Roma and Inter arrive level on maximum points, with Saturday’s meeting at the Olimpico offering one of them an early chance to put daylight between themselves and the rest of Serie A.
Roma v Inter: an early summit meeting at the Olimpico
The decision
The fifth round brings Roma and Inter together on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, in a match that carries more weight than its place on the calendar might usually suggest. Both sides have begun perfectly, and the winner would become the first club to create a gap at the summit.
Gian Piero Gasperini is set to welcome Evan Ndicka back into his starting plans after the defender resumed full work with the squad at Trigoria. Ndicka has also been called up by Ivory Coast for upcoming matches against Ghana, Somalia and Cameroon. Mario Hermoso, meanwhile, has followed an individual programme after a minor ankle knock.
Roma’s attacking plan is expected to feature Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen, with Soulé currently ahead of Mora. Gasperini wants his two creative players to contribute without the ball as well, dropping deeper when Inter are in possession before finding room between the lines when Roma move forward.
Dybala has supplied four assists so far, but the coach also wants a greater threat in front of goal from the Argentine, whose Serie A scoring drought has now lasted eight months. Wesley’s return to group training gives Roma another option on the flank, where his overlapping runs could support Soulé. His contest with Inter’s Diouf is likely to be one of the important individual battles of the evening.
For Cristian Chivu, the central issue is how to balance protection against a Roma side that has conceded only once in the league. Roma also possess the division’s least-beaten goalkeeper, making patience and precision essential for Inter.
Piotr Zielinski is expected to continue in midfield in place of the injured Hakan Calhanoglu, who is not expected back until after the international break. Curtis Jones, used from the bench in each of Inter’s league games so far, is now in serious contention for his first start.
Jones could offer Inter different routes through the middle and the ability to drift wide, creating another option alongside Federico Dimarco, who is also ready to return from the start. Luis Henrique is competing for the right flank, while Manuel Akanji could take the central role in a back three with Yann Bisseck and Alessandro Bastoni.
There are fewer doubts in attack. The ThuLa partnership is expected to lead the line, with Lautaro Martinez having rested after remaining on the sidelines on Monday. Inter’s captain should be fresh for the first direct confrontation between the league leaders.
Sunday’s picture
The table will look different after the Olimpico. Roma and Inter cannot both preserve their perfect records if there is a winner, and a draw would leave the two clubs side by side at the top. For now, this is not a decisive night in the title race, but it is an early test of authority for two teams seeking to make the rest of the championship take notice.
SEO title: Roma v Inter: Gasperini and Chivu prepare for Serie A summit clash
SEO description: Roma and Inter meet at the Olimpico level on maximum points, with Ndicka, Dybala, Zielinski, Curtis Jones and Lautaro Martinez central to the fifth-round contest.
