Roma vs Inter: Balerdi set to start, Molina and Lulli in contention

Serie A reaches its fifth matchday with Roma's home clash against Inter on Saturday at 18:00 as the standout fixture of the round. The two sides occupy the top of the table and will face off in a direct confrontation at the Stadio Olimpico. Fiorentina's trip to Napoli and Atalanta's match against Juventus also promise to be particularly compelling encounters. The full programme of fixtures and results across the weekend are set out in the matchday schedule.

Roma and Inter meet in a Serie A heavyweight clash on the final fixture before the international break, both sides unbeaten and among the form teams of the season's opening weeks. Gasperini is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and N'Dicka ahead of the match, with Leonardo Balerdi set to start in their absence, while Mario Hermoso's injury concern has eased. Inter boss Chivu will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, forcing Akanji and Zielinski into their places.

Roma and Inter face off at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash before the international break, both sides arriving with four wins from four matches. The Giallorossi and Nerazzurri sit level on points at the summit of Serie A, setting up a title-deciding fixture with major implications for the season. Over 60,000 spectators are expected at the Olimpico, with gates opening from 15:30. The match represents a crucial early test in what could prove a defining stretch of the campaign. Gasperini has acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, stating: "Inter are stronger, but we will try." Leonardo Balerdi is set to start in defence, with a tactical battle brewing between the two sides over the 90 minutes. The fixture will be decided before the domestic calendar halts for the international window, making it a significant opportunity for Roma to establish themselves as genuine title contenders against one of Serie A's heavyweight sides.

Roma and Inter meet in a Serie A heavyweight clash on the final fixture before the international break, both sides unbeaten and among the form teams of the season's opening weeks. Gasperini is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and N'Dicka ahead of the match, with Leonardo Balerdi set to start in their absence, while Mario Hermoso's injury concern has eased. Inter boss Chivu will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, forcing Akanji and Zielinski into their places.

Roma and Inter face off at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash before the international break, both sides arriving with four wins from four matches. The Giallorossi and Nerazzurri sit level on points at the summit of Serie A, setting up a title-deciding fixture with major implications for the season. Over 60,000 spectators are expected at the Olimpico, with gates opening from 15:30. The match represents a crucial early test in what could prove a defining stretch of the campaign. Gasperini has acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, stating: "Inter are stronger, but we will try." Leonardo Balerdi is set to start in defence, with a tactical battle brewing between the two sides over the 90 minutes. The fixture will be decided before the domestic calendar halts for the international window, making it a significant opportunity for Roma to establish themselves as genuine title contenders against one of Serie A's heavyweight sides.

Roma face Inter on Saturday at 18:00 at the Olimpico in a match that could see the winner hold top spot for the three-week international break. More than 60,000 spectators are expected, with stadium gates opening at 15:30. Five months after Inter's 5–2 victory at San Siro, the clubs meet again with Roma transformed under Gasperini's management. While enthusiasm surrounds the capital, Inter's atmosphere differs markedly — Chivu did not attend the pre-match press conference. Gasperini was direct about the task ahead. "Inter are clearly much stronger and are a reference point for all Italian teams, but Roma will try to insert themselves," he said. The coach also offered a sharp comment on referee Massa's appointment: "He will be perfect." Roma are expected to line up in their usual 3–4–2–1 formation, with Balerdi potentially starting in defence ahead of N'Dicka or Hermoso. On the right flank, a battle remains between Molina and Lulli. Inter will be without Calhanoglu, Stones and Spence, with midfield and right-flank positions still to be decided. Meanwhile, Como manager Fabregas weighed in on the top tier: "They are the strongest; they are not direct rivals of Como." Among the squad, both Ghilardi and Lulli earned their first international call-ups for Italy.

Roma and Inter meet in a Serie A heavyweight clash on the final fixture before the international break, both sides unbeaten and among the form teams of the season's opening weeks. Gasperini is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and N'Dicka ahead of the match, with Leonardo Balerdi set to start in their absence, while Mario Hermoso's injury concern has eased. Inter boss Chivu will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, forcing Akanji and Zielinski into their places.

Roma face Inter on Saturday at 18:00 at the Olimpico in a match that could see the winner hold top spot for the three-week international break. More than 60,000 spectators are expected, with stadium gates opening at 15:30. Five months after Inter's 5–2 victory at San Siro, the clubs meet again with Roma transformed under Gasperini's management. While enthusiasm surrounds the capital, Inter's atmosphere differs markedly — Chivu did not attend the pre-match press conference. Gasperini was direct about the task ahead. "Inter are clearly much stronger and are a reference point for all Italian teams, but Roma will try to insert themselves," he said. The coach also offered a sharp comment on referee Massa's appointment: "He will be perfect." Roma are expected to line up in their usual 3–4–2–1 formation, with Balerdi potentially starting in defence ahead of N'Dicka or Hermoso. On the right flank, a battle remains between Molina and Lulli. Inter will be without Calhanoglu, Stones and Spence, with midfield and right-flank positions still to be decided. Meanwhile, Como manager Fabregas weighed in on the top tier: "They are the strongest; they are not direct rivals of Como." Among the squad, both Ghilardi and Lulli earned their first international call-ups for Italy.

Leonardo Balerdi is expected to start in defence for Roma's match against Inter, taking a place ahead of either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso. Wesley will operate on the left, while Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala are set to play behind Donyell Malen in the forward line. A battle between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli remains unresolved ahead of the fixture. Gasperini said of the challenge: "Inter nettamente più forte, ma proveremo a inserirci. Massa? Sarà perfetto" (Inter are markedly stronger, but we will try to insert ourselves. Massa will be perfect). The match at the Olimpico is expected to draw over 60,000 supporters, with gates opening from 15:30.

Roma and Inter meet in a Serie A heavyweight clash on the final fixture before the international break, both sides unbeaten and among the form teams of the season's opening weeks. Gasperini is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and N'Dicka ahead of the match, with Leonardo Balerdi set to start in their absence, while Mario Hermoso's injury concern has eased. Inter boss Chivu will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, forcing Akanji and Zielinski into their places.

Roma face Inter on Saturday at 18:00 at the Olimpico in a match that could see the winner hold top spot for the three-week international break. More than 60,000 spectators are expected, with stadium gates opening at 15:30. Five months after Inter's 5–2 victory at San Siro, the clubs meet again with Roma transformed under Gasperini's management. While enthusiasm surrounds the capital, Inter's atmosphere differs markedly — Chivu did not attend the pre-match press conference. Gasperini was direct about the task ahead. "Inter are clearly much stronger and are a reference point for all Italian teams, but Roma will try to insert themselves," he said. The coach also offered a sharp comment on referee Massa's appointment: "He will be perfect." Roma are expected to line up in their usual 3–4–2–1 formation, with Balerdi potentially starting in defence ahead of N'Dicka or Hermoso. On the right flank, a battle remains between Molina and Lulli. Inter will be without Calhanoglu, Stones and Spence, with midfield and right-flank positions still to be decided. Meanwhile, Como manager Fabregas weighed in on the top tier: "They are the strongest; they are not direct rivals of Como." Among the squad, both Ghilardi and Lulli earned their first international call-ups for Italy.

Leonardo Balerdi is expected to start in defence for Roma's match against Inter, taking a place ahead of either Evan N'Dicka or Mario Hermoso. Wesley will operate on the left, while Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala are set to play behind Donyell Malen in the forward line. A battle between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli remains unresolved ahead of the fixture. Gasperini said of the challenge: "Inter nettamente più forte, ma proveremo a inserirci. Massa? Sarà perfetto" (Inter are markedly stronger, but we will try to insert ourselves. Massa will be perfect). The match at the Olimpico is expected to draw over 60,000 supporters, with gates opening from 15:30.