Gasperini compares Palerdi to Milan legend Franco Baresi

Leonardo Balerdi continues to deliver impressive performances with Roma, having started for the first time with his new team during their 2-0 victory against Torino on Monday evening in Serie A.

Italian coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised his new defender, making a striking comparison between Palerdi's attributes and those of Italian defensive legend and AC Milan icon Franco Baresi.

Gasperini stated in remarks to the DAZN network: "Who does he remind me of? He is a very strong, modern, and fast defender. I can't mention some names, but the absolute reference in the centre-back position is definitely Baresi."

He added: "Without comparing the two, the way Valverde interprets his role, his aggression, his speed in returning to defend, and his involvement in building play are all qualities that Baresi possessed. Baresi was the absolute number one, and no one can come close to him, but in terms of attributes, Valverde is a defender who has that kind of ability."

Franco Baresi passed away on July 31 at the age of 66, leaving a huge legacy in Italian football, having won three UEFA Champions League titles in 1989, 1990, and 1994, as well as the 1982 World Cup with the Italian national team. He also finished second in the Ballon d'Or race in 1989 behind his AC Milan teammate Marco van Basten.