Stramaccioni: Gap between Roma and Inter has narrowed

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has praised the form of the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out Donyell Malen for particular acclaim. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former captain said many in Serie A now regard Malen as the strongest player in the league. "They are right—I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. "When he gets the ball he turns immediately and comes at you. Then he is fast and he sees the goal." Aldair believes Roma have improved substantially from last season and can challenge Inter for the title. "Roma is better than last season, they are well physically and mentally and always arrive first to the ball," he said. "Yes, they can fight all the way to the end with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench." He identified Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in the defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency. He also highlighted Leonardo Balerdi, noting that Gasperini's system demands an intense high pressing throughout matches. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult—no one can maintain that type of pressure all over the pitch for the entire match," Aldair explained. When asked whether he would have enjoyed playing under Gasperini, the former Roma icon expressed doubt: "I am not so sure I would have played. When I arrived there was still the libero."

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has assessed the current state of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. The former captain acknowledged Donyell Malen's quality in Serie A this season, saying: "They're right, I would have struggled too with him. When he gets the ball he turns immediately and goes at you. Then he's quick and he sees the goal." Aldair identified Roma and Como as the standout performers in the league, praising his former club's improvement: "Roma is better than last season, it's in good shape physically and mentally and always gets to the ball first." On the title race, Aldair believes Roma can genuinely compete with Inter. "Yes, they can fight all the way with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench," he said. The 59-year-old highlighted the difficulty of Gasperini's tactical system, noting that the pressing demands are extreme. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult, nobody manages that kind of full-pitch pressure for an entire match," he explained. Aldair singled out Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in Roma's defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency, and also mentioned Leonardo Balerdi's contributions. When asked whether he would have liked to play under Gasperini, Aldair expressed doubt about his own place in such a system: "I'm not so sure I would have played, you know? When I arrived there was still the libero."

Andrea Stramaccioni, the DAZN pundit and former Roma youth coach who later found success at Inter, previewed Saturday's Stadio Olimpico clash between Roma and Inter, saying Roma's start to the season has been more impressive than he expected. "I didn't imagine they would start at these levels physically and mentally," he told Il Tempo. "Gasperini grows year on year because he gradually assembles players suited to his football." Stramaccioni was bullish on Roma's title chances despite Inter remaining favourites. "The enthusiasm being generated is healthy and it drags the squad along. I was at the Olimpico against Atalanta, and when the environment is in those conditions the team gets lifted and everything becomes possible." He acknowledged that Inter remain the team to beat but noted that the gap has narrowed in mentality, if not in squad quality and winning habit. "Yes, especially in mentality," he said when asked if the gap between Roma and Inter has diminished. "But Inter still remains the team to beat for the quality of their squad and their habit of winning." Asked to compare Roma's attacking options with Inter's, Stramaccioni highlighted the different approaches. "Dybala is the most creative player in Serie A, inventing chances from deep for a quick player who lives on the offside line like Malen," he explained. "On Inter's side you have a pairing of two strikers who always play in combination with each other, like Lautaro and Thuram."

Roma travel to the Olimpico on Saturday with a perfect record—twelve points from four matches plus a draw in Istanbul—but face one of the season's sternest examinations against Inter and Chivu, a side that has historically troubled Gasperini. The head coach has the full squad available and must resolve three significant lineup decisions. At centre-back, Evan N'Dicka has returned to full fitness but Leonardo Balerdi is in outstanding form; the Ivorian holds a slight edge. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for one spot, with Lulli's superior defensive cover making him the favourite alongside Wesley on the left. In attack, Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starts. Matías Soulé leads Rodrigo Mora for the third forward slot, though a surprise could emerge through the possible advancement of either Niccolò Pisilli or Bryan Cristante to bolster midfield cover.

Paulo Dybala has been invited by the Argentine Football Federation to attend a farewell ceremony for Lionel Messi, despite not being called up by coach Scaloni for the squad. The Joya won a World Cup with Messi and shared many matches with the Argentina national team. The ceremony will take place on 6 October when Argentina face Benin in what will be a farewell celebration for Messi. Dybala's attendance remains uncertain because Como play Roma five days later, on 11 October, which could prevent him from travelling. Other Roma players have clearer availability for the international break. Molina's presence at the farewell is possible, while Castro, Soulé and Balerdi are all confirmed in Scaloni's squad and their attendance is more certain. The timing presents a logistical challenge for the club during the international fixture list, as Dybala would need to balance the honour of attending Messi's farewell with his club commitments.

Andrea Stramaccioni, the DAZN pundit and former Roma youth coach who later found success at Inter, previewed Saturday's Stadio Olimpico clash between Roma and Inter, saying Roma's start to the season has been more impressive than he expected. "I didn't imagine they would start at these levels physically and mentally," he told Il Tempo. "Gasperini grows year on year because he gradually assembles players suited to his football." Stramaccioni was bullish on Roma's title chances despite Inter remaining favourites. "The enthusiasm being generated is healthy and it drags the squad along. I was at the Olimpico against Atalanta, and when the environment is in those conditions the team gets lifted and everything becomes possible." He acknowledged that Inter remain the team to beat but noted that the gap has narrowed in mentality, if not in squad quality and winning habit. "Yes, especially in mentality," he said when asked if the gap between Roma and Inter has diminished. "But Inter still remains the team to beat for the quality of their squad and their habit of winning." Asked to compare Roma's attacking options with Inter's, Stramaccioni highlighted the different approaches. "Dybala is the most creative player in Serie A, inventing chances from deep for a quick player who lives on the offside line like Malen," he explained. "On Inter's side you have a pairing of two strikers who always play in combination with each other, like Lautaro and Thuram."

Roma legend Aldair has praised Gasperini's squad, singling out Donyell Malen as the strongest player in the team. "They are right to say he is the strongest; I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. On the title race, he added: "Roma can compete all the way with Inter." He also highlighted the defence, saying: "N'Dicka is making the difference, but Mancini and Hermoso always hold firm. And Balerdi — have you seen him?" Meanwhile, police have issued 16 Daspo (stadium bans) to Curva Sud supporters who were recorded performing a Roman salute during the Roma–Atalanta match on 5 September. The bans will last between one and five years and will prevent these supporters from attending Roma matches both in Rome and abroad. Four of those supporters have also been issued additional restrictions requiring them to report to police stations on match days when Roma play at home. Gasperini has brought a new defensive solidity to Roma. In the 2025–26 season, his team conceded just 0.82 goals per match—the best average of his managerial career. This trend began at Atalanta, where the side finished the 2024–25 campaign with 37 goals conceded. Gasperini now aims to improve that record further.

Roma travel to the Olimpico on Saturday with a perfect record—twelve points from four matches plus a draw in Istanbul—but face one of the season's sternest examinations against Inter and Chivu, a side that has historically troubled Gasperini. The head coach has the full squad available and must resolve three significant lineup decisions. At centre-back, Evan N'Dicka has returned to full fitness but Leonardo Balerdi is in outstanding form; the Ivorian holds a slight edge. On the right flank, Emanuele Lulli and Nahuel Molina are competing for one spot, with Lulli's superior defensive cover making him the favourite alongside Wesley on the left. In attack, Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are guaranteed starts. Matías Soulé leads Rodrigo Mora for the third forward slot, though a surprise could emerge through the possible advancement of either Niccolò Pisilli or Bryan Cristante to bolster midfield cover.

Aldair, Roma's legendary defender, has praised the form of the squad under Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out Donyell Malen for particular acclaim. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former captain said many in Serie A now regard Malen as the strongest player in the league. "They are right—I would have struggled against him too," Aldair said. "When he gets the ball he turns immediately and comes at you. Then he is fast and he sees the goal." Aldair believes Roma have improved substantially from last season and can challenge Inter for the title. "Roma is better than last season, they are well physically and mentally and always arrive first to the ball," he said. "Yes, they can fight all the way to the end with Inter. This year Gasp also has more solutions from the bench." He identified Evan N'Dicka as making a particular difference in the defence, though he praised Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso for their consistency. He also highlighted Leonardo Balerdi, noting that Gasperini's system demands an intense high pressing throughout matches. "The game Gasp plays is very difficult—no one can maintain that type of pressure all over the pitch for the entire match," Aldair explained. When asked whether he would have enjoyed playing under Gasperini, the former Roma icon expressed doubt: "I am not so sure I would have played. When I arrived there was still the libero."