Radja Nainggolan knows what Roma-Inter can mean when the two clubs meet with the upper reaches of Serie A in view. The Belgian midfielder wore both shirts, and his two goals at San Siro for Roma in 2017 remain among the more vivid memories of the fixture. Ahead of the latest meeting at the Olimpico, however, his judgement is clear: Inter remain the team to beat in the title race.
“Inter are still the favourites for the Scudetto,” Nainggolan said. “Roma have begun well and they are a strong side, but matches of this kind have often been a hurdle for them in the past. This will show whether they really have something more this season.”
Now playing for Patro Eisden, Nainggolan sees the difference largely in Inter’s construction over recent years. Their two Champions League final appearances, together with the depth available to the squad, leave him convinced that the Nerazzurri have no genuine rival at present. He also believes Inter effectively let Napoli take the title two seasons ago rather than being conclusively beaten over the campaign.
That does not mean Roma should approach the match cautiously. Nainggolan feels Gasperini’s side have developed a clearer identity and improved on last season, with Gianluca Mancini’s willingness to join attacks among the signs he notices. Respect for Inter, he argued, should not prevent Roma from playing their own game.
The goalkeepers offer another point of contrast going into Sunday. Mile Svilar impressed throughout last term and has continued at the same level, while Josep Martínez is still in his first season as Inter’s regular starter. Nainggolan pointed to Martínez’s mistake on Udinese’s second goal, but framed it as part of a goalkeeper’s development. “A keeper has to make errors in order to learn,” he said, adding that the number of saves Martínez has been required to make may also indicate shortcomings in the protection offered by Inter’s defence.
It leaves Cristian Chivu with a demanding afternoon, while Roma have their own major selection decision at centre-back. The choice between Evan Ndicka and Leonardo Balerdi is especially significant given the task of containing Lautaro Martínez. Nainggolan considers Roma’s defenders to be in good form but would favour the more dependable options for a match against opposition of Inter’s level, suggesting that using Balerdi could carry a degree of risk.
At the other end, he believes Paulo Dybala remains the player capable of altering the course of the contest. “He can make the difference in these games,” Nainggolan said of the Argentine. “He is a fantastic player, and I hope he keeps going this way.”
His attachment to Roma still runs deeper than his Inter spell. Nainggolan said the capital club gave him his first opportunity in Serie A and insisted he would not have chosen to leave. He recalled turning down proposals from Chelsea and clubs in China in order to remain in Rome, while acknowledging that his departure followed disagreements that cut against his own principles.
“I did everything for Roma and the supporters respected me,” he said. “But my personality is what it is: I cannot stand dishonesty or false people. When something goes against my values, I leave. At that time, I was sadder about leaving Roma than I was happy about joining Inter.”
He can even picture himself in Gasperini’s present side. Comparing the current forward movement of Donyell Malen with the different reference-point role once performed by Edin Dzeko, Nainggolan said he would have enjoyed this version of Roma. It is a thought shaped by another era, but it also underlines why this fixture still carries particular weight for him: Roma-Inter is not merely a meeting of title contenders, but a return to a rivalry that has marked much of his Italian career.
