Roma, Balerdi: "I want to stay for a long time. Put in two good performances and you are a god, two bad ones and you are the devil"

Interview with the Roma defender

Leonardo Balerdi, the Argentine defender at Roma, spoke to Il Tempo about his first year with the Giallorossi and his move to the club: "I said straight away that I’m absolutely delighted. I wanted a change of scenery after spending so many years in Marseille. I had wanted to play in Serie A ever since I was little and now here at Roma I’m more than happy."

On Gasperini

"I get on well with his instructions, I feel that physically I’m improving day by day. His way of training is an advantage for me because in matches I feel strong. He comes to the training ground and does what he has to do. We haven’t spoken much about other things but with me he has always been top."

The comparison with Baresi

"Let’s say the media changed the manager’s words a bit. Having said that, there’s one issue: I didn’t want to be a defender, but a midfielder. Gago was one of my idols, I also liked Riquelme and Palermo of Boca. When I realised I was going to become a defender, I started watching the greatest ones like Maldini, Ramos, Van Dijk. Baresi too, obviously."

On Roma-Inter

"Inter have had an extraordinary journey in recent years, we cannot ignore that. But we have to prepare for this match like all the others. We have to win without looking at who is in front of us. Clearly, knowing their qualities, we will have to adapt, but always giving one hundred per cent. A match that can give us the decisive click for the rest of the season."

The euphoria...

"I'm a bit used to this from Marseille. If you play two good matches you are a god, then the same number are enough for you to be like the devil. Now I am only trying to concentrate on the pitch without thinking about what is being said outside."

The future

Here you are on loan with an option, is your hope to stay?

"Absolutely yes. I want to do everything to stay here for a long time. Personally, both with the national team and at Roma, I want to win a trophy."