Wesley on left-back switch and development under Gasperini

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to reporters ahead of the fifth Serie A match between Roma and Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on 19 September 2026, with both sides unbeaten. On the acquisition of Leonardo Balerdi, D'Amico explained the club's reasoning and confirmed the deal's timing: "We needed to strengthen the defence with an experienced player, although he is still young. He has physical strength and pace. We have been following him for years, and in the last week we had the opportunity to acquire him on good terms as well. We are very happy. We have known him for years, we know the human values too, which are very important to us in building the squad." D'Amico stressed that Inter remain the benchmark as defending Serie A champions. "Inter is the reference team, Italian champions, strong and complete. For us it is a great motivation to test ourselves against the best," he said. When asked about the criticism surrounding Luca Percassi, D'Amico deflected focus to the immediate challenge: "In a pre-match like this, with a stadium like this, we think about enjoying this match, which will be difficult but I hope beautiful for us. We think about today and the future." On Manu Koné's recovery and availability for the fixture, D'Amico was positive: "Manu is well. We are happy with the whole squad. We know that whoever is called every Sunday always gives their contribution. After the break we will have many matches and we will need everyone. We hope Manu plays well tonight too."

Wesley has explained his tactical transition under Gian Piero Gasperini, revealing how he has adapted to playing on the left wing despite preferring his natural right-hand side. Speaking to ESPN Brasil, the Roma defender discussed the positional shift that Gasperini has progressively developed over recent months. Wesley described his willingness to fulfil whatever role the coach demands. "The manager saw I had potential there… and I don't ask questions, right? 'Why have you put me on the left?' I go on the pitch and just do what he asks," he said. On his preference, he added: "As for my adaptation to the left: I feel comfortable, only I prefer to play on the right, obviously. But I'd play anywhere, in every position, it doesn't matter. I just want to be in the starting eleven, that's all." The positional change has refined his attacking approach. Wesley explained that he is working particularly on improving his final third: "What I'm improving, and what I still need to improve, is my last third. And I know that. Now on the left it's much easier for me, because I cut inside and cross or cut inside and shoot. So I train a lot. And my adaptation to the left has been about that." The versatility gives Gasperini flexibility across both flanks, with Wesley now capable of operating on either wing without compromising his availability or commitment to the team.

Roma and Inter meet in the final fixture before the international break on 19 September, both sides unbeaten and top of Serie A on maximum points. Gasperini has announced all his players are available but is monitoring the condition of Wesley and N'Dicka, signalling that Balerdi will start; Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski drafted in to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute before kickoff to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend and Italy internationalist who died at 83 overnight. The match represents a statement game between the league's two strongest starts to the 2026-27 campaign. Roma's defensive contingencies suggest caution in their approach, while Inter's midfield reshuffle highlights their own injury burden as the window closes on the first international break of the season.

Wesley has explained his tactical transition under Gian Piero Gasperini, revealing how he has adapted to playing on the left wing despite preferring his natural right-hand side. Speaking to ESPN Brasil, the Roma defender discussed the positional shift that Gasperini has progressively developed over recent months. Wesley described his willingness to fulfil whatever role the coach demands. "The manager saw I had potential there… and I don't ask questions, right? 'Why have you put me on the left?' I go on the pitch and just do what he asks," he said. On his preference, he added: "As for my adaptation to the left: I feel comfortable, only I prefer to play on the right, obviously. But I'd play anywhere, in every position, it doesn't matter. I just want to be in the starting eleven, that's all." The positional change has refined his attacking approach. Wesley explained that he is working particularly on improving his final third: "What I'm improving, and what I still need to improve, is my last third. And I know that. Now on the left it's much easier for me, because I cut inside and cross or cut inside and shoot. So I train a lot. And my adaptation to the left has been about that." The versatility gives Gasperini flexibility across both flanks, with Wesley now capable of operating on either wing without compromising his availability or commitment to the team.

Roma and Inter meet in the final fixture before the international break on 19 September, both sides unbeaten and top of Serie A on maximum points. Gasperini has announced all his players are available but is monitoring the condition of Wesley and N'Dicka, signalling that Balerdi will start; Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski drafted in to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute before kickoff to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend and Italy internationalist who died at 83 overnight. The match represents a statement game between the league's two strongest starts to the 2026-27 campaign. Roma's defensive contingencies suggest caution in their approach, while Inter's midfield reshuffle highlights their own injury burden as the window closes on the first international break of the season.

Gian Piero Gasperini made only one change in midfield for Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, selecting Matías Soulé ahead of Niccolò Pisilli in the attacking midfield role. The head coach favoured continuity against Cristian Chivu's side in matchday five, keeping the core of the team that had started the season well. The defensive line remained settled: Mile Svilar in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley operated on the flanks, while Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante held the midfield. Donyell Malen, who had been prominent in Roma's opening fixtures, led the attack, supported by Paulo Dybala and Soulé. Leonardo Balerdi dropped to the bench. Roma's starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.