Malen Sets Record Pace as Roma Chase Champions League Spot
Serie A·7 May 2026·1d ago

Malen Sets Record Pace as Roma Chase Champions League Spot

Source: Forza Roma

Donyell Malen has emerged as Roma's key figure in the closing stages of the Serie A season as the club pushes for Champions League qualification. With 11 goals in 15 league matches, Malen has already scored more than Juventus's three leading strikers combined—David (6), Vlahovic (4), and Openda (1)—who sit just one point ahead in the table. The Giallorossi face critical fixtures against Parma, followed by derbies against Lazio and Verona, with Malen's clinical finishing expected to prove decisive.

Malen is drawing attention not only from Roma's perspective but also from Dutch national team coach Ronald Koeman, who has placed significant faith in him ahead of an upcoming World Cup where the forward expects to start. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is managing Paulo Dybala's availability carefully following a lengthy injury layoff, with the Argentine playmaker in line to feature against Parma in a rotational arrangement alongside Matías Soulé. This combination aims to maintain attacking potency while building toward the derby clash.

Statistically, Malen's 11 goals through 15 matches puts him within striking distance of Gabriel Batistuta's Roma record of 13 goals in the same span during the 2000–01 season. He also trails Inter's Lautaro Martinez, the league's leading scorer with 16 goals. Additionally, Malen is chasing the record for most goals by a mid-season signing, currently held by Mario Balotelli at 12 goals, establishing himself as the campaign's standout winter acquisition.

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Malen da record, pronto allo sprint: la Roma all’assalto - Forzaroma.info Forzaroma.infoI migliori video scelti dal nostro canaleforzaroma rassegna stampa la gazzetta dello sport Malen da record, pronto allo sprint: la Roma all’assaltoLa Gazzetta dello SportMalen da record, pronto allo sprint: la Roma all’assaltoGetty ImagesDonyell intende chiudere in grande stile anche sotto lo sguardo attento del ct olandese Ronald Koeman, che su di lui ripone enorme fiducia in vista di un Mondiale da giocare da titolare Redazione 7 maggio 2026 (modifica il 7 maggio 2026 | 07:38) Quella che per il calendario è Parma contro Roma (e a seguire Roma contro Lazio e Verona), per la gente giallorossa è "Malen contro tutti". Perché l'uomo Champions è lui. E in quelle che sono adesso partite secche come finali, conterà tantissimo la freddezza sottoporta di Donyell, che in 15 gare di campionato ha già segnato 11 gol, quanti ne hanno messi insieme nel confronto più ravvicinato con la Juve (un punto in più in classifica) David (6), Vlahovic (4) e Openda (1). In questa corsa alla Champions, sottolinea Alessio D'Urso su 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', Donyell intende chiudere in grande stile anche sotto lo sguardo attento del ct olandese Ronald Koeman, che su di lui ripone enorme fiducia in vista di un Mondiale da giocare da titolare. E ora anche i trequartisti dovranno danzare accanto al centravanti per tenere intatto il sogno stagionale. A partire da Paulo Dybala. Gasp lo ha impiegato con parsimonia dopo il lungo stop: lo vuole al top per il derby, ma contro il Parma potrebbe concedergli la maglia da titolare in una staffetta con Matias Soulé. Una sfida quella di Malen, lanciata al Parma e agli altri attaccanti della Serie A. E anche se non riuscirà a raggiungere i capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez (16), può quanto meno puntare al record di gol di Gabriel Batistuta dopo 15 giornate in giallorosso (13 nella stagione 2000/01) e rafforzare la sua posizione di miglior acquisto invernale del campionato eguagliando o superando Mario Balotelli che tuttora detiene il record di miglior marcatore come nuovo acquisto di gennaio con 12 gol.Leggi anche Celik abbassa le richieste: adesso può rinnovare. Spera anche Pellegrini Una Roma di ferro: non prende mai gol e i centrali segnano © RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA

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