Saturday fever: Roma prepare for Inter with confidence under Gasperini

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 Femminile will contest the Women's Cup final against Juventus at the Stadio Torquato Brescianini in Viareggio at 18:00 on Saturday 19 September, the same day the men's team faces Inter at the Olimpico in a title race clash. The competition concludes less than a week before the start of the league season, pitting two heavyweights of Italian women's football head-to-head in a rematch of last year's final, which Juventus won. Piovani's side arrive in strong form after routing Sassuolo 7–1 in the semi-final. Giugliano and her teammates will look to overturn last season's defeat and claim the trophy this time.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named 23 players for Roma's Serie A match against Inter, a fifth-round fixture taking place today at the Olimpico. Mario Hermoso returns after sustaining a minor ankle injury in recent days, and Lorenzo Pellegrini is included. Evan N'Dicka, Wesley and Manu Koné have all recovered from issues that sidelined them in recent weeks. Gasperini's squad includes goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. The defence comprises Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options are Bryan Cristante, Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The attacking players available are Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has a complete squad to choose from for this afternoon's match against Inter. The head coach regains N'Dicka, who was initially named in the squad for the trip to Torino but withdrew due to injury, and Hermoso, who recovered from a minor knock sustained during the week. Manu Koné will return to the starting line-up after appearing only as a substitute in Piedmont while managing a physical issue. The full squad list includes: Goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi, and Pierluigi Gollini; Defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli, and Daniele Ghilardi; Midfielders Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, and Rodrigo Mora; and Forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, and Paulo Dybala.

Andrea Stramaccioni, a commentator for DAZN and Rai who has managed both Roma's youth academy and Inter's first team, previewed Roma's match against Inter at the Olimpico on 19 September, kickoff 18:00, as a double ex with close knowledge of both clubs and their managers. Stramaccioni framed the fixture as significant for Roma's development. "I see two worlds I know well and two coaches who are friends and doing very well," he said. While stopping short of calling it a title decider, he noted that victory would provide "a real blow to the other side's enthusiasm." For Roma, he stressed, returning to fixtures of this magnitude offers a chance to prove their progress: "Inter are used to challenges at this level from years of competing, while for Roma it will be good to breathe this atmosphere again." He highlighted Paulo Dybala as central to the team's transformation. "It's a Roma I see mentally grown," Stramaccioni explained. "The quality jump came with Dybala's constant presence behind Malen." On Donyell Malen's seven goals in four matches, Stramaccioni attributed his explosive form to tactical deployment: "He was closed off by Watkins at Aston Villa, often played on the wing in a different system and philosophy. No one uses him as Gasperini does. Not even Koeman in the national team when he tried him as a striker. Here he plays ideally to his characteristics—he always gets the ball served vertically and following his movement. His first touch while running like a world-class player and his ability to shoot make the rest." On Inter's strength, Stramaccioni noted Simone Inzaghi's 3-5-2 formation has proved troublesome for Gasperini: "Since Inter switched to this system under Conte, then Inzaghi and now under Chivu, Gian Piero has collected four draws and ten defeats against Inter. It is no accident." He named Paulo Dybala as Roma's decisive player and Lautaro as Inter's potential match-winner. Stramaccioni's firm prediction: "For me it ends with a spectacular draw: 2-2."

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."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named 23 players for Roma's Serie A match against Inter, a fifth-round fixture taking place today at the Olimpico. Mario Hermoso returns after sustaining a minor ankle injury in recent days, and Lorenzo Pellegrini is included. Evan N'Dicka, Wesley and Manu Koné have all recovered from issues that sidelined them in recent weeks. Gasperini's squad includes goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. The defence comprises Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options are Bryan Cristante, Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The attacking players available are Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has a complete squad to choose from for this afternoon's match against Inter. The head coach regains N'Dicka, who was initially named in the squad for the trip to Torino but withdrew due to injury, and Hermoso, who recovered from a minor knock sustained during the week. Manu Koné will return to the starting line-up after appearing only as a substitute in Piedmont while managing a physical issue. The full squad list includes: Goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi, and Pierluigi Gollini; Defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli, and Daniele Ghilardi; Midfielders Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, and Rodrigo Mora; and Forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, and Paulo Dybala.

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 prepare for the Serie A title decider in the fifth round of matches, with Gian Piero Gasperini naming a complete squad for the fixture. Mario Hermoso is fully fit after recovering from a minor training injury, making all players available for selection. The match carries significance in the battle for outright league leadership. Gasperini's squad list includes all defensive options: Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield personnel comprise Cristante, Pellegrini, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named 23 players for Roma's Serie A match against Inter, a fifth-round fixture taking place today at the Olimpico. Mario Hermoso returns after sustaining a minor ankle injury in recent days, and Lorenzo Pellegrini is included. Evan N'Dicka, Wesley and Manu Koné have all recovered from issues that sidelined them in recent weeks. Gasperini's squad includes goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. The defence comprises Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options are Bryan Cristante, Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. The attacking players available are Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.