Malen meets his lookalike: Roma forward embraces viral fan Samuel after hat-trick display

Donyell Malen met his spitting image today and shared photographs of the encounter on social media with the caption: "Twin brother". The post went viral instantly among Roma supporters and across the internet. One commenter joked: "I reckon Koeman put him in the World Cup team..." referencing the Dutch national team coach. Malen has made a striking impression at Roma in recent months. The Dutch forward scored a hat-trick on his debut, held a DJ session in the post-match celebrations, and continues to capture supporters' attention both on and off the pitch.

Roma's hopes of signing Endrick this summer have effectively ended after Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho made clear his intention to keep the Brazilian forward at the club. Endrick, a 2006-born talent, was among the profiles monitored by Roma's management to strengthen their attack, but Mourinho's firm stance has closed off that avenue. Roma, under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, had been seeking an additional attacking reinforcement, and Endrick's availability on loan had emerged as a possible opportunity—particularly if the young player sought more playing time away from Madrid. Mourinho's public position, however, has significantly reduced the likelihood of a departure. The coach confirmed that Endrick had received approaches from multiple clubs interested in him on loan or permanent transfer but made clear his own preferences. Speaking in a press conference, Mourinho said: "It is a player I like very much and who has received many contacts from clubs that wanted him on loan or permanently. I did not want to either loan him out or sell him because I like him as a player and I would like to work with this young man who has important talent." Unless Real Madrid changes position in the remaining days of the transfer window, the Endrick path will close for Roma, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini to pursue alternative profiles to complete his forward line.

Roma has reached an agreement with Malick Fofana's representatives at Roc Nation, but a move remains contingent on Lyon's need to complete a significant sale to balance their books. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pressing the club's transfer leadership for another attacking winger to compete in the Champions League in these final days of the window, with Fofana and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens among the targets on the shortlist. The Lyon winger's path to Roma appears clear despite the French club's resistance on fees in recent days. According to L'Équipe, Roma secured the agreement with Fofana's camp as early as last week. Lyon's financial pressures and Fofana's preference for a move to Trigoria are both pushing the deal forward, though the player's final decision will come only tomorrow evening after Lyon's Champions League preliminary round return fixture against Fenerbahce. Fonseca's Lyon side knows Fofana's value well and has asked Roma for more than €35 million to release him, a figure that underscores the complexity of negotiations as both clubs manage competing priorities in the market.

Donyell Malen met his spitting image today and shared photographs of the encounter on social media with the caption: "Twin brother". The post went viral instantly among Roma supporters and across the internet. One commenter joked: "I reckon Koeman put him in the World Cup team..." referencing the Dutch national team coach. Malen has made a striking impression at Roma in recent months. The Dutch forward scored a hat-trick on his debut, held a DJ session in the post-match celebrations, and continues to capture supporters' attention both on and off the pitch.

Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick on his first competitive outing of the season as Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in their Serie A opener today. Paulo Dybala provided three assists for the Dutch forward in the emphatic display. The feat marked the first hat-trick on Serie A's opening day in a decade. The previous player to achieve the same milestone was Carlos Bacca, who scored three goals for Milan in a 3–2 win over Torino on 21 August 2016.

Gian Piero Gasperini deployed three different formations during Roma's match against Fiorentina, avoiding the 3-4-2-1 system that defined last season but never abandoning the aggressive one-on-one pressing and intensity that characterise his approach. The tactical adjustments were made to nullify Fiorentina's threats rather than to compensate for transfer market gaps or absences. Gasperini's willingness to shift shape underscores a deeper principle: Roma's behaviour remains unchanged regardless of formation. The side consistently attacks, with N'Dicka operating as a target on the attacking third and Mancini and Hermoso—later replaced by Koulierakis—covering the flanks. Fiorentina manager Grosso began in a 4-3-2-1 before moving to 4-2-4 when Roma went two goals clear. With Kean deployed alongside Pellegrino, Gasperini matched the adjustment with an identical system. The lineup featured Svilar in goal, Lulli, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso across the back, Cristante and Koné in midfield, and Soulé, Dybala, Malen and Wesley in attack. Soulé had replaced Mora at 2-0. When Grosso shifted to 4-3-3 late on, Gasperini responded by introducing El Aynaoui and Pisilli for Koné and Dybala, switching to a 3-5-1-1. This brought Mancini, N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back, a five-man midfield of Lulli, Pisilli, Cristante, El Aynaoui and Wesley, with Soulé supporting Castro in attack. Roma scored a fourth goal. Gasperini's track record with such adjustments is long and proven, but the club now needs a right-footed winger capable of providing thrust on the break and winning one-on-one duels. The manager will learn soon whether Chelsea is willing to negotiate for Gittens, and after Lyon play Fenerbahce tomorrow evening, whether an agreement with Fofana can be finalised.