Malen Sets Record Pace as Roma Chase Champions League Spot
Serie A·7 May 2026·105d 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.

● AI Generated Summary

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

Testo Originale / Source Text

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…

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

Read original on Forza Roma

More Serie A

Roma vs Atalanta ticket sales open: September 5 fixture details
Match ReportSerie A AI
2h ago

Roma vs Atalanta ticket sales open: September 5 fixture details

Roma have opened ticket sales for their Serie A fixture against Atalanta on September 5 at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. The match is the third round of the season and represents a high-level test for the Giallorossi, arriving after opening fixtures against Fiorentina at home and Lecce away. Tickets went on sale from 12:00 today. Supporters can find all pricing information and purchase tickets via the dedicated page on Roma's official website.

Roma open ticket sales for Atalanta clash on 5 September
Club NewsSerie A AI
2h ago

Roma open ticket sales for Atalanta clash on 5 September

Roma have opened ticket sales for their Serie A fixture against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September, with kickoff at 20:45. The match is the third round of the league season and will take place at the Olimpico. Tickets are available on the AS Roma website in the ticketing section, with sales having begun today at 13:00. The fixture comes after Roma's opening match of the campaign, which sees them face Fiorentina at home on Monday 24 August. The Atalanta encounter represents an early test for Gian Piero Gasperini's side as they begin their 2026–27 season.

Mora has four days to convince Gasperini ahead of Fiorentina clash; Soulé's starting place at risk
Squad NewsSerie A AI
6h ago

Mora has four days to convince Gasperini ahead of Fiorentina clash; Soulé's starting place at risk

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

More on Donyell Malen

Player profile →
Roma's season hinges on Malen and Dybala form, with Fofana deal reportedly set with Lyon
Transfer NewsOpinion AI
6h ago

Roma's season hinges on Malen and Dybala form, with Fofana deal reportedly set with Lyon

Radio pundits debated Roma's transfer strategy on 20 August, with analyst Sabatini arguing the season depends on how many goals Malen scores and how many matches Dybala can play. "It is difficult to think that they can play more than 20 matches as regular starters," Sabatini said on Radio Radio. Commentator Carina added that Roma has spent heavily but must make outgoings to balance the books, noting that Soulé's agent has guaranteed offers will arrive at Trigoria in the coming days. Carina also highlighted Roma's failure to sign a left-footed right winger despite it being a stated priority: "We are on 20 August and Roma has bought everything except that player." Marcacci suggested Fofana would have been a more useful acquisition than Mora for Roma's midfield needs, while Pes called for Roma to strengthen the attack with additional physicality and athleticism. Torri reported that an agreement exists between Lyon and Fofana, with conditions in place to close the deal. He also underlined Roma's two-year absence of a right-footed left winger despite spending over 10 million euros in that market. Speculation mounted around Koné's future, with Pes noting Manchester City interest but estimating Roma would demand 60 million euros for the midfielder.

Mora has four days to convince Gasperini ahead of Fiorentina clash; Soulé's starting place at risk
Squad NewsSerie A AI
6h ago

Mora has four days to convince Gasperini ahead of Fiorentina clash; Soulé's starting place at risk

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Gasperini eyes Fiorentina clash as Roma pursue Fofana and left-back reinforcements
Transfer NewsSquad News AI
6h ago

Gasperini eyes Fiorentina clash as Roma pursue Fofana and left-back reinforcements

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.

More on Paulo Dybala

Player profile →
Roma's season hinges on Malen and Dybala form, with Fofana deal reportedly set with Lyon
Transfer NewsOpinion AI
6h ago

Roma's season hinges on Malen and Dybala form, with Fofana deal reportedly set with Lyon

Radio pundits debated Roma's transfer strategy on 20 August, with analyst Sabatini arguing the season depends on how many goals Malen scores and how many matches Dybala can play. "It is difficult to think that they can play more than 20 matches as regular starters," Sabatini said on Radio Radio. Commentator Carina added that Roma has spent heavily but must make outgoings to balance the books, noting that Soulé's agent has guaranteed offers will arrive at Trigoria in the coming days. Carina also highlighted Roma's failure to sign a left-footed right winger despite it being a stated priority: "We are on 20 August and Roma has bought everything except that player." Marcacci suggested Fofana would have been a more useful acquisition than Mora for Roma's midfield needs, while Pes called for Roma to strengthen the attack with additional physicality and athleticism. Torri reported that an agreement exists between Lyon and Fofana, with conditions in place to close the deal. He also underlined Roma's two-year absence of a right-footed left winger despite spending over 10 million euros in that market. Speculation mounted around Koné's future, with Pes noting Manchester City interest but estimating Roma would demand 60 million euros for the midfielder.

Mora has four days to convince Gasperini ahead of Fiorentina clash; Soulé's starting place at risk
Squad NewsSerie A AI
6h ago

Mora has four days to convince Gasperini ahead of Fiorentina clash; Soulé's starting place at risk

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Gasperini eyes Fiorentina clash as Roma pursue Fofana and left-back reinforcements
Transfer NewsSquad News AI
6h ago

Gasperini eyes Fiorentina clash as Roma pursue Fofana and left-back reinforcements

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.

Feedback