Roma lands in Wales for second pre-season phase as fans welcome new signing

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 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 lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation for their Serie A match at Torino on 14 September 2026, with Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli in the starting eleven. Matías Soulé was preferred to Rodrigo Mora in the forward line, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen completed the attacking unit. Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso and Leonardo Balerdi formed the back three, with Bryan Cristante and Pisilli operating in midfield alongside Nahuel Molina and the left-side defender. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini named Mile Svilar in goal. The bench included several squad options: De Marzi, Gollini, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Wesley, Devyne Rensch, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Santiago Castro and Mora. Torino, managed by Abate, deployed a 3-5-1-1 formation led by Simeone in attack, with Vlasic supporting. The match was refereed by Maresca, with Tegoni and Fontani as assistants, Sozza as fourth official, and Aureliano on VAR duties with Ghersini as assistant VAR.

Roma's radio stations have dissected Gasperini's tactics ahead of tonight's match against Torino, with particular focus on Paulo Dybala's continued presence in the starting XI and the coach's squad rotation policy. Nando Orsi argued that Roma will remain unbeaten as long as they maintain their physical condition, saying the team has adopted Gasperini's system entirely: "The way Gasp plays is this: as long as Roma is in condition they will be unbeatable, Roma has become gasperinised, it plays exactly like Atalanta. But there are moments when you have to catch your breath and there you have to be careful." Francesca Ferrazza suggested Torino are preparing defensive traps from the 1980s to stop Roma's attacking approach. Gasperini's decision to keep Dybala on the pitch for consecutive matches rather than rotate him drew extensive discussion. David Rossi noted that the coach is transmitting psychological conviction to the Argentine forward, saying Gasperini wants him to understand: "You play, you're fine, you must play. And I'll show you: I remove everyone except you." Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged concerns that hierarchy decisions could create unrest within the squad, with some players beginning to feel sidelined, yet noted that Gasperini has used almost all his squad members: "With the exception of Gollini, they have all played. With the exception of Cristante, everyone has played, including De Roon and Koulierakis." Roberto Pruzzo observed that Dybala appears in optimal condition and was specifically prepared to reach the winter break in top form. Fabio Petruzzi added that Dybala's unconditional confidence from Gasperini has improved his self-belief: "When a player goes into a challenge, if he goes in weakly he gets hurt. I saw Dybala changed, especially in his running." Mario Corsi criticised Roma's lack of a left winger, noting that Rodrigo Mora is excellent but performs a different type of role, while criticising the club's previous failures to sign other targets. Daniele Lo Monaco reported that Roma had offered €35 million plus bonuses and a resale percentage for an unspecified winger before the player joined Milan for €50 million plus bonuses instead. Tonight's fixture will test whether Roma can maintain their form against Torino's expected defensive intensity after their midweek European match.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's visit to Torino, rejecting suggestions of a squad hierarchy. "Please stop talking about hierarchies, it's not fair to the players who are giving their all," he said. "It makes no sense for these players—they're all making an important contribution. Ghilardi is growing, there's Koulierakis." Emanuele Lulli will be available for selection after recovering from a virus intestinale (intestinal virus) that struck him in recent days; the 2007-born defender from Palestrina is expected to start. On Paulo Dybala's availability, Gasperini was blunt: "If he's well, he plays." The forward has been in excellent form and started in all four league matches so far this season. Lorenzo Pellegrini returns to the squad after his absence, a significant boost for Roma's midfield ahead of the trip to Turin.