
Balerdi scores first Roma brace and says he feels at home in Rome
Leonardo Balerdi spoke to the media after Napoli 1-1 Roma...

Source: Forza Roma
Mario Hermoso joined head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at a pre-match press conference on the eve of Roma's Champions League visit to Fenerbahce, reflecting on the club's progression to Europe's elite competition and the intensity required in the continental tournament.
Hermoso, who featured in Roma's comeback win against Atalanta, emphasized the significance of the fixture and Roma's readiness for Champions League football. "The Champions League is the most difficult tournament in the world because the best clubs play in it," he said. "We are happy and have the will to make a great start here in Istanbul. We want to play this type of match." He credited Gasperini's tactical approach and intensity as well-suited to the competition: "He plays football of pressure and intensity. We have the faith and will to find the solutions the manager gives us in the dressing room, then find the right tactical solution to win."
Hermoso described Roma's transformation under Gasperini as a marked improvement from the previous season. "Gasperini has given us the mentality to grow as a squad. We have had great growth compared to last year," he explained. "All my teammates are very happy with how the team plays and how we have taken this step to reach the Champions League. We want to do well and give continuity, also in the Champions League." On preparation for the Fenerbahce challenge, he stressed the importance of understanding the opposition's strengths: "To play a great match, we must know what are the strongest points of our opponent. We have done that work. This match doesn't change anything. The intensity and mentality will be the same we put on the pitch against Atalanta. For us it is a new competition and we must raise our level compared to Serie A." Hermoso added that Roma arrive on a run of three positive performances and view the Champions League campaign as central to the season's ambitions. "This season is too important for us," he said. "The road is the right one for us and the fans who are close to Roma. We want to have a good competition and for us it is important not to concede goals and put our strikers in position to score."
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# Roma Draw 1–1 with Fenerbahçe in Champions League Return
Roma returned to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, drawing 1–1 away at Fenerbahçe in Istanbul in the opening match of the competition's new league phase. Bryan Cristante gave Roma the lead in the first half with a long-range strike, but the Giallorossi conceded almost immediately after the restart when Fenerbahçe's Brown capitalised on a defensive lapse to level the match. The result leaves Roma with one point from their opening fixture.
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a three-man defence of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as wing-backs. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchored midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen led the attack with Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield role. Gasperini made three substitutions in the 74th minute, bringing on Leonardo Balerdi, Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo Mora. Mile Svilar made crucial saves to keep Roma in the contest. The match was controlled by Roma, who dominated possession at 58 per cent to Fenerbahçe's 42 per cent, though they failed to build on their first-half advantage. Fenerbahçe created the clearer chances after equalising, with a header from Akè striking the crossbar late on.
The draw has secured €50.09 million in Champions League revenue for Roma so far this season, according to Calcio e Finanza. Qualification alone granted €18.62 million, with their current league-phase position contributing at least €275,000, and the draw adding €700,000. The largest component comes from the value pillar, contributing €30.49 million to the club's coffers. Gasperini acknowledged Roma's second-half vulnerability but praised the overall performance and the point secured away from home in a hostile environment. Several radio commentators viewed the result as acceptable, though opinion divided on whether Roma should have won. The draw marks a solid foundation for Roma's European campaign, though the manager acknowledged the need for greater focus when transitioning from a compact defensive shape.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Tocca ad Hermoso. Lo spagnolo affianca Gasperini in conferenza stampa: alla vigilia del match contro il Fenerbahce, il difensore giallorosso presenterà la sfida, parlando anche delle sensazioni di vestire per la prima volta la maglia della Roma in Champions League. Hermoso a Sky Uno degli eroi…”
Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to the media after Napoli 1-1 Roma...

Gianluca Mancini said a point was a fair result after Roma's Serie A matchday 8 clash at Napoli, played at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Roma conceded three goals, the same number they had let in across the rest of the league campaign, and Mancini admitted that was a problem for the defenders. Asked about it, he said: "Quello si, purtroppo ci sono partite in cui li prendi. Dobbiamo rivedere il primo tempo dove abbiamo subito molte occasioni." He pointed to the first half, where Roma faced a lot of chances, and to the first goal, scored by Anguissa, where he felt the team could have managed the ball better. Mancini described a Roma side that refuses to give up. He said the team had never shown that habit before, apart from one game last year in Milan, and that the squad keeps creating chances in every match. He said Napoli are one of the strong sides they had to face, and that the players who came on did not lower the tempo, with the team staying reactive at its highest level. On the question of whether the new arrivals had raised the standard, he agreed that this was what the squad had been missing, adding that the newcomers were strong and young. Mancini said: "Mollare non l'abbiamo mai fatto, forse una partita l'anno scorso a Milano. Quest'anno ci crediamo sempre, creiamo occasioni, poi ci sono le squadre forti come il Napoli. Oggi chiunque è entrato non ha abbassato il ritmo della partita e la squadra rimane sempre reattiva al massimo. Siamo contenti." On the newcomers, he added: "Assolutamente sì, era quello che ci mancava. Sono arrivati tutti ragazzi forti, giovani. Leo è stato capitano in una squadra importante come il Marsiglia. Diamo tutto per questa maglia per portare a casa sempre il risultato." On the concessions, he said: "Anche sul gol di Anguissa potevamo gestire meglio la palla, sul secondo sapevamo la forza di McTominay in area e il terzo dalla distanza. Fa parte di queste partite, l'importante è reagire e non abbattersi. Per come si era messa un punto va bene."

Nahuel Molina has said he is happy to accept rotation with his fellow wide players and that he came to Roma to help the team in every way possible, following the 0-0 draw at Napoli...

Leonardo Balerdi spoke to Dazn after Roma's draw with Napoli, saying he feels he is getting further forward and that Gasperini is giving him more freedom to push on. Balerdi said: "What a match and what a reaction. It's the first double of my career. Now I'm getting a bit more involved, I saw it from Mancini and Hermoso. Today we wanted to win but at least we take a point home." Asked about the secret behind his current form, Balerdi credited the coach: "Gasperini is teaching me these new movements, he gives me more freedom to go forward." He also pointed to the freedom to get into the box as a key part of his game at the moment. When asked whether Roma can dream, Balerdi said: "I feel very good here, I've said it since day one. I've been welcomed really well, it feels like I've been here for three years. And that's thanks to the group."

Leonardo Balerdi has spoken after Napoli-Roma, the eighth-round Serie A match, admitting Roma wanted the win but at least came away with a point. The Argentine defender said scoring is not something he usually does, adding: "For me it is the first time. I saw Mancini and Hermoso, I saw that it was possible to get there. We wanted to win, but at least we take a point." Balerdi also credited Gian Piero Gasperini for his growing attacking role. Asked whether the coach is teaching him to get forward, he said: "Yes, he gives me the chance to get to the byline, and I do what he asks of me." The match was Balerdi's first goal for Roma, and the draw at Napoli leaves the club to build on a point rather than the three they had hoped for.

Roma came from behind twice to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A matchday eight, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side were rescued by Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench and scored a brilliant brace. Giallorossi.net's player ratings, written by Andrea Fiorini, gave Balerdi an 8 and Gasperini a 7 for a difficult away trip made without several important players. Gollini was rated 6, with a superb save from Olivera standing out, though he was uncertain with crosses into the box and could have done more on McTominay's shot. Ndicka was rated 6.5 for winning a physical duel with Hojlund, who had little impact. Hermoso, also 6.5, attacked often and tried several times to shoot, but his efforts were always deflected for corners, and Politano often took him on. Mancini was rated 5.5, lacking quality in attack and pace in defence, improving slightly after the break. Rensch, rated 6, made a crucial intervention on Lang but was rated as playing with the handbrake on, offering little going forward. Molina, who replaced him at 58', was rated 6.5 after Gasperini deployed him on the left, where his runs brought energy to the flank. De Roon, rated 6.5, grew into the game and was a wall in the second half. Pisilli was rated 5.5 and was not especially bright, with disappointing set-piece deliveries. Castro, who came on for him at 58', was rated 6 and gave the team a jolt, unsettling the Napoli defence. Wesley was rated 6, described as confused but running tirelessly, with a fine cross for Cristante that hit the post, and an assist for Balerdi's equaliser late on. Cristante was rated 6.5 for his physicality and a few good chances, though he lacked quality with the final pass. Soule was rated 7.5, a constant threat who troubled Napoli and set up Malen inside the area, though Malen wasted the chance. In the second half Soule struck a stunning left-foot shot that revitalised Roma and changed the momentum of the match. Malen was rated 6, wasting a penalty by hitting a weak effort in the area, and was saved only by his assist for Soule. Mora came on late without a rating. Gasperini was praised for his substitutions, which proved decisive in the final 3-3.