Balerdi on aggressive defending and winning mentality ahead of Torino

Leonardo Balerdi earned praise from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Roma's victory over Torino, despite Donyell Malen being named the match MVP. The Argentine defender played all 90 minutes at a high level and made decisive interventions that contributed to the win. Gasperini spoke warmly about Balerdi in his post-match press conference, highlighting his qualities as a modern defender. The coach drew a comparison to one of Italian football's greatest players: "Who does he remind me of? Balerdi is a strong defender, very strong. He is certainly a modern defender, physically strong and quick. I cannot invoke a certain name — a central defender like that was Baresi. But without going there, the way he interprets the role with aggression and speed in recoveries as well as participation in the game... Baresi was number one absolutely, no one touches that, but in terms of characteristics we are there." Gasperini's assessment suggests Balerdi has already won over both his manager and the Roma supporters.

Gian Piero Gasperini praised Roma's performance following their away win against Torino, highlighting the partnership between Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as a defining strength. Speaking to DAZN after the match, the head coach emphasised the quality and complementarity of the two forwards: "The satisfaction is there from everyone, and it is beautiful for fans and those who love football to see two champions who can materialise practically every match with goalscoring situations and dangerous opportunities. Beyond being strong individually, they complete each other greatly, they have crucial combinations that they manage to turn into goals." Gasperini explained his decision to substitute Malen during the match as part of a broader strategy to develop the squad. "We absolutely must grow the squad as much as possible," he said. "This was our third match in eight days, and especially the strikers, if they always play 90 minutes, cannot repeat themselves in every game. If we can spare them 20–30 minutes, they can play more matches in a week. We also have the necessity to have players grow who must become important in the wake of champions like Malen and Dybala. They must not only take the technical example but also one of temperament and desire to perform, desire to be decisive and protagonists. If we manage this, the squad becomes stronger." On the nature of the victory, Gasperini noted it differed from Roma's three previous league wins through its tactical demands. "It is undoubted," he said. "Torino also made important changes tonight that raised the level of the game. We played an excellent first half, although in quality in the final 16–20 metres we could have done a bit better. We played a very good match, and then there is also the opponent who can change cards on the table with fresh and dangerous people. We had to live through temperament, perhaps being a bit less beautiful but always concrete and strong in defence. In the end we also doubled, but this is fundamental." Gasperini compared defender Leonardo Balerdi to Franco Baresi, calling him "a strong defender, very strong. Certainly a modern defender, strong physically and fast. Without name-dropping someone, a central defender like that was Baresi. But without going to invoke him, for how he interprets the role with aggression and speed in recoveries plus participation in the game... Baresi was number 1 in absolute terms, nobody touches him, but as characteristics we are there." Looking ahead, Gasperini acknowledged Roma's upcoming fixture against Inter, recalling last season's encounters. "We have a few days," he said. "Last year there was a difference. On the return we took a bad thrashing but from there the true Roma was born. There was an escalation, not only of results but also of attitudes, behaviours and mentality. In the first match it was more contested, we conceded a goal early but perhaps we deserved something more. Inter is the team of reference in our league for everyone, it is a strong team and rightly indicated by all as the strongest. Although in my opinion Como are very close to them. It is also an opportunity for us to measure ourselves and do better than our recent matches."

Niccolò Pisilli spoke after Roma's match against Torino in Serie A's fourth round, reflecting on the team's approach during the contest. Pisilli acknowledged that Torino are a good side and that Roma needed time to find their rhythm early on. Once they did, the team began winning more possession in advanced areas and creating more chances. "We must continue like this, pressing and putting them in difficulty," Pisilli said of Roma's tactical approach going forward.

Roma made it four consecutive Serie A victories without conceding a goal as Donyell Malen's first-half strike and a late Niccolò Pisilli finish secured a 2–0 win at Torino on 14 September 2026. Mile Svilar recorded his third clean sheet in four matches, with Pisilli adding the second goal in deep stoppage time. The result kept Roma on a perfect record of 12 points from four matches with an aggregate score of 12–1. The run marks only the fifth time in the club's history that Roma have started a Serie A campaign with four straight wins, matching 1952–53, 1960–61, 2013–14 and 2014–15. The 1960–61 season stands out as the only previous era before Gasperini in which Roma scored more than ten goals across those four fixtures, recording 14. Roma have now extended their consecutive league wins to nine overall, spanning five matches from the end of last season and the four so far this term. Only twice in club history have Roma recorded longer winning streaks: eleven wins from December 2005 to February 2006, and eleven from May to October 2013. Malen has scored six goals in his first four Serie A matches this season, making him the third player in Roma's history to reach that figure in the opening four games alongside Pedro Manfredini (seven in 1960–61) and Francesco Totti (six in 2001–02). The Dutch forward has also been involved in at least one goal in each of his last five away league matches, registering seven goals and one assist across that run. Gasperini again demonstrated bold selection by withdrawing Malen despite the scoreline remaining in the balance, reinforcing his confidence in the attacking unit. Gasperini deployed Dybala and Matías Soulé in support of Malen, a partnership that originated eight months earlier at Turin and has become a core feature. In midfield, Pisilli partnered Bryan Cristante, producing what the article describes as a dominant display capped by his clinical finish despite cramping. Leonardo Balerdi earned particular praise for a commanding defensive performance, with Gasperini drawing comparison to the great Franco Baresi. Roma host Inter in the next Serie A round, bringing an early test of their title credentials.

Leonardo Balerdi earned praise from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Roma's victory over Torino, despite Donyell Malen being named the match MVP. The Argentine defender played all 90 minutes at a high level and made decisive interventions that contributed to the win. Gasperini spoke warmly about Balerdi in his post-match press conference, highlighting his qualities as a modern defender. The coach drew a comparison to one of Italian football's greatest players: "Who does he remind me of? Balerdi is a strong defender, very strong. He is certainly a modern defender, physically strong and quick. I cannot invoke a certain name — a central defender like that was Baresi. But without going there, the way he interprets the role with aggression and speed in recoveries as well as participation in the game... Baresi was number one absolutely, no one touches that, but in terms of characteristics we are there." Gasperini's assessment suggests Balerdi has already won over both his manager and the Roma supporters.

Roma claimed a fourth consecutive victory with a 2–0 away win at Torino, goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli propelling Gasperini's side to the top of Serie A on a perfect 12-point record. Malen, who had an effort ruled out for offside in the 23rd minute, finally broke through in the first-half closing stages after Gianluca Mancini recovered a loose ball high up the pitch and Paulo Dybala sent him clear; after Torino goalkeeper Perri made a first save, Malen converted the rebound from ground level. The Dutch forward has now scored six goals in four matches and leads the league's scoring chart. With Evan N'Dicka sidelined by gastroenteritis, Gasperini handed Leonardo Balerdi a first start alongside Mancini and Mario Hermoso. The makeshift defence held firm throughout, particularly in the second half when Balerdi pulled off a decisive clearance on Cristiano Bragança in the 76th minute as Torino pressed for an equaliser. Giovani Simeone had the home side's best chance after the interval, but Mile Svilar's positioning denied him. Gasperini introduced Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro, Marten de Roon and Manu Koné as Roma controlled the closing stages. Pisilli sealed the win in stoppage time to add a second clean sheet in four games and maintain Gasperini's 100 per cent record since his appointment.