Leonardo Balerdi made a commanding debut for AS Roma, playing a key role in the 2-1 victory over Atalanta during a 23-minute substitute appearance. As reported by Siamolaroma.it, the Argentine defender entered the pitch in the second half and immediately raised the level of the Giallorossi's backline.
How did Balerdi perform?
Leonardo Balerdi won every duel he attempted, both in the air and on the ground. He completed 21 of his 23 passes, with nine of those in the final third, showing great composure in building play. His most noticeable contribution was his ability to win the ball and launch quick counter-attacks, a trait that defined his brief but intense outing. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini had introduced him as "a captain before a defender," and on the pitch Balerdi marshaled the defense with constant communication.
What does this mean for Roma's defense?
The arrival of Balerdi, along with Marten de Roon, concluded AS Roma's summer transfer window. The club replaced the younger Jan Ziolkowski with a defender born in 1999, adding international experience to the squad. With this reinforcement, Evan Ndicka now faces serious competition for the starting spot. Ndicka had kept Gianluca Scamacca quiet in the first half but struggled against Nikola Krstovic, prompting Gasperini to introduce fresh legs. The move proved successful in containing Atalanta's advances and allowing Roma to hit on the break.
What are the team's current stats?
The win against Atalanta solidifies a positive start to the season for Roma. Gasperini's team now faces a demanding run of fixtures, which can be viewed in full on our fixtures page. This season's squad available to the manager is rich with defensive options, with details on all players listed on the squad page. Balerdi, who wears the number 26 shirt, has signed a contract until June 2029, providing stability to the backline for the coming seasons.
What is the next challenge?
Attention now turns to the next scheduled match. Roma will host Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, September 13th, in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the league campaign. The Giallorossi will look to build on the momentum from the Atalanta win. Fans can track the evolving league table in real time on our standings page. The match against Napoli will be another test for the defensive solidity shown with Balerdi on the pitch.
