Nainggolan Calls Inter Serie A’s Standard-Setters Ahead of Roma Clash

Roma’s meeting with Inter at the Stadio Olimpico will offer Gian Piero Gasperini’s side a demanding measure of their progress, with Radja Nainggolan viewing the visitors as the standard-setters in Serie A. The former midfielder of both clubs believes Roma must remain positive, but says the outcome could hinge on defensive selection, goalkeeper form and Paulo Dybala’s ability to influence the biggest occasion.

What changed for Roma

Gasperini’s Roma have developed an increasingly attacking identity, and Nainggolan singled out Gianluca Mancini’s forward surges as an important feature of that approach. He also said Donyell Malen would have been a player he would have enjoyed sharing a side with in this system.

For the Inter match, however, Nainggolan feels Roma’s priority must be reliability at the back. He expects the choice of central defender to be particularly significant against Inter captain Lautaro Martinez.

• Mile Svilar was praised for maintaining the level he set last season.
• Nainggolan believes Paulo Dybala has the individual quality to settle a match of this scale.
• He would favour Roma’s most established defenders rather than risking Balerdi in such a high-pressure fixture, despite acknowledging that the club’s defenders have been performing well.

Nainggolan’s view is that respect for Inter should not mean a passive Roma display. The hosts need to attack when opportunities arise, while ensuring that their structure can withstand the visitors’ attacking strength.

Competition context

Inter arrive as the reigning champions and league leaders, with Cristian Chivu’s squad regarded by Nainggolan as the team to catch in the Scudetto race. He pointed to their strength beyond the starting XI and their appearances in two Champions League finals as evidence of a side equipped for the demands of a title campaign.

Nainggolan argued that Napoli’s Scudetto triumph two seasons ago owed much to Inter letting the championship slip, and said he currently sees no genuine rival matching the Nerazzurri’s level.

Goalkeeper Josep Martinez will also be under scrutiny. Nainggolan noted that Martinez is experiencing the pressure of a first campaign as first-choice goalkeeper, particularly after recent mistakes, in contrast to Svilar’s sustained consistency for Roma.

The fixture carries personal weight for Nainggolan, who retains a strong attachment to Roma. Now with Patro Eisden, he recalled that he had turned down approaches from Chelsea and clubs in China in order to remain in the Italian capital before his 2018 move to Inter. He said misleading assurances from Roma officials ultimately pushed him towards that transfer.

What comes next

Roma’s immediate decision concerns the composition of their defence for the visit of Inter, especially who will be tasked with limiting Lautaro Martinez. Nainggolan’s recommendation is clear: Gasperini should choose the players offering the greatest stability rather than introduce unnecessary uncertainty in a defining league match.

Inter, meanwhile, will seek to reinforce their position at the summit, while Roma have the opportunity to test whether their evolving side can overcome the limits they have encountered in previous high-profile contests. The Olimpico meeting will place Gasperini’s attacking ambition against the depth and experience of the champions.