Roma approach Inter at the Olimpico with Gian Piero Gasperini welcoming the scale of the occasion but refusing to turn one major fixture into a final verdict on the Scudetto race. The Giallorossi coach sees his side’s position near the summit as evidence of progress, while maintaining that Inter remain the established standard in Serie A.
Gasperini said Roma and Inter had both earned the right to arrive at this point with enthusiasm after playing a heavy sequence of matches and collecting important results. For Roma, it is an opportunity to measure their growth against the club he considers Italian football’s reference point.
“It is satisfying to be in this area of the table after so many games for both sides,” he said. “It is a great appointment and there is real enthusiasm. Inter are the benchmark for our league and for everyone else. They have achieved extraordinary things in Italy and Europe, reaching two finals in recent years. Everybody recognises their strength.”
Roma seek confirmation, not early conclusions
The Roma manager had already suggested that around 20 league rounds would be needed before deciding whether his team could genuinely contend for the title. Ahead of Inter’s visit, he repeated that the current table is still too young for definitive assessments.
Inter’s advantage, he said, is shown not only by the depth of their squad but by results gathered over several seasons. Napoli have occasionally broken into that picture, but Gasperini believes Inter’s record has made them the strongest Italian side over recent years.
“Their wins and points make the difference very clear,” Gasperini said. “We have to be calm enough to acknowledge objective situations. If we want to reach that level, we must keep looking at ourselves. I am pleased with what we are doing because we are trying to establish ourselves in a higher bracket of the championship.
“There have only been a few rounds, so it is too soon for balances, but we are trying to remain in this position. Compared with last season, we have certainly improved.”
That perspective gives the match a wider meaning than a single Sunday afternoon. Roma are attempting to consolidate their place among the leading clubs; Inter arrive as the side every challenger is trying to approach.
A difficult record against Inter
The contest also brings Gasperini back to a troubling personal sequence. Across his spells at Atalanta and Roma, he has lost each of his last 10 meetings with Inter.
Asked whether Inter had become his “kryptonite”, he accepted that there had been earlier periods when he could take results from them, but said the recent run has been markedly different. The pattern has continued despite changes in the Inter dugout, from Antonio Conte to Simone Inzaghi and now Chivu.
“Perhaps there is a tactical element, but the coaches have changed and the outcome has not,” he said. “Many teams have negative numbers against Inter. There was once a similar period with Juventus, during their run of seven or eight league titles, and then victories eventually came. There are many factors when you face such a strong team.”
Fitness boosts before the Olimpico meeting
Roma’s preparations have been helped by an encouraging injury update. Manu Koné, Evan Ndicka and Wesley are all expected to be available after minor physical issues and seasonal illness affected the group.
“I am crossing my fingers, but they should all be available tomorrow,” Gasperini said. “That is already unusual, because there is normally always somebody feeling better and somebody carrying a problem. There have been flu symptoms, small twists and knocks, which is normal. We still have the final session, but the tension of the match can help players overcome the smaller issues.”
Lorenzo Pellegrini has also been back with the squad for two weeks and can complete all training work. He is available for selection, although Gasperini noted that the coming long break could be useful for a player who has not featured in competitive matches for some time. Friendly games may be considered to help rebuild his match rhythm.
Wing decisions and a message for Massa
The right flank could carry particular importance in Roma’s selection. Young Lulli has emerged over only a handful of matches, and Gasperini said the player is moving through his development quickly rather than being judged solely as a prospect for the future.
“He needs a path as well, even if he is skipping steps quickly,” the coach said. “I am looking more at the present than the future, and I am happy with what he is doing.”
Molina and Wesley offer alternatives on either side of the pitch. Both are right-footed, Gasperini explained, but their different qualities allow them to operate on the right or left.
The coach was also asked about referee Davide Massa’s appointment, following the controversy around Wesley’s red card in Roma’s defeat at Como. Gasperini offered a short response: “Massa will be perfect tomorrow.”
