Wesley Returns to Full Training Ahead of Newport Friendly

Roma and Inter meet on Saturday 19 September 2026 in a Serie A fixture billed as the competition's flagship match, with both sides unbeaten and on maximum points so far this season. The match takes place at the Olimpico before the international break. Gasperini has announced that all his squad members are available for selection, but is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and Evan N'Dicka, suggesting Leonardo Balerdi will start in defence. Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski set to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute to Sandro Mazzola before kick-off. The Inter and Italy legend died at 83 during the night.

Roma will host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, with gates opening at 15:30. The club advises supporters to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Tickets and season passes are valid only in digital format; screenshots will not grant access. Services for disabled supporters, the Quiet Room and the secondary ticketing reporting form remain active. The match will be Roma's 81st sold-out fixture of the Friedkin era, with approximately 68,000 spectators and 3,500 Inter supporters in the visiting section. The Curva Sud is preparing a new choreography, and media accreditation has reached over 400. Ryan Friedkin is expected at the stadium, preceded in the capital by Ed Shipley. Roma have several tactical decisions to finalize: Leonardo Balerdi could challenge both Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka for a defensive place, while Emanuele Lulli leads Nahuel Molina on the left flank. Manu Koné returns as a starter in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are fixed in attack, with Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli competing for the remaining forward spot. Former Roma player Giuseppe Giannini previewed the fixture, saying: "Inter are still ahead, but this Roma can compete." On Gasperini's tenure, Giannini stated: "Gasperini and Roma: the right pairing." He cautioned on the title race: "It is too soon, but a victory would be an important signal. Arriving at the international break with a perfect record would be uplifting."

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico at 18:00 today in the fifth round of Serie A, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side taking on Cristian Chivu's Inter in a full house. A handful of selection questions remain unresolved just hours before kickoff, particularly in defence and the attacking midfield positions. Mile Svilar will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka expected to form a defensive pairing. The main uncertainty centres on the third defender: Leonardo Balerdi, who produced an excellent display in Turin, may displace Mario Hermoso. With Emanuele Lulli operating on the right and Wesley on the left, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné appear set for central midfield duties, with the Frenchman available after recent physical problems. The principal dilemma concerns the role behind Donyell Malen, the Serie A leading scorer with six goals. Paulo Dybala is expected to start alongside the striker, while the second attacking midfield spot is contested between Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli. Soulé would provide greater offensive quality, whereas Pisilli offers Gasperini a different tactical solution through his positioning, running off the ball and pressing intensity. Roma's probable XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Roma and Inter meet on Saturday 19 September 2026 in a Serie A fixture billed as the competition's flagship match, with both sides unbeaten and on maximum points so far this season. The match takes place at the Olimpico before the international break. Gasperini has announced that all his squad members are available for selection, but is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and Evan N'Dicka, suggesting Leonardo Balerdi will start in defence. Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski set to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute to Sandro Mazzola before kick-off. The Inter and Italy legend died at 83 during the night.

Roma and Inter meet at the Olimpico at 18:00 for a summit clash, but Inter manager Chivu faces three key selection decisions in the hours before kickoff. In Inter's 3-5-2 formation, Dimarco is expected to start on one flank, though Carlos Augusto is in fine form and his recent performances make him a genuine contender for the role. On the opposite wing, Diouf and Luis Henrique are competing for the chance to contain Wesley. The third dilemma concerns the left-midfield position, where Jones appears to be the favourite to start ahead of both Sucic and Mkhitaryan. For Roma, Gasperini must still resolve his own final shape questions—principally whether to hand Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli their starting places. The fixture carries extra weight as a battle between the league's top contenders, with both teams seeking advantage at a critical stage of the season.

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico at 18:00 today in the fifth round of Serie A, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side taking on Cristian Chivu's Inter in a full house. A handful of selection questions remain unresolved just hours before kickoff, particularly in defence and the attacking midfield positions. Mile Svilar will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka expected to form a defensive pairing. The main uncertainty centres on the third defender: Leonardo Balerdi, who produced an excellent display in Turin, may displace Mario Hermoso. With Emanuele Lulli operating on the right and Wesley on the left, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné appear set for central midfield duties, with the Frenchman available after recent physical problems. The principal dilemma concerns the role behind Donyell Malen, the Serie A leading scorer with six goals. Paulo Dybala is expected to start alongside the striker, while the second attacking midfield spot is contested between Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli. Soulé would provide greater offensive quality, whereas Pisilli offers Gasperini a different tactical solution through his positioning, running off the ball and pressing intensity. Roma's probable XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Roma and Inter meet at the Olimpico at 18:00 for a summit clash, but Inter manager Chivu faces three key selection decisions in the hours before kickoff. In Inter's 3-5-2 formation, Dimarco is expected to start on one flank, though Carlos Augusto is in fine form and his recent performances make him a genuine contender for the role. On the opposite wing, Diouf and Luis Henrique are competing for the chance to contain Wesley. The third dilemma concerns the left-midfield position, where Jones appears to be the favourite to start ahead of both Sucic and Mkhitaryan. For Roma, Gasperini must still resolve his own final shape questions—principally whether to hand Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli their starting places. The fixture carries extra weight as a battle between the league's top contenders, with both teams seeking advantage at a critical stage of the season.

Roma will host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, with gates opening at 15:30. The club advises supporters to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Tickets and season passes are valid only in digital format; screenshots will not grant access. Services for disabled supporters, the Quiet Room and the secondary ticketing reporting form remain active. The match will be Roma's 81st sold-out fixture of the Friedkin era, with approximately 68,000 spectators and 3,500 Inter supporters in the visiting section. The Curva Sud is preparing a new choreography, and media accreditation has reached over 400. Ryan Friedkin is expected at the stadium, preceded in the capital by Ed Shipley. Roma have several tactical decisions to finalize: Leonardo Balerdi could challenge both Mario Hermoso and Evan N'Dicka for a defensive place, while Emanuele Lulli leads Nahuel Molina on the left flank. Manu Koné returns as a starter in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are fixed in attack, with Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli competing for the remaining forward spot. Former Roma player Giuseppe Giannini previewed the fixture, saying: "Inter are still ahead, but this Roma can compete." On Gasperini's tenure, Giannini stated: "Gasperini and Roma: the right pairing." He cautioned on the title race: "It is too soon, but a victory would be an important signal. Arriving at the international break with a perfect record would be uplifting."

Roma face Inter at the Stadio Olimpico at 18:00 today in the fifth round of Serie A, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side taking on Cristian Chivu's Inter in a full house. A handful of selection questions remain unresolved just hours before kickoff, particularly in defence and the attacking midfield positions. Mile Svilar will start in goal, with Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka expected to form a defensive pairing. The main uncertainty centres on the third defender: Leonardo Balerdi, who produced an excellent display in Turin, may displace Mario Hermoso. With Emanuele Lulli operating on the right and Wesley on the left, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné appear set for central midfield duties, with the Frenchman available after recent physical problems. The principal dilemma concerns the role behind Donyell Malen, the Serie A leading scorer with six goals. Paulo Dybala is expected to start alongside the striker, while the second attacking midfield spot is contested between Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli. Soulé would provide greater offensive quality, whereas Pisilli offers Gasperini a different tactical solution through his positioning, running off the ball and pressing intensity. Roma's probable XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Roma and Inter will meet on the pitch this Saturday as the Serie A leaders, but behind the fixture lies a stark contrast in how their respective owners build and sustain their projects. Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma have invested €211 million in player acquisitions since his arrival, while Cristian Chivu's Inter have spent €186 million—a gap of €25 million that illustrates the Friedkin Group's commitment to backing the sporting project despite UEFA financial fair play constraints. By contrast, Inter's ownership under Oaktree has prioritised economic and financial stability. The €211 million Roma figure spans the campaigns that began with Gasperini's appointment. In the 2025–26 season, Roma spent €86.5 million, with Wesley arriving for €25 million and Neil El Aynaoui for €23 million, alongside Robinio Vaz (€20 million), Jan Ziółkowski (€6.5 million), and several expensive loans including Donyell Malen, Bailey, Evan Ferguson, Daniele Ghilardi and Zaragoza. The acceleration came this summer: the Friedkin Group approved €124.5 million for 2026–27, comprising Santiago Castro (€35 million), Rodrigo Mora (€25 million), Malen's permanent transfer (€25 million), Konstantinos Koulierakis (€16.5 million), Nahuel Molina (€13 million), Ghilardi's purchase (€8 million), Marten de Roon (€1 million) and Leonardo Balerdi's loan (€1 million). The Porto agreement for Mora includes a further €25 million for 2027 or 50 per cent of any future sale. The contrast deepens when examining the wider impact on club finances. Since summer 2025, Roma's squad costs—including salaries, depreciation and loan fees—have risen by approximately €15 million, while Inter's have fallen by approximately €10 million. The Friedkin Group has covered losses through fresh capital injections, accepting red accounts to sustain sporting growth; Roma has not closed a profitable financial year since their 2020 arrival, with 2025–26 expected to end in loss. Oaktree delivered a €35 million profit in its first Inter season and is preparing to close the next year in the black. Both approaches remain valid: Chivu inherited a structured squad already competing at the highest level, while Gasperini was tasked with rebuilding after Roma's seven-year absence from the Champions League. Saturday's direct clash will test both strategies on the pitch. One club has chosen acceleration to close the gap; the other is maintaining competitiveness while reducing the squad's economic burden.

As Roma and Inter prepare to meet this week, the two clubs' transfer philosophies have diverged sharply over the past two years. The Friedkin Group has committed €211m in investment across two seasons under Gian Piero Gasperini, while Inter's owners Oaktree have adopted a more cautious strategy, spending €186m under Cristian Chivu with an emphasis on youth development and financial stability. In Gasperini's first season at Roma (2025-26), the club invested €86.5m across the transfer window and January. Summer arrivals included Wesley (€25m) and El Aynaoui (€23m), followed by Robinio Vaz (€20m) in January and a costly loan deal for Donyell Malen (€2m). The squad was further bolstered by acquisitions and loans involving Ziolkowski, Bailey, Ferguson, Ghilardi and Zaragoza. The current 2026-27 campaign has seen Roma spend €124.5m, with major moves including the permanent purchase of Malen (€25m), Santiago Castro (€35m), Rodrigo Mora (€25m), Konstantinos Koulierakis (€16.5m), Nahuel Molina (€13m) and Marten de Roon (€1m), plus the redemption of Ghilardi (€8m) and the loan of Leonardo Balerdi (€1m). Over two years, these investments have increased the squad's salary and amortisation costs by approximately €15m. Inter's approach under Oaktree reflects cost containment and team development. During Chivu's first season they acquired younger talent including Luis Henrique (€24.5m), Bonny (€23m), Diouf (€20m) and Sucic (€15.5m), plus Akanji on loan (€1m), totalling €84m. The 2026-27 window has seen just €102m committed to signings, bringing cumulative Chivu-era spending to €186m. Unlike Roma, Inter has cut squad costs by approximately €10m over the same period, inheriting a competitive core that required less overhaul.

AS Roma have spent €211 million on transfers since Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival in summer 2025, significantly more than Inter's €186 million under Cristian Chivu over the same period. The spending patterns reflect differing philosophies between owner Friedkin, who readily invests in quality acquisitions, and Inter's ownership Oaktree, which has prioritised young prospects and financial stability. Gasperini received immediate backing from Friedkin in summer 2025 with two signings over €20 million each: Wesley for €25 million and Neil El Aynaoui for €23 million. That window also brought Ziolkowski for €6.5 million and loans including Bailey (€3m), Evan Ferguson (€3m), Ghilardi (€2m) and Zaragoza (€2m), totalling €86.5 million. The 2026-27 season saw heavier investment: Donyell Malen's loan made permanent for €25 million, Santiago Castro for €35 million, Rodrigo Mora for €25 million, Konstantinos Koulierakis for €16.5 million, and Nahuel Molina for €13 million. Ghilardi was bought out for €8 million, while Leonardo Balerdi joined on loan for €1 million. Marten de Roon arrived for €1 million, bringing the current season's total to €124.5 million. Inter's approach under Chivu has centred on younger profiles. Summer 2025 signings were Luis Henrique (€24.5 million), Bonny (€23 million), Diouf (€20 million) and Sucie (€15.5 million), plus Akanji on loan (€1 million) — €84 million total. This season added Provedel for €3 million, reaching €102 million. The comparison shows stark strategic differences: Roma's squad cost rose by approximately €15 million through wages, amortisation and loan fees since summer 2025, while Inter's squad cost fell by roughly €10 million over the same span, reflecting their contrasting investment and salary philosophies.