Torri backs N'Dicka to start against Inter, praises Roma's strength

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."

Andrea Stramaccioni, a former youth coach at Inter and now a Dazn pundit, has praised Roma's start to the season and believes the gap with the Serie A champions has closed. Speaking to Il Tempo, he highlighted the impact of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's methods and Roma's improving mentality. "I didn't expect Roma to start at this physical and mental level," Stramaccioni said. "Gasperini grows year on year because he gradually assembles players suited to his football." When asked whether the Scudetto could be a realistic objective, Stramaccioni pointed to the atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico as a catalyst for success. "I was at the Olimpico against Atalanta, and when the environment is in those conditions the squad gets carried along and everything becomes possible," he explained. He acknowledged that Inter remain the team to beat owing to the quality of their squad and their winning habit, but stressed that Roma's mentality has improved significantly in recent weeks. Stramaccioni also compared the attacking partnerships of the two clubs. "Paulo Dybala is the most creative player in Serie A, inventing chances behind a fast player living on the offside line like Malen," he said. "On Inter's side, they have a pairing with two strikers who always play in combination, one for the other, like Lautaro and Thuram."

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."

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."

Fulvio Collovati, who played for both Roma and Inter, has analysed the sides' meeting on Saturday at 18:00 at the Olimpico. Speaking to Il Giorno, the former defender praised Roma's defensive solidity this season while highlighting the tactical battle likely to unfold on the wings. Collovati noted Roma's transformation under Gasperini, pointing to Malen as the league's top scorer and the team's improved defensive record. He observed that "the squad is totally different. It has the league's leading goalscorer, Malen, and concedes fewer goals. It plays one-on-one pressing, it harries you and certainly does not give up attacking. The defensive hierarchies also seem well defined, though Balerdi played against Torino and did very well. Perhaps the comparison Gasperini made with Baresi was a bit exaggerated, although I don't know the player that well." On the match's key battle, Collovati identified the flanks as decisive: "I see a very interesting clash on the wings: Dimarco and Diouf on one side, Wesley and Molina or the young Lulli, who is very interesting, on the other. Above all, Inter rely heavily on the flanks, also having Bastoni. Generally, in my two years at Roma, I noticed that matches against Inter were often characterised by many goals, and in subsequent years it seemed the same happened." Collovati added that Gasperini's pedigree—leading Atalanta to win the Europa League—dispels any surprise at Roma's league position, describing third place in the coach's first season as "an exceptional achievement."

Fulvio Collovati, who played for both Roma and Inter, has analysed Saturday's meeting between the clubs at the Olimpico at 18:00. Roma have the best defence in the league this season, and Collovati attributed the improvement to a complete tactical overhaul. "A totally different team," he said. "It has the league's top scorer, Malen, and concedes less. It plays one-on-one under pressure, it aggresses you and certainly doesn't give up attacking. In defence the hierarchies seem well defined, but then against Torino Balerdi played and did very well. The comparison with Baresi that Gasperini made was perhaps a bit exaggerated, although I don't know the player that well." Collovati identified the wing play as the decisive battleground. "I see a very interesting clash on the flanks: Dimarco and Diouf on one side, Wesley and Molina or the young Lulli, who is very interesting, on the other. Inter especially relies heavily on the wide channels, also with Bastoni. In my time, in the two years I was at Roma, I noticed matches against Inter were often characterised by many goals, and in subsequent years it seemed to happen the same way." He dismissed any surprise at Roma's position near the top of the table. "Perhaps for those who don't know Gasperini. He took Atalanta to win the Europa League. The team returned to the Champions League, and for me this year it is destined to do more. Finishing third in the first year with this coach was already an exceptional achievement."

Paulo Dybala has been invited by the Argentine Football Federation to attend a special celebration honouring Lionel Messi on 6 October, when Argentina face Benin in a friendly. The event will serve as a broader tribute to Messi's career, marking the end of his time with the national team. Dybala and Messi won the World Cup together in Qatar and shared years competing for the Albiceleste. Dybala's attendance remains uncertain, however, due to fixture congestion. Just five days after the Messi tribute on 6 October, Roma will travel to Como in a Serie A fixture. The club must balance player recovery time during the international break with the demands of the upcoming league match, leaving Dybala's departure for Argentina not yet confirmed. Defender Nahuel Molina is also listed among potential invitees to the celebration. Other Roma players called up by Argentina for the same window face a different situation: Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi have all been officially included in head coach Scaloni's squad list and will participate in the Argentina gathering as normal.

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.

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."