Roma Director D'Amico: Inter Milan Sets the Standard; Kone? Inter Milan Haven't Spoken to Us

On September 19, 2024, ahead of the Round 5 Serie A showdown between Roma and Inter Milan, Roma's sporting director Toni D'Amico spoke to DAZN.

"As our coach has said, Inter Milan is a benchmark for us. After all, they are the defending Serie A champions; they are a strong team, balanced in every department, and competing against such a top side is a motivation for us," Toni D'Amico stated.

Can you tell us about Balerdi's situation?

"We needed to bring in an experienced defender to strengthen our defense. Although he's young, he has accumulated significant competitive experience. I've been monitoring him for a few years, and a favorable opportunity to sign him came in the final week before the transfer window closed. We acted quickly, and now we're very pleased to have him. We know his qualities well—both as a player and as a person—just as we know all the players in our squad."

What happened between you and Luca Percassi after the Roma-Atalanta match?

"I think in an atmosphere like this before a big match, at a stadium like this, we should focus on enjoying the game. We're hoping for an ideal result, and as for what comes after, we'll address that later."

How important is Kone's return from injury?

"Kone is in good form, and we're very satisfied with him, just as we are with the entire squad. We know that everyone can contribute, and we trust in the team's strength—especially after the international break, when the schedule will become very demanding. We hope he'll also perform well tonight."