Gasperini: Roma's Improvement Evident, Balerdi's Potential, and the Upcoming Inter Challenge

Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged the contributions of Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala, noting their ability to create opportunities. He also praised Leonardo Balerdi, drawing a comparison to Franco Baresi in terms of his defensive interpretation and involvement in play, while stressing that such comparisons are merely illustrative of the player's style, not his legendary status.

Roma secured their fourth consecutive Serie A victory, maintaining a perfect start to the season. This win followed their midweek draw in the Champions League.

Donyell Malen scored again, bringing his league tally to six goals in the opening four matches. Niccolò Pisilli sealed the 2-0 win against Torino with a late goal.

“It’s rewarding to see players like Malen and Dybala showcase their talent and work together to create chances,” Gasperini stated. “They are individually gifted and complement each other, often combining to score goals.”

Malen's substitution earlier in the second half, with the score at 1-0, drew attention. Gasperini explained the decision stemmed from the team's busy schedule, with this being their third game in eight days. He emphasized the importance of managing player minutes to ensure long-term performance and the need for other squad members to step up and be ready to contribute significantly.

The starting lineup featured changes from the previous midweek match, including the first starts for new signings Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina.

“We played well in the first half, though we could have been more decisive in the final third. Torino brought on fresh players, so at times we needed to adjust our approach to be more effective, even if it meant being less flashy. Being adaptable is key,” the Roma coach commented.

Regarding Balerdi, Gasperini described him as a strong, modern defender with physical presence and speed. He elaborated, “Balerdi has characteristics similar to Franco Baresi in how he approaches the game and contributes. While Baresi is unmatched, Balerdi's interpretation of the defender's role is noteworthy.”

Roma now prepares for a significant Serie A match against the reigning champions, Inter Milan, which is being discussed as a potential Scudetto decider.

“We have time to prepare. Last season, there was a significant difference between us and them, particularly after a heavy defeat in the return fixture. That game marked a turning point, leading to improvements in results, attitude, and mentality.

“Inter represents the benchmark in this league; they are considered the top team in Italy by many, though I believe Como is also performing well,” Gasperini concluded. “This match is an opportunity for us to test ourselves against the best and demonstrate our progress.”