Roma approached the meeting with Inter at the Olimpico carrying the early confidence of a side that has made a clean start, but with its sporting director Tony D’Amico careful to place the evening within a much longer Serie A season.
The decision
After four rounds, Roma and Inter were both still perfect in the league and arrived for the fifth-matchday meeting among the early contenders for the Scudetto. D’Amico nevertheless resisted treating a September fixture as a verdict on the title race.
He described Inter, the reigning Italian champions, as the current benchmark in the division: a strong, complete team and the side Roma want to measure themselves against. For Roma, he said, facing the league’s leading reference point represented a major source of motivation.
D’Amico also outlined the thinking behind the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi. Roma wanted greater experience in defence, he explained, while stressing that the player remains young. The club value his physical strength and pace, and had monitored him for several years before an opportunity emerged in the final week of the transfer window to complete the deal on favourable terms.
The sporting director said Roma were particularly pleased not only with Balerdi’s footballing profile, but with the personal qualities they consider significant when assembling the squad.
Asked about his exchange with Luca Percassi following Roma’s match against Atalanta, D’Amico declined to revisit the episode. With a major occasion and a full stadium ahead, he said Roma’s attention should remain on the game, its immediate task and what lies ahead.
There was better news on Manu Koné, who had returned to availability for Gian Piero Gasperini. D’Amico said the midfielder was well and that his recovery was important to the side. He also underlined Roma’s need for contributions across the group, with a demanding run of fixtures to follow the international break.
“Manu is fine,” D’Amico said. “We are happy with the whole squad. Whoever is called upon each Sunday always gives something, and after the break there will be many matches. We will need everyone.”
Sunday’s picture
The Olimpico contest brought together two unbeaten teams after four Serie A matches, each on maximum points. It was too early for a definitive championship judgement, but significant enough to show whether Roma’s early momentum could stand alongside the champions’ established authority.
