Inter vs. Roma: Chivu, Gasp, an Unmissable Clash

With the final international break of the season now over, one that has been defined by Italy’s painful elimination from the 2026 World Cup, Serie A Enilive looks to ease the disappointment of the Azzurri’s elimination. Matchday 31 features a series of pivotal fixtures that could significantly reshape the standings. The key clashes in the title race and fight for a Champions League spot will be Inter vs. Roma (Sunday at 20:45 CEST) and Napoli vs. Milan (Monday at 20:45 CEST). The San Siro showdown between the Nerazzurri and the Giallorossi will turn up the intensity, with the points at stake carrying huge weight. Chivu could establish a nine-point lead over Milan, placing huge pressure on both the Rossoneri and Napoli and effectively forcing them into an all-or-nothing chase for top spot. Gasperini’s intentions are equally apparent: Roma must win in Milan to keep their Champions League hopes alive. The Giallorossi have only earned four points from their last four games, slipping down the table behind Como, who are rising at lightning speed, and now sitting level with Juventus in fifth place.

Inter: Lautaro returns, and former Roma player Mkhitaryan misses out

Italy’s defeat to Bosnia has inevitably had an emotional impact on the Azzurri involved in the playoffs. Chivu welcomes back five players (Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella, Frattesi, and Esposito), and his priority is to ensure a quick mental reset ahead of the demanding clash with Roma. Another team that did not manage to qualify for the World Cup is Zieliński’s Poland, who were beaten 3–2 in Sweden. On a positive note, Turkey, captained by Çalhanoglu, has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2002. Whereas Thuram, Sučić, Akanji, Dumfries, and De Vrij only took part in friendlies during the break.

Lautaro Martínez stayed behind to focus on recovery and is still working his way back to full fitness. Whether or not he is involved against Roma will depend on how he feels in training. The likely starting partnership is Thuram and Esposito, with Bonny as an option from the bench. Mkhitaryan will be unavailable due to an injury in his left thigh, with Sučić expected to replace him. Coach Chivu will not be on the touchline after being sent off late in Inter 1–1 Atalanta. The squad are looking to deliver a strong performance in a big match, which has previously been one of their weaknesses in an otherwise stellar Serie A campaign. Inter come into the match on the back of two consecutive draws, which have allowed Milan to close in on the gap slightly. The league leaders still hold a comfortable advantage (+6 over Milan, +7 over Napoli), but last season’s finale serves as both a warning and motivation in their push for a 21st Scudetto.

Roma: several absences, Malen to lead the attack

Roma will also be feeling the impact of Italy’s heartbreak: Pisilli, Cristante, and Mancini return to Trigoria needing a morale boost, requiring Gasperini to bring renewed energy to the squad for the run-in. Poland’s Ziółkowski will also be in need of this renewed energy, while Çelik celebrates Turkey’s qualification with Inter’s Çalhanoğlu. Other players returning from international duty include Tsimikas, Malen, Venturino, El Aynaoui, and N’Dicka, who are all available for the trip to San Siro.

However, there are serious injury concerns for Roma. Unless there are last-minute recoveries, Dybala, Wesley, Koné, Dovbik, and Ferguson are all expected to sit out. Soulé is also struggling with a muscle issue, but could come on from the bench. Pellegrini and Pisilli will likely play just behind Malen, who will lead the frontline. Apart from this, the line-up seems clear, and substitutes such as Robinio Vaz and Zaragoza could prove decisive in the second half. Gasperini will look to make the most of any opportunities with the knowledge that losing further ground to Como could severely damage Roma’s Champions League ambitions.

First encounter

Inter won the reverse fixture on 18 October thanks to a goal by Bonny, set up by a brilliant through ball from Barella early in the game. Roma were then forced to press for the rest of the match. Gasperini’s team controlled possession and tried to play with quality in the opposition half, but struggled to find space in the first half. In the second half, Dybala, Çelik, and Dovbik all came close to equalising, with the Ukrainian player missing a vital aerial chance from close range. Late into the game, former Roma player Mkhitaryan hit the post on the counterattack, highlighting Inter’s effectiveness on the break at the Olimpico. The win in the capital was Chivu’s only victory in direct clashes during the first half of the season. Nearly six months on, another win over Roma could pave the way for a crucial advantage in the fight for the title. On the other hand, Gasperini is still on the hunt for his first win against Inter, and there is plenty of anticipation about the tactical approach he will adopt for this crucial encounter.

Inter vs. Roma marks a make-or-break clash and a chance for either team to reach their goals. Let the show begin.