Gasperini brushes off Inter talk with quip ahead of Olimpico showdown

Gian Piero Gasperini hailed Leonardo Balerdi as 'a strong, very strong defender' after Roma's 2-0 victory over Torino, drawing a comparison to the legendary Franco Baresi while acknowledging he could not place Balerdi in that company. In his post-match press conference, Gasperini described Balerdi as 'a modern defender, physically strong and quick', praising his recovery capabilities and overall interpretation of the role. Gasperini emphasised the importance of rotating his squad and bringing on fresh attacking talent. With Roma playing their third match in eight days, he explained his decision to substitute Donyell Malen despite the winger's fine form alongside Paulo Dybala. "We must grow the squad as much as possible," Gasperini said. "If attackers play 90 minutes all the time they are not in condition to play. If you manage to spare them 20–30 minutes, they can then handle more matches in the week. There is also the need to develop players who must follow in the footsteps of champions like Dybala and Malen. They must take the example not only technically but also in temperament, in the will to do things, to be protagonists. If we can do this, the squad becomes stronger." Gasperini credited both Roma's quality play in the first half and their resilience in the second. "We had a very good first half even if in terms of quality in the final 16–20 metres we could have done better," he said. "Then there is the opponent who can change the cards on the table. We had to live also on temperament, perhaps being less beautiful but always concrete. In the end we also doubled the score at the end. This is a fundamental aspect." Looking ahead to Inter, Gasperini said: "Inter is the reference team for our league, considered the strongest. Although Como is close. For us it is an occasion to measure ourselves. Last year we took a heavy defeat from them but from there was born the true Roma. Not only in results but also in mentality. In the away match it was a more fought game where perhaps we deserved something more."

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 Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as elite talents who enhance each other after Roma's 4-2 victory over Torino in the Serie A fourth round at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on 14 September. The partnership, formed eight months earlier, has become a focal point of Roma's attacking play this season. Gasperini said: "The satisfaction is there from everyone. It is beautiful for the fans and those who love football to see two champions who manage to create practically every game goal-scoring situations, very dangerous opportunities. Beyond being individually strong they complement each other enormously, they have crucial links that they manage to convert into goals." He defended rotating Malen during the match, citing the demands of playing three fixtures in eight days and the need to develop younger squad members. "If we can save 20–30 minutes for the attackers they can play more matches in a week," he explained. "Then we have the necessity, we have players who must grow and become important, following the example of champions like Malen and Dybala. They must not only take the technical example, but also the temperament, the desire to be decisive and protagonists." On Roma's defensive solidity in the Torino match, Gasperini said: "We played an excellent game, then there is also the opponent who can change cards on the table with fresh and dangerous people. We had to live in temperament, perhaps being a little less beautiful but always concrete and strong also in defensive phase. In the final we also doubled, but this is a fundamental aspect." Regarding Leonardo Balerdi, the defender drew comparisons to a modern profile: "A defender, very strong. He is certainly a modern defender, strong physically and fast. I cannot bring up certain names—a central defender like that was Baresi. But without going to disturb him, for how he interprets the role with aggression and speed in recoveries plus participation in play... Baresi was number 1 absolute, nobody goes to touch him, but as characteristics we are there." Gasperini also provided updates on squad availability: Wesley sustained a heavy knock in the previous match and had not fully recovered, while Evan N'Dicka suffered an influenza attack overnight and did not travel to the stadium. On Santiago Castro's development, Gasperini said: "He is doing very well in all situations in which he is involved. Compared to the start he is in good condition. We all expect a lot from him but we are very convinced because he is a guy who deserves it and who has great qualities." Roma now prepare to face Inter.