Malen shines on Roma return with hat-trick against Fiorentina, leaving World Cup frustration behind

Santiago Castro made his AS Roma debut at the Olimpico on 25 August 2026 and celebrated in unforgettable fashion by announcing he is expecting his first child. The Argentine striker revealed the news on Instagram, writing: "We are very happy to say that our small family is growing. Eager and emotional to have you with us. We are waiting for you." Castro and his wife posed for a photograph on the pitch immediately after the match, holding a miniature Roma shirt bearing his name to mark both occasions at once. The couple chose to announce the pregnancy on the night of Castro's first appearance in the giallorossi shirt, combining two significant milestones into a single celebration. The photograph, taken in the stadium, carries dual meaning—recording both his debut and the arrival of a new generation to his family. Castro's daughter will be born in Rome, linking his child to the capital from birth.

Paulo Dybala delivered a performance against Fiorentina on 24 August that Roma fans have not seen before, returning to the form he showed at Juventus with tireless running, shooting, creativity and team play. The Argentine remained the squad's standout player, with the recovery of the ball in the second half and his physical intensity signalling a player in elite condition. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini knew what he had: Dybala completed the full pre-season preparation without missing a day and followed every instruction without compromise. Dybala's three assists were the headline, but the display itself raised an immediate question for Roma's ownership: what happens if he stays this sharp? The renewal contract he signed is built on performance bonuses—appearances, goals and assists—meaning the stronger he plays and the more he contributes, the more the Friedkins will pay. Yet that has become, by the club's own logic, a problem Roma wanted to have. The financial structure is detailed. Dybala cuts his base salary to 2.2 million euros—a reduction of over 70 per cent—but unlocked significant bonus layers. Each appearance as a starter with a minimum of 45 minutes earns 100,000 euros, up to a maximum of 20 matches totalling 2 million euros. From the 21st such appearance, that bonus rises to 150,000 euros per match. Substitute appearances of at least 20 minutes are worth 75,000 euros each. Goals and assists activate further bonuses: for every five combined across both categories, he earns between 100,000 and 1 million euros. Against Fiorentina, playing 79 minutes as a starter and recording three assists, Dybala already triggered 100,000 euros in appearance bonuses. The three assists fell short of the five needed to unlock the goals-and-assists tier—that remains in progress. In the post-match interview, Dybala said: "The will to stay has always been there." His commitment came down to an act of faith in his own talent and in Roma's project.

Emanuele Lulli made his Serie A debut in Roma's 4–0 victory over Fiorentina on 24 August 2026, delivering numbers that exceeded the seasonal average of predecessor Zeki Çelik. The 19-year-old academy product recorded four successful tackles, 56 touches, 86.5% pass accuracy, seven duels won out of ten, and a decisive recovery that led to Donyell Malen's goal for the 3–0. In the 2025–26 season, Çelik averaged a rating between 6.7 and 7.0 with roughly two tackles per 90 minutes and solid passing precision; Lulli's intensity and physicality in his opening match surpassed that baseline. The comparison extends beyond statistics. Çelik managed play with experience and positional sense across four years in the shirt; Lulli brought the aggressive, tireless profile that Gasperini has consistently sought in his wide defenders—more in the mould of a pressing, high-intensity fullback than a controlled operator. Gasperini's system rewards corsa, aggressiveness and constant covering rather than refined crossing. Çelik departed for Juventus without generating significant regret, but a Palestrina and Trigoria academy graduate has now demonstrated, at least in raw output, superior performance to the departed player's average. Lulli remains incomplete. He must improve his ball management and the quality of his final pass. He showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the context and contributed concretely to Roma's cause. The performance serves as more than tactical encouragement: it reinforces a working principle that the academy, when given proper development and managerial backing, can generate solutions better suited to Gasperini's model than external recruitment alone.

Emanuele Lulli made his Serie A debut in Roma's 4–0 victory over Fiorentina on 24 August 2026, delivering numbers that exceeded the seasonal average of predecessor Zeki Çelik. The 19-year-old academy product recorded four successful tackles, 56 touches, 86.5% pass accuracy, seven duels won out of ten, and a decisive recovery that led to Donyell Malen's goal for the 3–0. In the 2025–26 season, Çelik averaged a rating between 6.7 and 7.0 with roughly two tackles per 90 minutes and solid passing precision; Lulli's intensity and physicality in his opening match surpassed that baseline. The comparison extends beyond statistics. Çelik managed play with experience and positional sense across four years in the shirt; Lulli brought the aggressive, tireless profile that Gasperini has consistently sought in his wide defenders—more in the mould of a pressing, high-intensity fullback than a controlled operator. Gasperini's system rewards corsa, aggressiveness and constant covering rather than refined crossing. Çelik departed for Juventus without generating significant regret, but a Palestrina and Trigoria academy graduate has now demonstrated, at least in raw output, superior performance to the departed player's average. Lulli remains incomplete. He must improve his ball management and the quality of his final pass. He showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the context and contributed concretely to Roma's cause. The performance serves as more than tactical encouragement: it reinforces a working principle that the academy, when given proper development and managerial backing, can generate solutions better suited to Gasperini's model than external recruitment alone.

Donyell Malen earned a match rating of 8.7 from the daily newspapers after scoring a hat-trick in Roma's win over Fiorentina on 24 August, with Paulo Dybala rated 8.2 following three assists. Evan N'Dicka (7.2) and Manu Koné (7.1) also impressed, while Lulli impressed on his debut with 6.9. Lower down the ratings were Konstantinos Koulierakis and Matías Soulé (both 6.1), Mile Svilar (6.2) and Santiago Castro (6.3). Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini earned an overall rating of 7.7. The Malen–Dybala partnership has become central to Roma's attacking play. Across seven matches played together, Malen has scored seven goals, six of which came from Dybala's assists. The partnership reflects a growing understanding between the two forwards as Roma builds momentum through the early season. Gasperini granted the squad a rest day on 25 August following the Fiorentina victory, with players set to resume training on Wednesday, 26 August, ahead of the trip to Lecce. Malen spoke of the connection with Dybala: "Dybala sees before every movement I make—I am blessed to be able to play with him." Dybala added: "I wanted to play, I wanted to do it in this stadium, with my teammates and with this coach."

Roma's 2026–27 season began with a sold-out Stadio Olimpico as Emanuele Lulli, the 2007-born winger, made a mature and courageous competitive debut in a match against Fiorentina. Launched from the start by Gian Piero Gasperini in place of the absent Devyne Rensch and the underperforming Nahuel Molina, Lulli completed all 90 minutes in an assured display. Paulo Dybala's performance and Donyell Malen's hat-trick were also highlights as the crowd of 67,598 marked the 79th sell-out under Friedkin ownership, bolstered by the opening of the Distinti Nord Ovest sector to home supporters. The pre-match atmosphere crackled with tension as Roma unveiled the new faces in the squad. Before kickoff, the Curva Sud unfurled a banner reading "The path is laid out, we resume where we left off. The entire environment united towards the goal!", a rallying cry for collective focus. The crowd roared at every Dybala flourish and sang personalised chants for Malen as he was substituted following his treble, demonstrating the passionate backing that had driven a total of 80,000 season-ticket subscriptions over the summer. New recruits Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Santiago Castro and Rodrigo Mora were presented to the supporters during the warm-up, with Portuguese winger Dybala receiving the warmest reception.

Paulo Dybala delivered a performance against Fiorentina on 24 August that Roma fans have not seen before, returning to the form he showed at Juventus with tireless running, shooting, creativity and team play. The Argentine remained the squad's standout player, with the recovery of the ball in the second half and his physical intensity signalling a player in elite condition. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini knew what he had: Dybala completed the full pre-season preparation without missing a day and followed every instruction without compromise. Dybala's three assists were the headline, but the display itself raised an immediate question for Roma's ownership: what happens if he stays this sharp? The renewal contract he signed is built on performance bonuses—appearances, goals and assists—meaning the stronger he plays and the more he contributes, the more the Friedkins will pay. Yet that has become, by the club's own logic, a problem Roma wanted to have. The financial structure is detailed. Dybala cuts his base salary to 2.2 million euros—a reduction of over 70 per cent—but unlocked significant bonus layers. Each appearance as a starter with a minimum of 45 minutes earns 100,000 euros, up to a maximum of 20 matches totalling 2 million euros. From the 21st such appearance, that bonus rises to 150,000 euros per match. Substitute appearances of at least 20 minutes are worth 75,000 euros each. Goals and assists activate further bonuses: for every five combined across both categories, he earns between 100,000 and 1 million euros. Against Fiorentina, playing 79 minutes as a starter and recording three assists, Dybala already triggered 100,000 euros in appearance bonuses. The three assists fell short of the five needed to unlock the goals-and-assists tier—that remains in progress. In the post-match interview, Dybala said: "The will to stay has always been there." His commitment came down to an act of faith in his own talent and in Roma's project.

Donyell Malen earned a match rating of 8.7 from the daily newspapers after scoring a hat-trick in Roma's win over Fiorentina on 24 August, with Paulo Dybala rated 8.2 following three assists. Evan N'Dicka (7.2) and Manu Koné (7.1) also impressed, while Lulli impressed on his debut with 6.9. Lower down the ratings were Konstantinos Koulierakis and Matías Soulé (both 6.1), Mile Svilar (6.2) and Santiago Castro (6.3). Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini earned an overall rating of 7.7. The Malen–Dybala partnership has become central to Roma's attacking play. Across seven matches played together, Malen has scored seven goals, six of which came from Dybala's assists. The partnership reflects a growing understanding between the two forwards as Roma builds momentum through the early season. Gasperini granted the squad a rest day on 25 August following the Fiorentina victory, with players set to resume training on Wednesday, 26 August, ahead of the trip to Lecce. Malen spoke of the connection with Dybala: "Dybala sees before every movement I make—I am blessed to be able to play with him." Dybala added: "I wanted to play, I wanted to do it in this stadium, with my teammates and with this coach."

Roma's 2026–27 season began with a sold-out Stadio Olimpico as Emanuele Lulli, the 2007-born winger, made a mature and courageous competitive debut in a match against Fiorentina. Launched from the start by Gian Piero Gasperini in place of the absent Devyne Rensch and the underperforming Nahuel Molina, Lulli completed all 90 minutes in an assured display. Paulo Dybala's performance and Donyell Malen's hat-trick were also highlights as the crowd of 67,598 marked the 79th sell-out under Friedkin ownership, bolstered by the opening of the Distinti Nord Ovest sector to home supporters. The pre-match atmosphere crackled with tension as Roma unveiled the new faces in the squad. Before kickoff, the Curva Sud unfurled a banner reading "The path is laid out, we resume where we left off. The entire environment united towards the goal!", a rallying cry for collective focus. The crowd roared at every Dybala flourish and sang personalised chants for Malen as he was substituted following his treble, demonstrating the passionate backing that had driven a total of 80,000 season-ticket subscriptions over the summer. New recruits Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Santiago Castro and Rodrigo Mora were presented to the supporters during the warm-up, with Portuguese winger Dybala receiving the warmest reception.

Roma's faith in youth continues to bear fruit. Niccolò Pisilli and Daniele Ghilardi have already demonstrated that the club can develop young players alongside established stars, and now Lulli is reinforcing that message with his own fearless display. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has shown he is unafraid to field young talent immediately and without hesitation, trusting them to perform at the highest level without requiring a lengthy apprenticeship elsewhere. The approach reflects a broader shift in how Roma now treats academy graduates, driven partly by financial fair play requirements but rooted in genuine conviction that opportunity accelerates development. The long season ahead, with numerous competitions and fixtures, will require depth across the squad, and Gasperini has stressed that everyone will be needed. Young players bring hunger and a genuine desire to prove themselves and claim their place, creating what the article describes as a Roma that is both young at its core and ambitious at its summit. The combination allows academy products to grow while senior stars set the standard. However, Romano appears to be the exception to this pattern; while a loan to Avellino might have aided his development, remaining within this Roma squad is judged a more valuable opportunity. The club's youth academy continues to produce talent at a consistent rate. Rather than sending prospects out on loan as standard practice, Roma now retains them with greater confidence. This dual structure—where academy graduates develop through regular involvement while senior players lead the way—allows both groups to push in the same direction. Gasperini's willingness to deploy young players without hesitation has become a defining feature of his Roma tenure.

Roma opened their 2026–27 campaign with a dominant 4–0 victory over Fiorentina, with the partnership of Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala at the heart of a scintillating display. Malen scored three goals, all created by Dybala's playmaking, before Niccolò Pisilli sealed the result in the closing stages, replacing Manu Koné. The standout impression came from young left-back Lulli, who delivered an assured performance in his first Serie A start at the highest level. The emphatic win provided an ideal platform for Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma to begin the new season. Dybala's creative excellence underpinned the attacking threat throughout, while the defence was sufficiently organised to limit Fiorentina to no clear opportunities. The performance suggested Roma's front-four setup—with Dybala in a creative role alongside Malen—could prove a potent combination in the campaign ahead. Italian football newspapers were unanimous in their praise of the performance and individual displays. La Gazzetta dello Sport awarded Malen 8.5 and Dybala 8, with Gasperini earning an 8 overall. Corriere dello Sport went higher, rating both attackers 9 and the coach 8. Corriere della Sera gave Malen 9 and Dybala 8, with Gasperini receiving 7.5. Il Messaggero and Tuttosport were slightly more measured, rating Malen 8.5 and 8 respectively, and Dybala 8 across both outlets. Lulli received ratings of 6.5 to 7.5 across the publications for his assured debut display.

Roma demolished Fiorentina 4–0 in a commanding display, with Donyell Malen scoring a hat-trick to lead the charge. Paulo Dybala contributed three assists and Manu Koné was withdrawn only through fatigue, underlining Roma's control. Debutant Daniele Ghilardi impressed in an early appearance, while Evan N'Dicka stood firm at the back as the team moved to 3–4–1–2 formation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. All five major Italian newspapers awarded Roma positive marks across the board. Svilar received ratings between 6 and 6.5 in goal. The defence was solid, with N'Dicka rated 7 to 7.5 by all outlets and Mancini and Hermoso both praised. In midfield, Cristante earned 6.5 to 7, while Wesley was rated 6 to 7 on the flank. Koné's 6.5 to 7.5 reflected his strong showing before substitution. Malen's 8.5 to 9 and Dybala's 8 to 9 dominated the attacking ratings. Corrections made 68 minutes in saw Koulierakis introduced for Hermoso, while Pisilli replaced Koné at 79 minutes. Rodrigo Mora (6.5) and later Matías Soulé (6) featured in attack; Santiago Castro entered for Malen at 68 minutes. Gasperini earned 7.5 to 8 from the press corps. N'Dicka's display of 7 to 7.5, Koné's energy and Ghilardi's first appearance highlighted a Roma side functioning with precision and depth throughout.