ROME - AS Roma are preparing for the big match against Inter with the awareness of facing the best opponent in the league. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini has labelled the Nerazzurri as the benchmark team in Italian and European football, ahead of tonight's 6pm clash at the Stadio Olimpico that could see the Giallorossi go clear at the top.
The capital side, leading the table with a perfect 12 points from four games, spent the night before the match at their Trigoria training ground. A choice by the coach to focus energy and leave as little as possible to chance in a fixture that could decide first place. "I believe they are still the reference team, they are doing extraordinary things in Italy and in Europe," Gasperini stated.
Pellegrini and Hermoso return
On the pitch, Gasperini will have Lorenzo Pellegrini available again after an injury. Defending Rui Patricio's goal will be the central pairing of Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka, with Mario Hermoso having overcome an ankle issue and set to start. The attack remains entrusted to the Donyell Malen-Paulo Dybala tandem, with the former already scoring 6 goals in 4 appearances this season. Competition for a starting spot in the attacking midfield roles is between Niccolò Pisilli, scorer of the sealing goal against Torino, and Matías Soulé.
A double taboo to break
The clash with Inter carries a double taboo to break. Roma have not beaten the Nerazzurri at home in ten years, while Gasperini personally has lost his last ten matches against them as a manager. "There was a period when I managed to get results against Inter, then in recent years it has always been defeats," the coach admitted, observing how the change of managers in Milan has not changed the outcome for him.
He stressed that for a game like this, no special mental preparation is needed, just serenity and focus on the pitch. His concern is maintaining enthusiasm in a city, Rome, that tends to swing between elation and depression. A win against their main rival, second in the table two points behind, would be a powerful signal for the whole season. All details on the upcoming schedule are on our fixtures page, while the updated table can be checked in the standings. The team taking the field tonight will be the strongest possible, aiming to consolidate a perfect start to the campaign.
This story first appeared at ANSA Sport
