Balerdi’s loan sparks revival as Roma dominate under Gasperini
Leonardo Balerdi, the 27‑year‑old Argentine defender, has revived at AS Rome after a Prêt from OM. After two substitute outings against Atalanta and Fenerbahçe, he earned his first start on Monday versus Torino, helping La Roma to a 2‑0 victory and a perfect Serie A record.
The Prêt was finalised at the end of August, with Balerdi Arrivé at Roma fin août. The Arriv was confirmed by the club in late August. In his debut against Atalanta he completed 21 passes from 21 attempts, and against Fenerbahçe he recorded a flawless 10‑on‑10 passing sheet in the Champions League.
Thierry Cros summed up the performance after the Torino match, describing the Argentine as « simple and effective » in both marking and build‑up, staying high after losing the ball to act as the first defensive filter. His revival in Italie has been highlighted by several pundits.
Gasperini's system unlocks Balerdi
Gian Piero Gasperini’s philosophy demands defenders to press aggressively, defend high and join the possession phases – a profile that matches Balerdi’s speed, power and forward‑driving instincts. The coach’s instructions have allowed the defender to play simple, take fewer unnecessary risks and exploit his natural attributes.
His first titular appearance came on Monday against Torino. Balerdi helped La Roma keep a clean sheet in a 2‑0 win, contributing to the side’s fourth consecutive Serie A victory and maintaining a perfect four‑out‑of‑four record.
After the match Gasperini praised him as a powerful, modern and fast defender, even drawing a comparison with the legendary Franco Baresi, while cautioning that the Argentine is not yet at the legend’s level.
Loan terms and potential implications for OM
The Prêt includes an option to buy that triggers after a set number of appearances, meaning Roma can secure Balerdi permanently without an immediate transfer fee. OM may watch the development closely, as the defender’s resurgence could prompt questions about the club’s decision to let him leave.
At Marseille, Balerdi captained the side and every mistake was heavily scrutinised. Après moving to Rome, he arrived with a different status, needing to earn his place in an already solid back line rather than bearing the weight of Marseille’s expectations.
Thierry Cros posted on 14 September 2026, praising Balerdi’s natural adaptation and total mastery in the Torino game, reinforcing the positive narrative surrounding his early impact at Roma.
While it is too early to declare a permanent renaissance, the Argentine’s strong start suggests that both Roma and OM will continue to monitor his progress throughout the season.