The fifth matchday of Serie A will be the last before the long international break. Starting this season, in fact, the early September and mid-October breaks have been combined into a single two-week pause, during which Italy and the other European national teams will play as many as four Nations League matches.
However, the weekend features some big games in Serie A, above all the one already being dubbed the title showdown between Roma and Inter, which will be played on Saturday, September 19 at 18:00 at the Olimpico. These two teams, along with Como, have shown the best football so far, and it’s Roma and Inter who top the Serie A table after five rounds with 12 points each, thanks to a perfect record of four wins apiece.
The clash at the Olimpico obviously won’t decide the title, as we’re only at matchday five, but it will provide important indications about both sides, who are expected to be in the thick of the title race until the end of the season.
Roma vs Inter: The Numbers
Roma (12) and Inter (13) are the two highest-scoring teams in this Serie A campaign, with the Giallorossi also boasting the league’s best defense, having conceded just one goal heading into this big match.
Matches between Roma and Inter, incidentally, have produced the most goals in Serie A history so far (a whopping 540 goals in 186 encounters).
Inter have remained unbeaten in 16 of their last 18 Serie A matches against Roma, and more specifically, the Nerazzurri have won 9 of the last 11 league meetings with the Giallorossi.
The Nerazzurri have also won each of their last five league matches away to Roma, scoring 11 goals and conceding just 2.
Roma come into this big match on the back of 9 consecutive Serie A wins—stretching across last season and this one—and only once in their history have they reached 10 straight wins: 11 between May and October 2013, and another 11 between December 2005 and February 2006.
What Kind of Match Can We Expect from Roma and Inter?
There’s huge anticipation for this clash, and while both teams have been prolific so far, it’s not a given that we’ll see a goal-fest at the Olimpico.
Gasperini will stick with his usual 3-4-2-1, looking to get Malen—who has already scored 6 goals this season and 20 in total since arriving in Serie A last January—firing as soon as possible. Chivu will need to cut off supply lines to the Dutchman, but can also cause problems down the flanks with Diouf on the right and the returning Dimarco on the left, plus the Thuram-Lautaro duo, who will both start again at the Olimpico.
We expect a tactical battle in the first half, with the game potentially opening up after the break.
Probable Lineups for Roma vs Inter
Gasperini has no injuries or suspensions to contend with and will be able to field his best eleven. Lulli is expected to keep his place at right wing-back, with Wesley therefore playing on the left. In central defense, Ndicka seems to have the edge over Balerdi, who is nonetheless highly regarded by Gasperini.
Chivu has a few more selection headaches, as he’ll be without the injured Stones and Calhanoglu, and Spence is still not ready to be called up. Akanji returns to the heart of defense, while in midfield Zielinski will step in for the Turkish midfielder, with Jones keeping his place in the starting lineup.
Probable Lineups:
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, Konè, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen. Manager: Gasperini
Inter (3-5-2): Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones, Dimarco; M. Thuram, Lautaro Martinez. Manager: Chivu
All the fixtures for Serie A Matchday 5
Friday, September 18:
Monza-Sassuolo 20:45
Saturday, September 19:
Udinese-Cagliari 15:00
Bologna-Torino 15:00
Roma-Inter 18:00
Venezia-Lazio 20:45
Sunday, September 20:
Fiorentina-Napoli 12:30
Parma-Genoa 15:00
Frosinone-Como 15:00
Juventus-Atalanta 18:00
Milan-Lecce 20:45