Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces Inter today, having lost each of his last 10 meetings with the Nerazzurri.
Saturday’s game between Roma and Inter at the Stadio Olimpico is arguably the biggest match in Serie A Round 5.
Roma and Inter have won all their opening four Serie A matches. The Nerazzurri have the best attack, whereas the Giallorossi have the least-beaten defence.
Gasperini’s poor record against Inter
The two teams look as close as ever, but matches against Inter have always been challenging for Roma’s coach, Gasperini.
The Italian tactician has lost all of his latest ten matches against Inter, winning just five games from 36, drawing nine times and losing 22.
However, when a reporter asked the Roma boss whether Inter are his “kryptonite,” Gasperini played down the suggestion.
“There was a period when I often got results with Inter; in recent years, it hasn’t been like that,” he said at a press conference on the eve of the game.
“The coaches have also changed. Conte, Inzaghi, Chivu, and the result hasn’t changed,” he added, smiling.
“I think Inter have done this to other teams too. I had experienced the same thing before against Juventus.”
Gasperini hasn’t won any of his last 17 games against Inter, with his most recent victory against the Nerazzurri dating back to November 2018 (Atalanta 4-1 Inter).
Gasperini is also a former Inter coach, but his tenure in the 2011-12 season lasted only 73 days, as he collected four defeats and one draw in five games across all competitions, forcing the Nerazzurri to replace him with Claudio Ranieri.
Fast forward to today, Roma have a full squad available for today’s fixture against Inter, while the Nerazzurri have travelled to the capital without Djed Spence, John Stones and Hakan Calhanoglu.
Roma have not won the Scudetto since the 2000-01 season under Fabio Capello, and fans in the capital have big expectations for the current campaign, especially after such a strong start.
“Of course, we have to play, and of course-when things go less well, there’s always the risk of getting depressed; but now we don’t have to think about it,” Gasperini added.
“Let’s think about the match, the wait, our environment. I think these are the good games to play.
“I believe Inter are the benchmark team in the league.”
In just a few hours, we’ll find out if Gasp can finally overcome his kryptonite.
