Leonardo Balerdi draws Baresi comparison from Gasperini

Leonardo Balerdi’s early impact at AS Roma has earned an exceptional comparison from coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The Argentina defender, who endured difficult final months at Marseille, has quickly established himself in Italy after moving to the capital on loan with a mandatory purchase option.

Balerdi impressed on his Roma debut against Atalanta, a 2-1 victory, before making his first start for the club in Monday’s 2-0 win away to Torino. Gasperini highlighted his pace, aggression, ability to recover defensively and contribution in possession as qualities associated with Franco Baresi, whom he described as the ultimate reference for a central defender.

The coach stressed that he was not placing the two players on the same level. His point was that Balerdi interprets the position in a similar modern and proactive way, combining defensive intensity with involvement in build-up play. The praise reflects how quickly the 26-year-old has changed the perception created by his difficult end to six years at Marseille.

Balerdi began his career at Boca Juniors and also played for Borussia Dortmund before moving to France. He has won 11 Argentina caps but has yet to claim a major trophy with the national team. His immediate task in Rome is to maintain the form that has brought two victories from his first two appearances.