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."
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Roma secured a 2-0 victory over Torino, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini praising both the team's performance and Leonardo Balerdi's defensive display. Gasperini hailed Balerdi as "a strong, very strong defender" and a "modern defender, physically strong and quick," drawing a striking comparison to Franco Baresi. While stopping short of placing the Argentine in Baresi's legendary company, Gasperini highlighted Balerdi's recovery capabilities and the way he interprets his role with aggression and speed, suggesting his qualities align with those characteristics that defined one of Italian football's greatest defenders.
The coach emphasised Roma's attacking threat through the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, describing them as complementary forwards who "complete each other greatly" and consistently create dangerous opportunities. Gasperini explained his decision to substitute Malen despite the winger's fine form, citing the squad's demanding fixture schedule of three matches in eight days. He stressed the importance of rotation to keep attacking players fresh for multiple games per week while simultaneously developing younger talents who must learn from champions like Dybala and Malen—not only technically but in temperament and desire to be protagonists.
Looking ahead to Roma's fixture against Inter, Gasperini acknowledged the Nerazzurri as "the reference team for our league" and the strongest side, though he noted Como are close behind. He recalled last season's encounters, explaining that a heavy defeat sparked Roma's transformation in mentality and results. The upcoming match represents an opportunity for Roma to measure themselves against the league's elite.
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