Roma vs Inter: Gasperini and Chivu name their squads

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.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in matchday 5 of Serie A, with Evan N'Dicka and Nahuel Molina in the starting lineup. Gasperini's side seek to prove themselves as genuine challengers to the league's strongest teams and break a decade of underperformance against Inter in the process. The match will be officiated by Massa of the Imperia section. It is billed as Roma's biggest test since their return to competing with the elite, with the club aiming to challenge for the top of the table and establish themselves as the true 'anti-Inter' force.

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.

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon in the fifth round of Serie A, a meeting between the league's only two teams still unbeaten. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive on four straight wins with 12 goals scored and just one conceded. Inter, the defending champions, come off a 5–3 win over Udinese and have scored 13 goals in their opening four matches. In a last-minute change, Balerdi replaces Evan N'Dicka in Roma's starting defence. Gasperini's side line up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso alongside Balerdi, and Wesley and Nahuel Molina at full-back. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchor the midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield roles and Donyell Malen leading the line. Molina wins the battle with Lulli for the right flank, and Soulé keeps his place ahead of Niccolò Pisilli. N'Dicka drops to the bench despite initially being announced in the team sheet by the club. Inter manager Cristian Chivu selects a 3–5–2 formation: Josep Martinez in goal; Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni across the back; Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones and Dimarco in midfield; and Lautaro Martinez and Thuram up front. Referee Massa (Imperia) will be in charge, with Mazzoleni on VAR.

Former Roma and Inter player Amantino Mancini has assessed Sunday's top-of-the-table clash between the two sides, saying the match will be finely balanced. Roma sit level on points with Inter after winning their first four Serie A matches, and Mancini believes both teams are genuine contenders. "The Roma are living through a wonderful moment, with four victories in the first four matchdays, and are joint top with Inter. It will be a very balanced challenge, 50-50," he told TuttoSport ahead of the 18:00 kickoff at the Olimpico. Mancini highlighted Roma's improvement compared to last season, crediting both the quality of new signings and greater mental consistency. "Roma has grown a lot in terms of technical quality, also thanks to the acquisitions made on the market. I also see greater continuity from a mental standpoint," he said. On Roma's title credentials, he added: "They have the qualities and the chances to be protagonists. Now though it will be important to find continuity and maintain this performance over time." Asked about the individual battle between Roma's Donyell Malen and Inter's Lautaro Martínez, Mancini praised both but gave the edge to the Inter forward. "It is a good challenge because they are two strong players, both physically and technically. Malen is a player of great value, but Lautaro seems a bit more consistent to me."

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.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in matchday 5 of Serie A, with Evan N'Dicka and Nahuel Molina in the starting lineup. Gasperini's side seek to prove themselves as genuine challengers to the league's strongest teams and break a decade of underperformance against Inter in the process. The match will be officiated by Massa of the Imperia section. It is billed as Roma's biggest test since their return to competing with the elite, with the club aiming to challenge for the top of the table and establish themselves as the true 'anti-Inter' force.

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.

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon in the fifth round of Serie A, a meeting between the league's only two teams still unbeaten. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive on four straight wins with 12 goals scored and just one conceded. Inter, the defending champions, come off a 5–3 win over Udinese and have scored 13 goals in their opening four matches. In a last-minute change, Balerdi replaces Evan N'Dicka in Roma's starting defence. Gasperini's side line up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso alongside Balerdi, and Wesley and Nahuel Molina at full-back. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchor the midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield roles and Donyell Malen leading the line. Molina wins the battle with Lulli for the right flank, and Soulé keeps his place ahead of Niccolò Pisilli. N'Dicka drops to the bench despite initially being announced in the team sheet by the club. Inter manager Cristian Chivu selects a 3–5–2 formation: Josep Martinez in goal; Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni across the back; Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones and Dimarco in midfield; and Lautaro Martinez and Thuram up front. Referee Massa (Imperia) will be in charge, with Mazzoleni on VAR.