Wesley and Dimarco: top-level left-flank duel as Roma host Inter

Leonardo Balerdi has become the focal point of Roma's preparation for Saturday's clash with Inter at the Olimpico after an impressive display on Monday against Torino in place of Evan N'Dicka. His convincing performance prompted Gasperini to view the Argentine defender as a potential starter against the Serie A champions, a promotion that has raised competitive intensity across the defence and the wider squad. Gasperini's team selection will be shaped by who delivers the strongest performances in training at Trigoria: those who maintain full commitment and maximum effort will earn starting places. The likely starting formation will closely resemble the strongest XI fielded last season, built around the established core players. The returning absentees from Monday—N'Dicka, Wesley, and Manu Koné—are set to come back into contention. The intriguing tactical question centres on the left-back slot, where teenage defender Emanuele Lulli has emerged as the focus of recent debate. Lulli's physical test results place him ahead of Nahuel Molina, making him the favourite to start, provided Gasperini prioritises the pace and pressing strength needed to contain Inter's left-side playmaker Dimarco. A third option exists: Wesley deployed on the right with Molina on the left, a setup already tested in training. Elsewhere, Mario Hermoso will mark Nicolò Barella, while Niccolò Pisilli is warming up for a potential late-match impact.

Pierluigi Massa has been appointed to referee Roma's upcoming match against Inter, a decision that has drawn scrutiny from former referee Graziano Cesari. Roma have failed to win in ten matches in which Massa has officiated, a record that has fuelled concern among supporters. The frustration stems partly from the recent Como–Roma fixture, where Wesley was sent off in a controversial decision. Cesari, now a commentator, spoke to Sportmediaset about the appointment, calling it a "conservative" choice by Giancarlo Orsato, who made the designation. "I expected one of either Massa or Marco Guida," Cesari said. "He is an arbitrator of great experience, with excellent knowledge of the players and their characteristics. If the match becomes more intense at an agonistic level, he could face difficulty in managing it. Experience, character and clarity can certainly help him, but that too is an aspect to keep in mind."

Angeliño, loaned to Deportivo La Coruña this summer with a buy option, made his first start in a year in the sixth matchday of Liga between Deportivo and Seville on 17 September 2026. The move brought no luck. After sitting on the bench for the opening four rounds, Angeliño was fielded in the starting XI but lasted only until the 60th minute, when he was sent off for a hard challenge on Miguel Sierra. The referee initially showed yellow but upgraded it to red after consulting the VAR. The dismissal came at the worst moment for Deportivo, who were already trailing 0–1 following Sierra's goal in the 52nd minute. Seville held on to win 0–1, leaving Angeliño's long-awaited return to competitive action marked by a straight red card.

Leonardo Balerdi has become the focal point of Roma's preparation for Saturday's clash with Inter at the Olimpico after an impressive display on Monday against Torino in place of Evan N'Dicka. His convincing performance prompted Gasperini to view the Argentine defender as a potential starter against the Serie A champions, a promotion that has raised competitive intensity across the defence and the wider squad. Gasperini's team selection will be shaped by who delivers the strongest performances in training at Trigoria: those who maintain full commitment and maximum effort will earn starting places. The likely starting formation will closely resemble the strongest XI fielded last season, built around the established core players. The returning absentees from Monday—N'Dicka, Wesley, and Manu Koné—are set to come back into contention. The intriguing tactical question centres on the left-back slot, where teenage defender Emanuele Lulli has emerged as the focus of recent debate. Lulli's physical test results place him ahead of Nahuel Molina, making him the favourite to start, provided Gasperini prioritises the pace and pressing strength needed to contain Inter's left-side playmaker Dimarco. A third option exists: Wesley deployed on the right with Molina on the left, a setup already tested in training. Elsewhere, Mario Hermoso will mark Nicolò Barella, while Niccolò Pisilli is warming up for a potential late-match impact.

Pierluigi Massa has been appointed to referee Roma's upcoming match against Inter, a decision that has drawn scrutiny from former referee Graziano Cesari. Roma have failed to win in ten matches in which Massa has officiated, a record that has fuelled concern among supporters. The frustration stems partly from the recent Como–Roma fixture, where Wesley was sent off in a controversial decision. Cesari, now a commentator, spoke to Sportmediaset about the appointment, calling it a "conservative" choice by Giancarlo Orsato, who made the designation. "I expected one of either Massa or Marco Guida," Cesari said. "He is an arbitrator of great experience, with excellent knowledge of the players and their characteristics. If the match becomes more intense at an agonistic level, he could face difficulty in managing it. Experience, character and clarity can certainly help him, but that too is an aspect to keep in mind."

Fulvio Collovati, a former defender who played for both Roma and Inter, has previewed Saturday's 18:00 kickoff at the Olimpico between the two clubs. Speaking to Il Giorno, Collovati highlighted Roma's transformation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, singling out the team's improved defensive record and attacking threat. "A totally different squad," Collovati said of Roma. "It has the league's top scorer in Malen and concedes fewer goals. It plays one-on-one pressing, attacks you aggressively and certainly doesn't give up attacking. In defence the hierarchy looks well-defined, but then against Torino Balerdi played and did very well. Perhaps the Baresi comparison Gasperini made was a bit exaggerated, though I don't know the player so well." Roma currently have the best defence in Serie A. Collovati identified the flanks as crucial to the contest, noting: "I see a very interesting battle on the wings: 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 wing corridors, also having Bastoni." Collovati recalled that Roma-Inter matches have historically been high-scoring affairs. When asked if Roma's position at the top is a surprise, he replied: "Perhaps for those who don't know Gasperini. He took Atalanta to win the Europa League. The squad is back in the Champions League and for me this year it is destined to do more. Already the third place achieved in his first year with this manager was an exceptional achievement."