Gasperini: Roma's squad must be expanded; young players will have to deliver against Genoa

Donyell Malen says his understanding with Paulo Dybala emerged almost immediately after arriving at Roma, crediting their quick connection to a mix of intelligent movement and quality playmaking from both players. In an interview with podcast Tutto in Piazza, Malen reflected on the partnership despite the language barrier—Malen does not speak Spanish and Dybala does not speak Dutch. "From the first or second training session together," he said when asked when the understanding was born. "I think it's a combination of the two things. Sometimes I move well, other times he plays excellent football. It's something we try to exploit to be dangerous during matches." Malen has impressed since joining Roma, and he attributes his goal-scoring form to maturity, squad cohesion, and the environment. "I naturally have played a lot of football in my career and I believe I'm in the right place, with the right people. I feel a lot of confidence from the coach and my teammates," he said. "I think all these factors together create the ideal conditions to perform at my best." Malen explained that he chose to leave Aston Villa because he wanted to play every weekend in a role where he felt important. On Italian football's tactical differences from England, he noted that Italian sides organize defensively with compactness, whereas English football favours more open play: "Here, some teams organise differently. For example, they know how to defend with five players and build a very compact defensive block, which becomes difficult to overcome. It's a big difference from England, where there is a greater tendency to play man-to-man and attack, with more open matches. Here it's not always like that." Malen praised Roma's squad depth, mentioning Niccolò Pisilli as very young but talented, alongside Matías Soulé and others. He highlighted Gasperini's demanding training methods as physically tough but beneficial: "They're really very hard. That's why I learned that word [for tired]. The training sessions are hard and Gasperini doesn't mess around, but it's a positive thing for the squad. Everyone is in shape and I feel very good physically." He confirmed his preferred position is central, where he feels most comfortable and dangerous. Reflecting on his youth career, Malen played for Ajax in the Netherlands from ages 9 to 16, then Arsenal until 18, before returning to PSV in the Dutch second and first divisions. "Having the chance to grow in different youth sectors was really important for me," he said. Malen also noted that summer heat in Italy affects the pace of play compared to England's cold and rain, and he dismissed claims he is a simulator or argues with referees, saying he prefers to stay focused. His standout moment this season came in the opening match, where he scored a hat-trick, though he emphasised the squad's strength and unity: "I think the first match went very well. Of course scoring a hat-trick was important, but I believe that, as a team, we are very strong and united on the pitch."

Donyell Malen has established himself as one of Roma's standout performers in the early stages of the 2026–27 season, scoring goals with consistency and forging an immediate understanding with Paulo Dybala. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, the Dutch forward reflected on his rapid adaptation to the club, his decision to leave Aston Villa, and the intensity of Gasperini's training methods. Malen explained that he chose to depart Aston Villa because he wanted to play every Sunday, stating: "I was the one who wanted to leave Aston Villa. I wanted to play every Sunday, it is important. I believe I made the right choice." His partnership with Dybala has flourished from the outset. "There is a connection, it is funny, I saw it on the internet. We have a football bond, football does not need the same language. From the first training session we got on well, it is both that I am good at moving and he is good at giving me the ball at the right times, we try to make the game engaging." Malen also scored a hat-trick on his opening appearance for the club and netted a double against Real Madrid. When asked what struck him most about Roma, Malen answered: "What struck me about Roma are the fans and my teammates. We all have the ambition to take the club to success, and that touched me deeply. It is a great club with extraordinary people." On Gasperini's demanding training philosophy, he acknowledged the difficulty without exaggeration: "Gasperini's training sessions are difficult, but I have never vomited. That is why I learned the word 'tired', I must say so. Sometimes it is really too much, it is hard training. However, it is good for the squad, we are all fit. We push ourselves, we train as we play." Malen is learning Italian and has absorbed key football terminology: 'Donyell', 'difficult', 'tired', 'very', 'hot', 'good', 'brave', 'penalty', 'referee', 'offside'. He praised several teammates—Niccolò Pisilli, Matías Soulé, Devyne Rensch and Manu Koné—as strong players with their own strengths. Malen expressed confidence in Roma's prospects, saying: "I have scored a hat-trick on my first appearance, I think we are very strong. We did not beat Inter by little, I think we can do something great." He also noted the tactical differences between Italian and English football: "Here the climate is different, it is very hot. In England it is cold and rains a lot. The philosophy is different too, teams are organized differently. Here there is more tactics, some teams defend in a block and it is difficult to penetrate them. In England they play more freely, they leave open space."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has criticised the fixture calendar ahead of Roma's match against Genoa, saying the schedule demands a broad squad or clubs will suffer the consequences. Roma are managing injuries with Manu Koné sidelined by a first-degree muscle strain and expected to return for the Sassuolo fixture, while Paulo Dybala is dealing with fatigue. Gasperini expressed hope to have Dybala available again the following week.