Gaspar: Dybala and Malen will improve through work and team play

Roma dominated the first half at Lecce on 31 August 2026, closing the opening 45 minutes with a three-goal lead under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The emphatic away performance showcased aggressive pressing and assured passing from the side, settling the contest before half-time. The first-half display marked a significant statistical milestone for Roma in away Serie A matches. The club had not scored three goals in the first half of an away league fixture since 23 January 2022, when they led 4-0 at half-time against Empoli at the Castellani before the match finished 4-2. The result demonstrates a step change in Roma's attacking output in the opening weeks of the 2026-27 season.

Roma have made a blistering start to the 2026–27 season under Gian Piero Gasperini, scoring seven goals across their first two Serie A fixtures. A dominant 4–0 victory over Fiorentina at the Olimpico in the opening match was followed by a 3–0 win away at Lecce, displaying the immediate attacking potency of Gasperini's tactical approach. The seven goals in the opening 180 minutes rank among Roma's best starts in recent years. Across the last nine Serie A seasons, only the 2021–22 campaign saw Roma match or exceed this output in their first two matches—when they also scored seven goals. The statistic underlines the impact of Gasperini's offensive system and how quickly the squad has absorbed his tactical concepts, establishing an exceptionally high offensive intensity from the outset of the campaign.

Donyell Malen scored within five minutes of Roma's visit to Lecce, capitalising on a defensive error to finish past Falcone with a precise shot. The goal was his fourth in two league matches, moving him into second place in a Roma statistical milestone: he is now the second Roma player in the last 65 years to score at least four goals in the opening two Serie A fixtures of a season, after Vincenzo Montella in 2004-05. Malen's form has been remarkable. He arrived at Roma as one of Europe's most prolific forwards, with 19 goals in 20 matches and a goal-per-game average. His four-goal haul comes after a hat-trick against Fiorentina in the opening fixture, establishing him as a central threat in Roma's attack from the outset of the 2026-27 campaign.

Roma's fourth goal in their second league match of the season came under VAR review after Lecce players appealed for handball against Molina, but the incident was ruled regular. The match officials were: Chiffi (referee), Di Paolo (VAR), Paganessi (assistant VAR), with Imperiale and Cecconi as line assistants and Di Bello as fourth official. Roma had taken the lead early when Dybala struck from a fortunate rebound after being in a regular position when the ball came to him. The second goal arrived after 23 minutes when Wesley provided a cross for Malen, who was in a regular position and beat Falcone. Malen received a yellow card in the eighth minute for handball.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the media before Roma's match against Lecce, highlighting the anomalous heat as a potential obstacle. Speaking to both DAZN and Sky Sport, Gasperini said: "Unusual heat that we have been dealing with for several months. We hoped that with the start of the season there would be less of it. I hope it does not also affect the fans." Gasperini drew comparisons to Roma's previous fixture against Fiorentina, in which the team delivered a strong performance and high tempo. "It is a characteristic of ours. Against Fiorentina we started very well, also exploiting the considerable enthusiasm that surrounds us. We know how difficult it is to play here in Lecce. We will have to deliver a high-level performance to win today as well." He noted that playing in such climatic conditions affects all teams equally, describing them as "fairly at the limit" but common at this time of year. Regarding team selection, Gasperini confirmed opportunities for Matías Soulé and squad depth, saying: "With these conditions you have to rely on those who are in good shape and completed their preparation like Soulé and Lulli. Everyone is ready. Football is now played with 16 players. Substitutions make even those starting on the bench count as starters." On the pairing of Paulo Dybala and Soulé, Gasperini stated: "No, they have also done very good things in the past. Given the prolonged absence of both last year, there have not been many chances to verify this."

Lecce defender Gaspar has highlighted the attacking threat posed by Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen ahead of his side's fixture against Roma. Speaking to DAZN, Gaspar outlined the defensive approach needed to contain the Roma pair: "Playing well, working it out properly. As a team we have to be careful, the defensive line must play simple and be attentive." Gaspar also reflected on his growing importance to Lecce this season, describing the responsibility as one shared across the squad. "This responsibility is for everyone, we must always do something to follow the objectives," he said. "I don't know if I'm a leader, everyone has to be one and we're on the right track."

Donyell Malen has entered the Serie A record books after scoring 19 goals in his first 20 league matches for Roma, a rate unseen in the Italian top flight for nearly seven decades. The forward marked his debut with a hat-trick against Fiorentina and followed that with two goals in 20 minutes against Lecce, continuing a relentless goalscoring run that has captivated the Giallorossi. Only Gunnar Nordahl (20 goals in 1949) and José Altafini (20 goals between 1958 and 1959) have scored more in their opening 20 Serie A matches. Malen, the former Aston Villa player, has also established himself as Roma's most efficient finisher in the club's history by goals per 90 minutes — a clear margin ahead of previous benchmarks. His clinical finishing and immediate impact have made him a transformative addition to the squad.

Donyell Malen scored within five minutes of Roma's visit to Lecce, capitalising on a defensive error to finish past Falcone with a precise shot. The goal was his fourth in two league matches, moving him into second place in a Roma statistical milestone: he is now the second Roma player in the last 65 years to score at least four goals in the opening two Serie A fixtures of a season, after Vincenzo Montella in 2004-05. Malen's form has been remarkable. He arrived at Roma as one of Europe's most prolific forwards, with 19 goals in 20 matches and a goal-per-game average. His four-goal haul comes after a hat-trick against Fiorentina in the opening fixture, establishing him as a central threat in Roma's attack from the outset of the 2026-27 campaign.

Roma's fourth goal in their second league match of the season came under VAR review after Lecce players appealed for handball against Molina, but the incident was ruled regular. The match officials were: Chiffi (referee), Di Paolo (VAR), Paganessi (assistant VAR), with Imperiale and Cecconi as line assistants and Di Bello as fourth official. Roma had taken the lead early when Dybala struck from a fortunate rebound after being in a regular position when the ball came to him. The second goal arrived after 23 minutes when Wesley provided a cross for Malen, who was in a regular position and beat Falcone. Malen received a yellow card in the eighth minute for handball.