must maintain their current approach for the remainder of the match. Speaking to DAZN, Molina said: "We must continue to work and play like this for 50 minutes." His comments underlined Roma's determination to sustain their performance level against their opponents.

Nahuel Molina spoke to DAZN during half-time of Roma's match against Inter. The defender expressed his team's determination to maintain their intensity through the second half, saying: "We told each other in the dressing room that we need to keep working for another 50 minutes, until the end."

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to reporters ahead of the fifth Serie A match between Roma and Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on 19 September 2026, with both sides unbeaten. On the acquisition of Leonardo Balerdi, D'Amico explained the club's reasoning and confirmed the deal's timing: "We needed to strengthen the defence with an experienced player, although he is still young. He has physical strength and pace. We have been following him for years, and in the last week we had the opportunity to acquire him on good terms as well. We are very happy. We have known him for years, we know the human values too, which are very important to us in building the squad." D'Amico stressed that Inter remain the benchmark as defending Serie A champions. "Inter is the reference team, Italian champions, strong and complete. For us it is a great motivation to test ourselves against the best," he said. When asked about the criticism surrounding Luca Percassi, D'Amico deflected focus to the immediate challenge: "In a pre-match like this, with a stadium like this, we think about enjoying this match, which will be difficult but I hope beautiful for us. We think about today and the future." On Manu Koné's recovery and availability for the fixture, D'Amico was positive: "Manu is well. We are happy with the whole squad. We know that whoever is called every Sunday always gives their contribution. After the break we will have many matches and we will need everyone. We hope Manu plays well tonight too."

Roma and Inter meet in the final fixture before the international break on 19 September, both sides unbeaten and top of Serie A on maximum points. Gasperini has announced all his players are available but is monitoring the condition of Wesley and N'Dicka, signalling that Balerdi will start; Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski drafted in to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute before kickoff to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend and Italy internationalist who died at 83 overnight. The match represents a statement game between the league's two strongest starts to the 2026-27 campaign. Roma's defensive contingencies suggest caution in their approach, while Inter's midfield reshuffle highlights their own injury burden as the window closes on the first international break of the season.

Gian Piero Gasperini made only one change in midfield for Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, selecting Matías Soulé ahead of Niccolò Pisilli in the attacking midfield role. The head coach favoured continuity against Cristian Chivu's side in matchday five, keeping the core of the team that had started the season well. The defensive line remained settled: Mile Svilar in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley operated on the flanks, while Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante held the midfield. Donyell Malen, who had been prominent in Roma's opening fixtures, led the attack, supported by Paulo Dybala and Soulé. Leonardo Balerdi dropped to the bench. Roma's starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Nahuel Molina spoke to the media ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Inter, the fifth match of the season. The defender emphasised the need for continued focus in the dressing room, stating that the team must maintain their current approach for the remainder of the match. Speaking to DAZN, Molina said: "We must continue to work and play like this for 50 minutes." His comments underlined Roma's determination to sustain their performance level against their opponents.

Nahuel Molina spoke to DAZN during half-time of Roma's match against Inter. The defender expressed his team's determination to maintain their intensity through the second half, saying: "We told each other in the dressing room that we need to keep working for another 50 minutes, until the end."

Roma and Inter meet in the final fixture before the international break on 19 September, both sides unbeaten and top of Serie A on maximum points. Gasperini has announced all his players are available but is monitoring the condition of Wesley and N'Dicka, signalling that Balerdi will start; Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski drafted in to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute before kickoff to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend and Italy internationalist who died at 83 overnight. The match represents a statement game between the league's two strongest starts to the 2026-27 campaign. Roma's defensive contingencies suggest caution in their approach, while Inter's midfield reshuffle highlights their own injury burden as the window closes on the first international break of the season.