← All stories
Castro and Malen to share striker duties under Gasperini's plan
·3 August 2026·18d ago

Castro and Malen to share striker duties under Gasperini's plan

Source: Roma News

Gian Piero Gasperini has clarified Roma's attacking strategy, stating that Santiago Castro and Donyell Malen will alternate as the club's central striker throughout the season rather than feature together regularly. Both are pure strikers, and the manager will deploy only one at a time in Roma's established 4-2-3-1 formation, with two playmakers operating behind the lone forward. A rare pairing will be reserved for emergencies or closing stages of matches when chasing a result. This approach was already visible in a friendly against Cardiff City, where Castro started and Malen appeared from the bench.

Roma's €35 million investment plus bonuses in Argentine forward Castro stems from the need to manage player workload across a demanding season featuring European competition. Last season, Malen featured heavily in the second half of the campaign and risked arriving fatigued. Castro's quality and prospect as a young talent provide Gasperini with greater depth without compromising standards. The two attackers possess complementary but distinct characteristics: Malen thrives on attacking space and exploiting pace, while Castro prefers dropping deep to link play and create connection with teammates. This stylistic difference makes regular partnership difficult, echoing a similar arrangement Gasperini employed at Atalanta with Zapata and Muriel.

● AI Generated Summary

This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.

Testo Originale / Source Text

Gasperini ha fatto chiarezza sul futuro offensivo della Roma: Santiago Castro e Donyell Malen sono due centravanti puri e si alterneranno al centro dell’attacco, lasciando spazio a una loro convivenza in campo solo in rare situazioni di emergenza o nei finali di gara. Come riporta La Gazzetta…

Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.

Read original on Roma News

More Squad News

Wesley fit for Fiorentina debut; Gasperini has one remaining doubt
Squad NewsSerie A AI
1h ago

Wesley fit for Fiorentina debut; Gasperini has one remaining doubt

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Neom target Ziółkowski as Roma demand €20m
Transfer NewsSquad News AI
3h ago

Neom target Ziółkowski as Roma demand €20m

Jan Ziółkowski has attracted interest from Saudi Arabian club Neom, with Roma valuing the centre-back at approximately €20 million. The Polish defender found limited playing time last season and has not fully convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, prompting the Giallorossi to consider offers for him. Several clubs from Saudi Arabia have already expressed interest in the 2005-born player. Gasperini would prefer to retain Ziółkowski over Daniele Ghilardi, but the Polish defender has a stronger market appeal due to his age, room for growth, and current involvement with the Polish national team. Roma's €20 million valuation also reflects a 10 per cent sell-on clause owed to Legia Warszawa from any future sale. Should Ziółkowski depart, Roma would be forced to pursue another central defender, likely targeting a loan arrangement with an option to buy rather than a permanent signing.

Bynoe-Gittens back in focus for Roma, but loan deal required
Transfer NewsSquad News AI
4h ago

Bynoe-Gittens back in focus for Roma, but loan deal required

Roma's transfer window has entered its most intense phase as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeks two additional reinforcements to complete his squad: another full-back and a left winger. The club is working on deals for Luis Henrique and Fofana, but negotiations remain complicated. With Luis Henrique requiring agreement to be reached with Inter over the formula and the player himself, and the Fofana operation from Lyon deemed excessively costly and stalled, Roma is now considering loan options to bolster those positions. Chelsea winger Bynoe-Gittens has re-emerged as a target. The left-winger had a disappointing 2025–26 season in the Premier League after Chelsea paid 60 million euros to sign him from Borussia Dortmund. Roma could only bring him to the club on a temporary basis, potentially with an option to buy, rather than a permanent transfer.

More on Donyell Malen

Player profile →
Wesley fit for Fiorentina debut; Gasperini has one remaining doubt
Squad NewsSerie A AI
1h ago

Wesley fit for Fiorentina debut; Gasperini has one remaining doubt

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Mora impresses Gasperini and enters contention for Fiorentina opener
Match ReportSquad News AI
8h ago

Mora impresses Gasperini and enters contention for Fiorentina opener

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

Gasperini has won everyone over — the squad is Champions-level
Squad NewsTransfer News AI
8h ago

Gasperini has won everyone over — the squad is Champions-level

Gian Piero Gasperini begins his second season at Roma with renewed momentum after the club secured third place last season and a return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The transfer window has reshaped the squad with reinforcements across multiple positions, though primary targets Mason Greenwood and Summerville eluded the club. Roma's summer business has produced a deeper, more complete squad better aligned with Gasperini's tactical vision. Molina arrived to offset the loss of Çelik and represents an upgrade; Castro will support Donyell Malen as an alternative; Koulierakis extends defensive rotation; and Rodrigo Mora has captured attention. No significant departures have materialised — unusual given financial fair play constraints — which Gasperini welcomes as Roma shapes up for the coming campaign. Paulo Dybala remains pivotal to the club's balance, though physical uncertainties surround his availability. The transfer market investment has been substantial across three figures, and the absence of standout exits leaves the side well-resourced heading into a season built on Champions League ambitions.

Feedback