D’Amico: ‘Roma motivated by Inter clash, worked quickly for Balerdi’

D’Amico: ‘Roma motivated by Inter clash, worked quickly for Balerdi’ Roma director Tony D’Amico focuses on the ‘motivation’ of hosting Inter and explains how they targeted Leonardo Balerdi on the market. ‘We worked quickly.’ It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST). You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog. There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off in every match, and Inter are wearing black armbands this evening, following the death of legend Sandro Mazzola at 83. D’Amico outlines Roma approach Official: Tony D’Amico joins Roma as the club’s new sporting director following four seasons with Atalanta (@ASRoma via X) The Giallorossi finished third last season and so far this term look like the most realistic Scudetto contenders, as these are the only sides with a 100 per cent record. “As the coach says, Inter are a reference point for everyone, especially as they are the reigning Champions of Italy,” D’Amico told DAZN Italia. “They are a complete team, so we know this is a difficult match, but it’s also great motivation for us to face them.” Roma have for the first time a full squad at their disposal, with Lorenzo Pellegrini finally back on the bench. Evan Ndicka had been expected to start, but former Olympique Marseille defender Balerdi instead gets his second game in the initial XI, with Nahuel Molina also featured. MARSEILLE, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 25: Leonardo Balerdi of Olympique de Marseille reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Olympique de Marseille and Newcastle United FC at Stade de Marseille on November 25, 2025 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) Balerdi was a surprise arrival, so how did that transfer come about? “We needed to reinforce the defence, especially with an experienced player. Balerdi is young, but has a lot of games under his belt, he has physical strength, quality, and we’ve been tracking him for a few years. We had the chance late in the session to bring him in with favourable conditions, and we worked quickly to make it happen. “Balerdi is not a surprise, we know his value, both on and off the field, which are important in building a team.” DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Manu Kone of AS Roma is challenged by Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) Manu Koné is also back in the starting XI after shaking off a muscular issue “Manu is doing well, so is everyone, and we know that whoever is called upon will give their contribution. There are so many fixtures, we will need everyone.” Did Inter take this opportunity to ask for the midfielder again? “No.” ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Bryan Cristante of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) These two teams have not played a draw since the 2-2 thriller in January 2021, followed by two Roma victories and 10 Inter wins in all competition. Curiously, both those wins were at San Siro, so there hasn’t been a home victory in this fixture since a 2-1 result in October 2016.