Serie A’s early weeks have placed unusual weight on the new faces in defence. From Roma’s decision to return for Leonardo Balerdi when Marseille’s position changed, to Juventus waiting for Jhon Lucumi to settle fully, several clubs have made their back lines a central part of the season’s first chapter.
Roma see Balerdi as a long-term answer
Roma had pursued Balerdi a year earlier, only for Marseille’s €30 million valuation to block a deal. The French club’s subsequent difficulties altered the market, and the Argentine arrived at Trigoria on a €1 million loan.
The eventual purchase fee depends on his involvement. Roma would pay €14 million if he plays at least 45 minutes in 55% of the matches, €11 million if his figure falls between 40% and 55%, and €9 million if he reaches a minimum of 20%. Given his early impact and the expectation that he will feature heavily through the spring, a permanent move in June appears highly likely.
Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear why the club were so keen. “Leandro is a captain and we already knew the player’s value,” the Roma coach said.
Balerdi has impressed with his marking, his ability to start moves from the back and the personality he has brought into the side. Yet his recovery speed may be his most important attribute in Gasperini’s demanding defensive environment. Roma often press high, leaving considerable space behind the line, and Balerdi has the pace to repair those situations.
Sutalo establishes himself at Lazio
Lazio rebuilt after the departures of Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli, bringing in Josip Sutalo alongside Doekhi and Leite, with Provstgaard also available to Rino Gattuso. The coach has insisted that he can call upon four centre-backs of comparable standard, but Sutalo has already offered a different level of assurance.
The Croatian has experience that few new arrivals can match. He has been part of Croatia’s national-team group for years, played at the past two World Cups, and arrived after spells with Dinamo Zagreb and Ajax.
He is the quickest of Lazio’s central defenders and has stood out for his reading of danger. Before the international break, at Venezia, he produced a vital intervention against Adams with the score still 0-0, denying a clear chance. He also recovered 12 balls in that match, a performance that reinforced his position as the organising presence in the Biancocelesti defence.
Milan find another side to Gila
Gila’s move to Milan has revealed a broader range to his game. Used as a centre-back, a wide defender in a three and, when required, a right-back, the Spaniard has become a useful option for Ruben Amorim.
Against Lecce before the break, Amorim adjusted the structure from a back three to a four. Estupinan dropped on the left while Gila moved out to the right, and the trial brought a convincing result, albeit against opponents less demanding than those Milan will meet later in the campaign.
His comfort in possession has also won over San Siro. Gila has completed 91% of his passes from more than 66 attempts per match, while producing 0.8 key passes per game. He was involved in the build-up to Milan’s second goal against Lecce, combining with Modric and Chukwueze.
The €30 million Milan paid in the summer, with only one year left on his previous contract, is beginning to look more understandable. His speed, willingness in tackles and attention to runs from deep have complemented the quality he offers on the ball.
Juventus await Lucumi’s next step
At Juventus, the settling-in period has been more measured. Lucumi was the club’s leading target for the left side of the defence, and Luciano Spalletti strongly supported the pursuit that ended with Juventus paying Bologna €19.5 million plus bonuses.
The Colombian was recruited for his left foot, technical quality and proactive approach, qualities Juventus believe can improve their build-up and give the department greater authority. Spalletti handed him his debut in the second league round against Parma and has started him in every match since.
Lucumi has logged 300 minutes in Serie A and another 90 in the Europa League, but has not yet consistently shown the confidence he displayed at Bologna. He has sometimes been cautious in possession and has not always been flawless defensively, collecting two yellow cards in four league appearances, against Parma and Sassuolo.
There were nevertheless encouraging signs before the break. After playing the full match for Colombia against Mexico, he returns to Turin with Spalletti’s confidence intact. The coach expects a more relaxed player, and eventually the extra distributor from defence that Juventus planned for when they signed him.
Young defenders seize their opportunity
Frosinone’s promising start has also been supported by Gabriele Calvani, the 22-year-old from Grottaferrata who has handled the move up to Serie A without visible hesitation. After contributing to promotion from Serie B, he remained in Ciociaria for a second season when sporting director Renzo Castagnini renewed his loan from Genoa.
Calvani has started all five league fixtures and has developed an increasingly reliable partnership with Monterisi at the heart of Massimiliano Alvini’s four-man defence. His concentration, aggression and timing in defensive situations have stood out, while the forwards he has faced in the opening weeks — including Yildiz, Gudmundsson, Osmajic and Baturina — have not scored against him.
He also offers threat at the other end, having scored with his head against Juve Stabia last season and with his left foot for Italy Under-21 against Albania. Alongside Palmisani, Fini, Cichella and Raimondo, he is among the Frosinone players selected by Baldini for the Under-21 group.
Torino, meanwhile, have quickly made Pietro Comuzzo a pillar of their own defensive project. On his first day with the club, on 2 August in Burnley, he set out his approach plainly: “This team needs courage, just as coach Abate and the club showed courage in placing such faith in this good group of Italian players.”
A month and a half later, the Friulian defender has become a regular under Abate. He has started every match apart from his absence caused by flu at Bologna, operating on both the right and left of a three-man line. Should Torino move to a back four, he is expected to be one of the principal central defenders.
Comuzzo’s physical level has been especially striking. At Filadelfia, he has reportedly led the squad in weekly strength tests by a clear margin. Fitness had affected his confidence over the previous year, despite always being one of his main strengths. Now he has restored his energy, motivation and power, and Torino have found a defender around whom they can build.
