Balerdi stuns Atalanta on Roma debut, compared to Nesta

Leonardo Balerdi made a memorable debut with AS Roma on Saturday, playing a key role in the club’s comeback victory over Atalanta (2-1) in Serie A’s fourth round. The 27-year-old former OM captain replaced Evan Ndicka in the 67th minute when the Giallorossi were trailing 0-1 to a goal from Ederson (47’). Mario Hermoso (89’) and Matías Soulé (90’+3) then secured the win for Roma.

Several Italian observers directly attributed the turnaround to the Argentine defender’s introduction. Former international Fabio Petruzzi, speaking on Retesport radio, called him the “most important change” and the “decisive player who restored balance to Roma and enabled the comeback.” Journalist Tommaso Turci felt Balerdi had “rebalanced the duel with Krstovic,” the opposing striker.

The most flattering comparison came from Milan-based journalist Alessandro Jacobone: “I wasn’t aware of Balerdi’s elegance and defensive cleanliness—a nice discovery. We’ll see if he can maintain this, but tonight he looked like Alessandro Nesta.” Roma supporters also praised his debut on social media.

This third consecutive victory keeps Roma unbeaten at the top of Serie A, level on points with Inter Milan, who beat Napoli (3-2) on the same day.

The contrast with his situation at Marseille is striking. Having become unwanted at OM after several underwhelming seasons, Balerdi left the Provençal club this summer. While he was making his Roma debut, Marseille lost at home to Paris FC (2-3), a defeat that coach Bruno Genesio commented on tersely, saying his team had defended “like a kids’ team.”