Three Roma players in Argentina squad; Dybala and Molina left out

Gianluca Mancini pulled over on his way out of Trigoria on 15 September to take a selfie with a group of young supporters who flagged him down in the middle of the road. The Roma defender obliged the excited children, who embraced each other afterwards in a moment of joy captured on video and shared by the Instagram account Calciatori per Sbaglio. The interaction came after training as Roma prepared for Saturday's big match against Inter. Mancini has become a fixture in the capital and is one of the players through whom Roma's fanbase most closely identifies, valued for his commitment and passion for the shirt. The gesture exemplifies the connection between the defender and the club's supporters.

Roma stayed top of Serie A alongside Inter after four matches with a victory away at Turin, extending their perfect record. Donyell Malen scored again, but the standout feature was a third clean sheet of the campaign: Mile Svilar's record in goal has been breached only by Atalanta's Ederson. The addition of Leonardo Balerdi to an already-settled back line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso has significantly strengthened the defence. Against Turin's forwards, Balerdi posted commanding numbers: 7 duels won, 11 defensive actions, 6 clearances—more than any other player on the pitch—plus 29 completed passes from 32 attempted, a success rate of 91%. He was combative in close defence and brave in pressing opponents into the attacking third. Gasperini benefits from the fact that Balerdi functions as an extra layer rather than a replacement for the established trio, giving Roma a more powerful shield while opponents face added danger in attack. The defence will face a stern examination on Saturday in a title clash against Inter, whose 13 goals make them the league's leading scorers. Last season Inter scored 6 goals against Roma—nearly one-fifth of all the goals Roma conceded in the entire Serie A campaign—a significant test of the giallorossi's defensive resilience.

Mattia Guaglianone, a 16-year-old left-footed attacking midfielder, is emerging as a bright prospect in Roma's Primavera programme. His contract expired in summer, but Roma sporting staff D'Amico and Margiotta retained him on a two-year deal, turning away interest from Ajax and Bayern Munich. He has made an immediate positive impact in the Under-20 setup, though his development project is only beginning. The Stadio Olimpico will be in full voice on Saturday when Roma face Inter. More than 65,000 tickets have already been sold, boosted by a full away section after away fans from Fiorentina and Atalanta recently boycotted their fixtures at the ground. The fixture represents the latest major attendance draw for the club this season, with the away support particularly notable after recent sparse visiting allocations.

Roma stayed top of Serie A alongside Inter after four matches with a victory away at Turin, extending their perfect record. Donyell Malen scored again, but the standout feature was a third clean sheet of the campaign: Mile Svilar's record in goal has been breached only by Atalanta's Ederson. The addition of Leonardo Balerdi to an already-settled back line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso has significantly strengthened the defence. Against Turin's forwards, Balerdi posted commanding numbers: 7 duels won, 11 defensive actions, 6 clearances—more than any other player on the pitch—plus 29 completed passes from 32 attempted, a success rate of 91%. He was combative in close defence and brave in pressing opponents into the attacking third. Gasperini benefits from the fact that Balerdi functions as an extra layer rather than a replacement for the established trio, giving Roma a more powerful shield while opponents face added danger in attack. The defence will face a stern examination on Saturday in a title clash against Inter, whose 13 goals make them the league's leading scorers. Last season Inter scored 6 goals against Roma—nearly one-fifth of all the goals Roma conceded in the entire Serie A campaign—a significant test of the giallorossi's defensive resilience.

Roma have conceded just one goal in their opening four league matches, reflecting the defensive solidity Gasperini has built with a central defence of the highest calibre. The additions of Balerdi and Koulierakis have reinforced a department already well-established, creating what Gasperini probably hoped to have available last season but did not. The wealth of options is now reshaping how the side defends. Evan N'Dicka commands the backline with his reading of play; Balerdi has impressed from the bench and in his league debut against Torino, winning over Roma's supporters. Gianluca Mancini has weathered early-season difficulties to deliver a strong performance at Torino. Mario Hermoso, the ever-reliable figure, has anchored the defence through demanding fixtures. Daniele Ghilardi impressed at Lecce, and Koulierakis waits his turn—however the combinations rotate, the defence stands as Roma's most complete department. Behind them, the goalkeeper between the posts no longer makes headlines, his standards now expected rather than celebrated. Roma lead Serie A with a single goal conceded so far. Among Europe's five major leagues, only Arsenal can match that defensive record. This defensive foundation arrives before Roma face Inter, whose forward line of Lautaro Martínez, Thuram, Esposito and Bonny has shown defensive frailty in their early season outings.

Roma extended their unbeaten run to four Serie A matches after victory in Turin, staying joint-top with Inter on maximum points. Donyell Malen continued his goalscoring form, and crucially, Gasperini's side kept a clean sheet against Torino—their third in the league this season. Mile Svilar's record has been breached only by Atalanta's Ederson goal. Leonardo Balerdi has emerged as the key addition to Roma's defence alongside the established trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini effectively now has four reliable centre-backs, providing both security at the back and additional tactical flexibility in attack. The defensive unit's strength will be tested severely on Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash at Inter, who boast Serie A's best attack with 13 goals and inflicted six defeats on Roma in the previous season—nearly a fifth of all the goals Roma conceded across the entire league campaign. Bareldi's performance against Torino underlined his value: he won 7 duels, made 11 defensive actions and 6 clearances—more than any other player on the pitch—while completing 29 passes with a success rate of 91%. According to Simone Valdarchi in Il Corriere della Sera, the defender showed aggression in close-range tackles near his own goal and courage in pressing opponents up to the attacking third. His immediate promotion to full integration suggests Gasperini has found a complete solution to Roma's defensive depth.

Roma will host Inter at the Olimpico looking to move top of the Serie A table outright, with the match billed as a showcase of attacking prowess from both sides. The Giallorossi faithful are expected to fill the stadium to drive their team toward a result that could send a strong early message to the title race. Although Inter are favoured, a single match can produce anything, and Roma's ambitions rest on the longer campaign ahead. Roma have improved in mentality and squad quality this season, and manager Gasperini has equipped the attacking units to be at least comparable. Dybala is positioned as the deciding factor, ready to go head-to-head with fellow Argentine and friend Lautaro. Alongside him, Malen and Castro offer attacking options, with Castro featuring in all four league matches so far. Matías Soulé splits his role with Mora, a young talent with eye-catching play but a slight frame. Inter possess their own firepower. Pio Esposito has scored twice—in the opening league match and the most recent round against Friuli—while Thuram has shown he has shed the rust from post-World Cup. Bonny offers another goal threat, having scored once thus far. The attacking duel between the two sides promises to define the contest.

Roma travel to face Inter on Saturday with a perfect Serie A record of 12 points from 12, heading into what the Italian press calls their first genuine direct championship confrontation of the season. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad have maintained their standards despite key absences: without N'Dicka, Wesley and with Koné initially on the bench against Turin, Roma sustained their pressing, intensity, quality and solidity. Leonardo Balerdi exemplified the depth available, delivering a commanding full debut performance at centre-back against Torino after convincing cameos against Atalanta and Fenerbahce, displaying anticipation, speed and physical strength in duels. Marten de Roon, brought on in the second half, immediately conveyed full understanding of Gasperini's midfielder demands. Nahuel Molina continues to develop, Santiago Castro offers encouraging signs, and Rodrigo Mora has already shown flashes of talent. The "Dybalen" partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen has become the team's attacking heart: in nine matches started together from the opening whistle, Roma have never lost—eight victories and one draw. Gasperini considers them complementary, and the pitch has repeatedly validated his assessment. Roma won all four opening league matches, a feat not achieved since 2014–15, and arrive at the Inter clash level on points with the Nerazzurri. Inter remain the league's benchmark for quality, depth and big-match experience, but also represent a genuine curse: they have not lost at the Olimpico to Roma since 2016 and have won their last five meetings in the capital. Gasperini himself has not beaten Inter in seventeen matches, with ten consecutive defeats. However, Roma now possess the tools to potentially rewrite that history. The article notes that Saturday will not settle the title race or hand down final verdicts, but it will offer the first genuine chance to measure how high Roma's ceiling truly sits this season. Roma do not start as favourites, but for the first time in considerable time can approach such a fixture with a conviction beyond mere resistance—the belief they can play as equals and aim to win.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has named his squad for the national team's upcoming fixtures, which will include Lionel Messi's final chapter in the Albiceleste shirt. Three Roma players have been called up: Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro, who will travel to represent Argentina. Paulo Dybala has been left out and will remain available to Roma during the international break. Nahuel Molina is also absent, suspended following an appeal by Argentina that allows him to serve his ban in non-competitive matches as well as official games. Roma will have strong representation in Scaloni's squad despite the absences, with the three named players departing to join their national team.

Aldo Serena, the former striker turned Sky pundit, has weighed in on Saturday's Roma–Inter clash, describing it as a defining examination for Gasperini's side. Serena praised Roma's early-season form, saying the team has been given an attacking game by the coach that is both eye-catching and concrete. "Gasperini has given them football that catches the eye with a physically sharp Dybala. The team attacks, entertains but is at the same time concrete thanks to that phenomenon that is Malen," Serena said. For Inter, Serena sees a tougher assignment on the defensive front. While highlighting the pace of Bonny, the agility of Thuram, the power of Pio Esposito and the quality of Lautaro, he suggested their summer acquisitions have improved the squad's overall calibre, but warned their defence needs work. "With the Roma match, it could be difficult," he concluded, noting that Inter cannot rely on comebacks if they want to progress in the Champions League.

Marten De Roon's arrival at Roma in the final days of the summer transfer window had raised eyebrows among supporters, not least because of the departure of Neil El Aynaoui. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder faced scepticism over his age and a history of social media provocations directed at Roma following clashes between his former club Atalanta and the Giallorossi. But in his early appearances, De Roon has already justified Gian Piero Gasperini's decision to reunite with him. Gasperini has deployed De Roon more frequently than any other player across his managerial career—361 appearances, compared to Toloi's 289—demonstrating the depth of their working relationship. De Roon left Atalanta after falling out of favour under Sarri, and Gasperini brought him to Roma on what amounted to a free transfer within 48 hours. His arrival initially unsettled Roma's fanbase due to past social media friction, but De Roon apologised immediately and made himself available. Though his competitive minutes remain limited—35 across Serie A and Champions League—his early impact has been positive, with Gasperini appearing to orchestrate play from the dugout with precision. De Roon brings valuable experience to a squad that is shorter than last season but higher in quality. After Paulo Dybala, he holds the second-most Champions League appearances in the group with 44, offering younger players like Niccolò Pisilli the chance to develop under an established presence. His integration has helped stabilise a Roma side operating with Gasperini's direct tactical methods.

Marten De Roon has arrived at Roma to rejoin Gian Piero Gasperini, the coach who has deployed him more frequently than any other manager in his career. The 35-year-old midfielder left Atalanta after Sarri and D'Amico determined he no longer fit their plans, and Roma secured him on what was reportedly a nominal fee within 48 hours. His exit from Bergamo prompted Atalanta ultras to unveil a pointed banner: "You chose to pass through our history but not to belong to it. Goodbye little flag." Gasperini responded swiftly: "Should he have become an old shoe gathering dust in a cupboard? He didn't leave of his own accord." De Roon's arrival initially unsettled Roma's fanbase, given tensions dating back to social media provocations in previous years. He apologised immediately and made himself available. Though his minutes remain limited—35 across Serie A and the Champions League—his impact has been positive. De Roon understands Gasperini's system instinctively; the coach appears to operate him with remote-control precision from the bench. The squad is smaller than last season but superior in quality, and his presence is a luxury. He has brought experience to the group: after Paulo Dybala, he ranks second for Champions League appearances with 44, and younger players such as Niccolò Pisilli can develop optimally alongside him.