Balerdi’s early Roma numbers point to a defensive role taking shape
The Marseille loanee has started against Torino and Inter, recording eight interceptions and two blocks in 179 league minutes, according to Yahoo Sports.
Leonardo Balerdi has moved quickly from a late loan signing to a regular part of AS Roma’s defensive picture. Yahoo Sports reports that the Argentine centre-back has made two starts in Serie A during his first month at the club, against Torino and Inter.
Balerdi played the full match in Roma’s 2-0 win over Torino, registering five aerial duels won and six clearances, both team highs, the report says. He then started against Inter and left after 65 minutes with cramps.
In that match, Balerdi won four of five duels, completed two of three tackles and made six recoveries. The figures offer a snapshot of his contribution in a demanding defensive assignment; they do not establish any longer-term impact from his departure.
Across 179 Serie A minutes, he has recorded eight interceptions, or 4.0 per 90 minutes, and two blocks, or 1.0 per 90. Yahoo Sports says both rates lead Roma. The report also places his interception rate ahead of Mario Hermoso and Evan N’Dicka, at 3.4 per 90 each, and Gianluca Mancini, at 1.8.
Balerdi joined on loan from Marseille after other potential moves fell through, according to the report. His performances have come within coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s man-oriented defensive system, though the available account does not establish how his role will develop over the rest of the season.
