Roma vs. Inter lineups: Dimarco returns, Bisseck steps up for the summit

The Scudetto showdown is here. Chivu restores Dimarco to the flank and hands Bisseck a massive start as the Nerazzurri take on Roma for the league lead.

The return of the king

The official team sheets at the Stadio Olimpico are out, and the biggest sigh of relief for the Interisti traveling to the capital is the presence of Federico Dimarco in the starting XI. After missing out recently through injury, our numerical metronome on the left wing is back. Dimarco’s return is vital for providing the tactical width and crossing quality that were occasionally missing during his absence. With Sky Sport reporting he passed a late fitness test, Chivu has wisely restored him to a role where he will likely be the primary outlet against Roma’s narrow defensive block.

Bisseck takes the mantle

With John Stones officially sidelined, the spotlight falls squarely on Yann Bisseck. Fresh off his first senior call-up for Germany, the "Wall of Bonn" occupies the right side of our defensive trio alongside Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni. This is the ultimate litmus test for Bisseck’s progression; he is tasked with patrolling the zone occupied by Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. It’s a young, aggressive backline that Chivu has trusted, moving away from the more conservative options to ensure we remain proactive against Roma’s technical front three.

Midfield grit without Hakan

In the absence of Hakan Çalhanoğlu, the midfield engine room looks significantly different. Piotr Zieliński takes the keys as the central orchestrator, flanked by Curtis Jones and Nicolò Barella. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, this trio is designed for high-intensity pressing and quick vertical transitions. Jones’s energy and Barella’s tireless roaming will be essential to disrupt the Giallorossi’s rhythm, especially with Andy Diouf pushed wide to provide an explosive threat on the right flank. It’s a lineup built for combat, reflecting the high stakes of this first-versus-fourth encounter.

The heavyweights lead the line

Up top, there are no surprises as the "ThuLa" partnership is reunited from the first whistle. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram represent our best hope of dismantling a Roma defense led by Ndicka and Hermoso. Given our defensive volatility against Udinese, the mandate for the front two is clear: be clinical. Inter cannot afford to waste chances tonight. If we want to reclaim the summit of Serie A before the international break, our superstars need to deliver a performance that matches the two stars on their jerseys.

I’m relieved Dimarco is back, but Bisseck starting against Dybala gives me serious ansia. The German giant has the physicality, but Dybala has the cunning to draw fouls and exploit space. The midfield looks industrious with Curtis Jones, but we will miss Hakan’s calm when Roma starts to press. We are essentially going to war without our architect and our best defender—Barella needs to be everywhere tonight. Let’s bring home three points and take back what’s ours.

Do you think Yann Bisseck is ready to handle the creative threat of Dybala, or should Chivu have opted for a more experienced head in such a high-stakes game?

Forza Inter sempre!