Leonardo Balerdi has discussed his early experiences at Roma, the atmosphere inside the Stadio Olimpico and the teammates who have impressed him most since arriving in the Italian capital.
In an interview with Il Tempo, the Argentine defender also addressed Gian Piero Gasperini’s comparison with Franco Baresi, his preferred position and the comment about Lazio that quickly endeared him to Roma supporters.
Balerdi impressed by Koné, Malen and Svilar
Balerdi identified Manu Koné, Donyell Malen and Mile Svilar as three players whose qualities immediately stood out to him in training.
“Which teammate impressed me the most? Manu Koné surprised me physically—he is an animal,” Balerdi said. “I really like him as a player.
“Malen is the same. He was scoring many goals as soon as he arrived and continues to score them. Fortunately, I often do not have to mark him during training.
“I could name many others, including Svilar. Perhaps those three, leaving Dybala aside, have particularly impressed me.”
Malen has scored six times across Roma’s opening four Serie A matches, while Svilar has continued to establish himself among the league’s leading goalkeepers. Koné, meanwhile, remains an essential part of Gasperini’s midfield because of his physical strength and ball-carrying ability.
“The Olimpico feels like an extra player”
Balerdi has already experienced the influence Roma’s supporters can exert during matches at the Stadio Olimpico.
“The Olimpico? It feels like having an extra player on the pitch,” he explained. “We must also ignite the stadium, so much depends on us.
“But when that happens, it becomes difficult for the opposition. It is our responsibility to give everything and allow the stadium to reduce the qualities of our opponents.”
Roma’s supporters have sold out the Olimpico for Saturday’s meeting with Inter, their third home sellout of the season following the matches against Fiorentina and Atalanta.
Balerdi clarifies the Franco Baresi comparison
Gasperini recently praised Balerdi’s speed, intensity and confidence in possession, comparing some of those characteristics with legendary Milan defender Franco Baresi.
Balerdi believes the coach’s original comments were subsequently exaggerated.
“The comparison with Baresi? Let’s say the media changed the coach’s words a little,” he said.
“There is another problem: I did not want to become a defender. I wanted to be a midfielder. Fernando Gago was one of my idols, while I also liked Riquelme and Palermo at Boca, obviously.
“When I understood that I would become a defender, I started watching the greatest players, such as Maldini, Sergio Ramos and Van Dijk. Baresi too, of course.”
Gasperini had previously clarified that he was comparing specific characteristics and not placing Balerdi on the same overall level as Baresi.
Why Balerdi called Lazio “the other team”
Balerdi also explained his decision not to mention Lazio by name during his first interview as a Roma player.
“The expression—‘I have already played at the Olimpico against the other team’—came naturally,” he explained.
“I understand the supporters’ passion because I come from Argentina. When I speak about Boca, River are always ‘the other team.’
“In my first interview as a Roma player, I did not want to say the name of the city’s other team, and that is how the phrase came out.”
Balerdi discusses his preferred position
The 27-year-old can operate centrally or on either side of Gasperini’s three-man defence, although he believes his qualities may be best suited to the central role.
“I do not have a major preference,” Balerdi said. “However, I feel that my characteristics may allow me to perform better in the centre.
“Playing on the side is also fine, but I am different from Mancini, for example, because he pushes forward frequently. It also depends on the characteristics of the opposition.
“I enjoy defending in open spaces, as we saw against Torino. It also happened at Marseille, so I am accustomed to it.”
Balerdi impressed during Roma’s 2-0 victory at the Olimpico Grande Torino, using his recovery speed to stop several potentially dangerous counterattacks.
Balerdi praises Gasperini’s methods
The defender concluded by explaining how Gasperini’s physically demanding training sessions are already helping him improve.
“I feel comfortable with his instructions and believe I am improving physically every day,” he said.
“His method of training is an advantage for me because I feel stronger during matches. He comes to the training ground and does what he needs to do.
“We have not spoken much about other things, but he has been excellent with me. He is completely focused on the work, and I like that. I do not need anything else.
“I already knew his methods and his playing style, and I really enjoy defending across the entire pitch.”
Source: Il Tempo
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