Capello sees Roma as a serious challenger to Inter for the Serie A title

AS Roma have made a perfect start to the 2026/27 Serie A season, and Fabio Capello believes the early results point to more than a bright opening. The former Roma coach sees Gian Piero Gasperini’s side as a serious challenger to Inter Milan for the Scudetto.

Roma and Inter are the only teams with nine points from their first three matches. Capello, who led Roma to the 2000/01 title, highlighted the team’s aggressive approach, willingness to contest one-on-one duels and readiness to help each other after losing possession.

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Roma play one-on-one, all-out, and most importantly, they have a proactive style in which everyone helps each other.

“Roma play one-on-one, all-out, and most importantly, they have a proactive style in which everyone helps each other,” Capello said, according to Italian media. He also pointed to Roma’s options in the final third, where several creative players can work through tight spaces.

“When you have four or five quality players in the final third who know how to communicate in tight spaces, sooner or later something will happen,” he said.

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When you have four or five quality players in the final third who know how to communicate in tight spaces, sooner or later something will happen.

Roma showed that resilience against Atalanta on September 5. After falling behind, they recovered to win 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, with Mario Hermoso and Matias Soulé scoring late goals. Capello also praised Gasperini’s decision to build depth across the squad, with two quality players for each position. He said substitutions in the second half against Atalanta demonstrated the value of that depth.

Capello described the mood inside the squad as positive. Players who do not start, he said, remain motivated when opportunities arrive, suggesting that Gasperini has created healthy internal competition.

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Gasp wants two first-choice players in every position, and he is right. You could see the result at the Olimpico on Saturday, with the substitutions in the second half.