Stramaccioni expects spectacular 2-2 draw as Roma show mental growth under Gasperini

Roma legend Giuseppe Giannini has urged the side to embrace the challenge of facing Inter at the top of the table, believing they can rise to the occasion. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Giannini acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture but called for Roma to play with enthusiasm and without hesitation at this early stage of the season. "A defeat wouldn't compromise anything and a draw would be positive," he said. "But I expect the usual Roma, with the structure the coach has given them." Asked whether a win against Inter would justify talk of a title dream, Giannini cautioned against premature optimism but stressed the symbolic importance of three points. He noted the progress Roma have made following last season, which he described as a bedding-in year that ended with third place. "All have noticed Roma's growth," Giannini explained. "Three points would be a further confirmation and would also help external perception: reaching the break on a perfect record would be exhilarating."

Roma and Inter meet not only as Serie A rivals but also as clubs whose combined squad value totals €1.429 billion according to Football Benchmark's latest estimates, updated in September after the close of the summer transfer window. Inter's squad is valued at €829 million against Roma's €600 million—a 38 per cent gap that nonetheless reveals Roma as far closer to the Milan club in sporting assets than overall club valuations suggest. The standout figure is Roma's trajectory over the past two seasons. The squad value fell to a low of €372 million in 2024, but has since climbed to €434 million in 2025 and €600 million in 2026—a rise of over €220 million in just two years. Football Benchmark attributes this surge to two drivers: the work of Gian Piero Gasperini in returning Roma to the Champions League and enhancing the squad's profile, and the Friedkin Group's investment in the transfer market. The highest-valued Roma players illustrate both developments. Manu Koné tops the list at €64 million, followed by Donyell Malen at €58 million and Wesley at €52 million. Two of the summer's major acquisitions, Rodrigo Mora (€51 million) and Santiago Castro (€44 million), sit close behind. Academy graduate Niccolò Pisilli is valued at €40 million, underscoring the club's youth development impact on its asset base. Paulo Dybala, despite his technical weight, is estimated at only €7 million—a valuation shaped primarily by his age of 32 and a contract renewed for a single season. Football Benchmark's model considers age, position, contract expiry, individual performance, international appearances, disciplinary record, and commercial appeal. Inter's squad value has grown more steadily, rising from €610 million in 2022 to €829 million today, gaining €131 million in the past year alone. The field will decide the match itself later; the market, meanwhile, signals that the distance between Roma and Inter has narrowed considerably.

Roma legend Giuseppe Giannini has said the club can challenge Inter at the top of Serie A, but cautioned against premature talk of a title push. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Giannini acknowledged that Inter remain the stronger force. "Inter are still ahead, but this Roma can compete," he said. "There is still a gap between the two squads. That is why Roma will have to play with enthusiasm and without worries. We are only at the start of the season. A defeat would not compromise anything and a draw would be positive. But I expect the usual Roma, with the shape the coach has given them." On whether a victory over Inter would justify talk of a championship challenge, Giannini was measured: "Too soon, but it would be an important signal. Everyone has noticed Roma's growth after last season, which was a settling-in year but ended with an important third-place finish. Three points would be a further confirmation and would also help external perception: arriving at the international break with a full points tally would be exciting."

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 previewed Roma's match against Inter at the Olimpico on 19 September at 18:00, framing it as a showcase fixture between two in-form sides rather than a title-decider at the fifth round of fixtures. "It's not a scudetto clash at the fifth matchday, but it's certainly a fine event and a fine match between two squads that are doing well and playing well, producing important results," Gasperini said. "It should be taken as a beautiful game with a great crowd and plenty of enthusiasm around it." The Roma boss credited the team's strong seasonal start to the intensity of last season's campaign, which ended on a high note. "Our squad is one that's been sharpened by a very intense season we had last year, which ended with a finale full of satisfaction. We started with something of an advantage over other teams that had to change a lot," he explained. He reflected on Inter's 5–2 victory over Roma and the response that followed: "There was a massive reaction. Usually when you lose like that there isn't one. After a good first half there was a surrender in the second. At that point you either let yourself go or react in the best way, and that's what Roma did. There was a great reaction and great conviction, a search to reach a target that seemed very far away and that we managed to reach with great consistency." Gasperini acknowledged Inter's standing in Italian football, saying they remain "a reference point for all the other squads trying to move up and get closer." On Paulo Dybala's form, he noted: "It's a great aspect. Perhaps for a few years he hasn't managed to have this consistency of performance and condition, not just quality. He's a champion recovered for our football." Asked about young defender Emanuele Lulli, Gasperini declined early comparisons to elite names, saying: "I don't launch young players to make discounts or to shorten someone's career. I do it because it's their merit. I limit myself to looking and deciding based on what I see." On fan expectations, Gasperini said: "No, those are more media requests. Right now I see fans satisfied and for us that's a great achievement. Giving them satisfaction and making them feel part of and proud of their own squad is our objective."

Roma will host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, with gates opening at 15:30. The club advises supporters to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Tickets and season passes are valid only in digital format; screenshots will not grant access. Services for disabled supporters, the Quiet Room and the secondary ticketing reporting form remain active. The match will be Roma's 81st sold-out fixture of the Friedkin era, with approximately 68,000 spectators and 3,500 Inter supporters in the visiting section. The Curva Sud is preparing a new choreography, and media accreditation has reached over 400. Ryan Friedkin is expected at the stadium, preceded in the capital by Ed Shipley. Roma have several tactical decisions to finalize: Leonardo Balerdi could challenge both Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka for a defensive place, while Emanuele Lulli leads Nahuel Molina on the left flank. Manu Koné returns as a starter in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are fixed in attack, with Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli competing for the remaining forward spot. Former Roma player Giuseppe Giannini previewed the fixture, saying: "Inter are still ahead, but this Roma can compete." On Gasperini's tenure, Giannini stated: "Gasperini and Roma: the right pairing." He cautioned on the title race: "It is too soon, but a victory would be an important signal. Arriving at the international break with a perfect record would be uplifting."

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.

Roma will host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, with gates opening at 15:30. The club advises supporters to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Tickets and season passes are valid only in digital format; screenshots will not grant access. Services for disabled supporters, the Quiet Room and the secondary ticketing reporting form remain active. The match will be Roma's 81st sold-out fixture of the Friedkin era, with approximately 68,000 spectators and 3,500 Inter supporters in the visiting section. The Curva Sud is preparing a new choreography, and media accreditation has reached over 400. Ryan Friedkin is expected at the stadium, preceded in the capital by Ed Shipley. Roma have several tactical decisions to finalize: Leonardo Balerdi could challenge both Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka for a defensive place, while Emanuele Lulli leads Nahuel Molina on the left flank. Manu Koné returns as a starter in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are fixed in attack, with Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli competing for the remaining forward spot. Former Roma player Giuseppe Giannini previewed the fixture, saying: "Inter are still ahead, but this Roma can compete." On Gasperini's tenure, Giannini stated: "Gasperini and Roma: the right pairing." He cautioned on the title race: "It is too soon, but a victory would be an important signal. Arriving at the international break with a perfect record would be uplifting."

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico at 18:00 today in the fifth round of Serie A, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side taking on Cristian Chivu's Inter in a full house. A handful of selection questions remain unresolved just hours before kickoff, particularly in defence and the attacking midfield positions. Mile Svilar will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka expected to form a defensive pairing. The main uncertainty centres on the third defender: Leonardo Balerdi, who produced an excellent display in Turin, may displace Mario Hermoso. With Emanuele Lulli operating on the right and Wesley on the left, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné appear set for central midfield duties, with the Frenchman available after recent physical problems. The principal dilemma concerns the role behind Donyell Malen, the Serie A leading scorer with six goals. Paulo Dybala is expected to start alongside the striker, while the second attacking midfield spot is contested between Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli. Soulé would provide greater offensive quality, whereas Pisilli offers Gasperini a different tactical solution through his positioning, running off the ball and pressing intensity. Roma's probable XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.