Serie A Matchday 5: Roma face Inter in top-of-the-table clash

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter and emerged from the match with the knowledge they can compete with the very best in Serie A. The Giallorossi impressed for a time and a half, testing Inter thoroughly, though the Nerazzurri showed why they remain the team to beat. The draw leaves both sides able to look down on the rest of the league, at least for the next three weeks. With this result, Gasperini has guided Roma to 13 points after five matches—a record for the club over the last seven years. He has now surpassed Mourinho, Fonseca, and the De Rossi–Juric partnership, all of whom had previously shared this mark after five games. The achievement underscores the quality Gasperini is bringing to the group. Roma have found a confidence that perhaps even the club did not expect to reach this quickly. Drawing level with one of Serie A's strongest sides and leaving the pitch knowing they belonged there—rather than simply winning—carries its own weight. The international break follows, and while there is regret over dropped points, there is also a certainty growing: this Roma side can hold their own against anyone.

Leonardo Balerdi has emerged as one of this summer's most underrated signings, establishing himself as indispensable to Gasperini's Roma within three weeks of arriving in the final days of the transfer window. Two brief appearances against Atalanta and Fenerbahce were enough to convince the coach that Roma cannot function without the Argentine defender. Against Torino he was the best player on the pitch; against Inter, while Koné claimed the MVP award, Balerdi played as a wall. Despite facing opponents of increasing calibre—from Simeone to Lautaro Martínez—the former Marseille centre-back showed no drop in level. His statistics support the impression: six defensive recoveries, four duels won out of five, and two tackles won out of three before an hour of play when cramps forced his withdrawal. Gasperini's enforced substitution disrupted the manager's plans, but the coach knows he has access to a top-level centre-back. Balerdi's rapid integration has placed him at the heart of Roma's defence. Gianluca Mancini—who has made two errors already this season—and Evan N'Dicka risk losing their places should the Argentine's form continue. The Como fixture looms as the next test, and it seems unlikely Gasperini will drop him. Balerdi has settled well into the squad and wants to stay at the club. The Argentine arrived on loan with conditions to trigger a permanent transfer. If he plays at least 55% of Roma's matches across all competitions—with a minimum of 45 minutes per game, a threshold he has already met twice—an obligation to buy will activate at €14 million. A variable mechanism reduces the fee if his involvement is more limited: between 40% and 55% of matches, the obligation triggers at €11 million. A further clause protects Marseille against deliberate restrictions on his playing time in the second half of the season—if he appears in just 20% of matches in that period, the obligation becomes €9 million. Given his current performances, meeting these thresholds appears inevitable.

Roma have earned 7.5 points in their opening five matches of the 2026-27 season, establishing themselves as serious contenders. Victories over Fiorentina and Atalanta—sides representing the upper-middle tier of Serie A—plus wins against Lecce and Torino, combined with a competitive draw against Inter, paint an encouraging picture despite some regrets about how the Inter result unfolded. Mile Svilar continues as Serie A's strongest goalkeeper, providing constant assurance without being called upon for spectacular saves. Gianluca Mancini has suffered minor technical injuries against Atalanta and Inter but remains too valuable for his leadership and interpretation of the coach's attacking defensive phase, particularly evident in his display during the Torino victory. Evan N'Dicka maintains a regular standard, though he now faces genuine competition for his place. Mario Hermoso has emerged as perhaps Gasperini's most indispensable centre-back, despite occasional lapses; defenders in this system are calculated risk-takers. Leonardo Balerdi has made an instant impression with a handful of interventions, earning fans' affection with his spirit of a great South American defender and securing his status as a regular starter. Konstantinos Koulierakis is gradually introducing himself to the pitch, while Daniele Ghilardi continues his development curve. Emanuele Lulli offers freshness on the flanks, a year after failing to be a regular starter in the Primavera. Wesley, returning from injury and a difficult pre-season, has struggled to regain match sharpness after missing nearly a year; he will return to his previous standards. Bryan Cristante stands as a monument to consistency, never missing a match despite the rotation around him. Manu Koné produced a display in the first half against Inter worthy of his quality, reaching peaks never achieved before, though he lacks Cristante's reliability. Niccolò Pisilli missed much of pre-season and it shows, yet his timing in transitions remains sharp, with two goals from part-time playing. Marten de Roon has seen limited action—unsurprising given Gasperini's habit of recalling him at the last moment when tactical changes demand it. Paulo Dybala lacks goals and the signature shots that made him special, though his assists and unrecognizable fitness levels mean Gasperini receives no questions about his rest requirements. Matías Soulé, who appeared destined for departure and began on the bench, decided the clash with Atalanta and now competes as a more regular starter. Rodrigo Mora started explosively with quality, as the coach highlighted, and will reward patience. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in six matches, giving Roma a one-goal advantage on average; alongside Lautaro, he represents the tournament's finest striker. Santiago Castro, small like Malen, brings unrelenting intensity when introduced and lives for goals—once he finds that breakthrough, added serenity will carry him far.