Gasperini praises Balerdi after Roma's 2-0 win over Torino; relishes Inter test ahead

Gian Piero Gasperini deflected questions about Inter's struggles during his post-match press conference following Roma's victory against Torino. When a journalist opened with the message "Inter are losing, boss", Gasperini responded with humour: "But what time is it?" He then stood to leave, before clarifying with a smile: "2-2, not 0-2"—a reference to Udinese's scoreline—making clear he has no interest in discussing the scudetto at this stage of the season. Roma arrive at Saturday's clash against Inter at the Olimpico unbeaten, having won all four of their opening league fixtures: victories over Fiorentina, Lecce, Atalanta and Torino. The fixture kicks off at 18:00 and represents Roma's first direct clash of the campaign against Chivu's Inter side. The meeting comes as Roma continue their strong start to the 2026-27 season with maximum points from four matches.

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.

Leonardo Balerdi was among the standout performers in Roma's victory at Torino. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised the Argentine defender in his post-match press conference, drawing a comparison to Franco Baresi for certain qualities of his play. Roma supporters on social media have responded enthusiastically, flooding Balerdi's posts with comments including "Protect me everywhere" and "Our wall", alongside images of Paolo Maldini wearing the Milan captain's armband — a comparison that may be tongue-in-cheek, or perhaps not. The former Marseille player is establishing himself as a commanding force in Roma's defence, and Gasperini will find it increasingly difficult to leave him out of the team after another flawless performance. Balerdi's strong showing has cemented his growing importance to the backline and the confidence Roma's fanbase is placing in the 24-year-old's contribution to the side.

Roma secured a fourth-league-day victory at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on 14 September, defeating Torino 2-0 with goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli in injury time. The away side controlled the match throughout, with Mile Svilar making crucial saves and the defence operating as a cohesive unit in the absence of injured defender Evan N'Dicka. Leonardo Balerdi emerged as the standout performer, producing a display of considerable authority and winning almost every contested duel. His ball recovery prevented what could have been a difficult passage late in the contest. Gianluca Mancini returned to form after recent underwhelming displays, his pressing intensity yielding the ball recovery that led to Roma's opening goal. The structure was solid: Bryan Cristante played with experience in midfield, leaving the creative burden to Paulo Dybala, who dribbled, created and provided service as expected before tiring in the second half. Malen's goal came after a run of two matches without scoring, with his movement in the opposition box consistently threatening. Pisilli's late finish sealed the outcome and relieved pressure in the closing stages. Substitutions proved effective: Marten de Roon entered at the hour mark and demonstrated his value by recovering several important possessions, while Santiago Castro came on to add attacking energy—though only partially succeeding as Roma's overall intensity dipped. Nahuel Molina, deployed on the left in the absence of Wesley, convinced despite some wayward crosses, offering dangerous crossing opportunities. Matías Soulé lacked precision in key moments, whilst Mario Hermoso and Emanuele Lulli showed solidity at the back. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini earned a 7.5 rating for orchestrating a deserved victory through control of possession and match tempo, demonstrating confidence in rotating the squad with successful results.

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.

Roma extended their perfect league record with a 2-0 away victory at Torino, goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli securing three points. The win keeps Gasperini's side at the top of Serie A with a 100% record from their opening fixtures.

Roma will return to training at Trigoria on the morning of 15 September following their victory over Torino, where Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli scored the decisive goals. The session comes in preparation for a pivotal Serie A fixture against Inter on Saturday evening, with kickoff at 18:00. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will assess the fitness of several squad members ahead of the match, which will also set the tone for Roma's season-long ambitions. Evan N'Dicka is being monitored after an influenza complaint, while Wesley and Manu Koné are not yet at full fitness. The Inter match represents a key appointment in the campaign that will help define Roma's domestic championship aspirations.

Roma extended their perfect start to the season with a 2–0 away victory at Torino in the fourth round of Serie A, with goals from Malen and Pisilli. The win maintained their unbeaten record of four consecutive victories. Ahead of their next fixture against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 19 September at 18:00, the squad will return to training on 15 September morning at Trigoria.

Roma secured a fourth-league-day victory at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on 14 September, defeating Torino 2-0 with goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli in injury time. The away side controlled the match throughout, with Mile Svilar making crucial saves and the defence operating as a cohesive unit in the absence of injured defender Evan N'Dicka. Leonardo Balerdi emerged as the standout performer, producing a display of considerable authority and winning almost every contested duel. His ball recovery prevented what could have been a difficult passage late in the contest. Gianluca Mancini returned to form after recent underwhelming displays, his pressing intensity yielding the ball recovery that led to Roma's opening goal. The structure was solid: Bryan Cristante played with experience in midfield, leaving the creative burden to Paulo Dybala, who dribbled, created and provided service as expected before tiring in the second half. Malen's goal came after a run of two matches without scoring, with his movement in the opposition box consistently threatening. Pisilli's late finish sealed the outcome and relieved pressure in the closing stages. Substitutions proved effective: Marten de Roon entered at the hour mark and demonstrated his value by recovering several important possessions, while Santiago Castro came on to add attacking energy—though only partially succeeding as Roma's overall intensity dipped. Nahuel Molina, deployed on the left in the absence of Wesley, convinced despite some wayward crosses, offering dangerous crossing opportunities. Matías Soulé lacked precision in key moments, whilst Mario Hermoso and Emanuele Lulli showed solidity at the back. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini earned a 7.5 rating for orchestrating a deserved victory through control of possession and match tempo, demonstrating confidence in rotating the squad with successful results.

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.

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.