Leonardo Balerdi confirms some radical changes to the Roma defence for tonight’s Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava. ‘I feel good in any role.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
The Giallorossi are still seeking their first Champions League victory of the season, having drawn 1-1 away to Fenerbahce, then fumbled a 3-1 lead at the 82nd minute to lose 4-3 with Real Madrid.
Paulo Dybala and Manu Koné sustained injuries in that match, and miss out this evening along with goalkeeper Mile Svilar, but Bryan Cristante is back on the bench a month after his knee issue.
Notably, there is a radical revamp of the defence, with Balerdi moving to a central role, flanked by Daniele Ghilardi and Mario Hermoso.
Balerdi open to Roma changes
“I feel good in any role in defence, we are all strong. Ghilardi and Hermoso immediately understand what we need to do, I get along with Mancini and Ndicka too, so it’s all good,” Balerdi told Sky Sport Italia.
He was a late arrival in the transfer session from Olympique Marseille, on loan with an option to buy that can become an obligation for a total €16m.
How has Balerdi enjoyed working under coach Gian Piero Gasperini?
“Gasperini is a great coach, he knows what he wants to do, I like his passion, the way he trains. It works, because we feel so much confidence on the field, and that’s important for a player.”
There are five Argentinean players in the Roma squad, a growing group that was further bolstered by Balerdi, Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro this summer.
“There are many Argentines at Roma, they wrote to me before I came here and gave me a great welcome. I am happy, but we know that we’ve got to take Roma as high as possible, that’s what we want to do.”