
Gasperini backs Malen to play as centre-forward, not on the wing
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has clarified his vision for Donyell Malen's role at Roma, insisting the forward must play centrally rather than out wide. Speaking on Rai Radio 1, Gasperini addressed Malen's recent performances with the Netherlands at the World Cup, where the winger played in a wider position. Gasperini acknowledged that international tournaments often catch players mid-season and that fatigue from a demanding campaign can affect performance levels. He noted that individual form frequently mirrors the fortunes of the national team, and highlighted historical uncertainty about how best to deploy Malen. However, Gasperini was emphatic about his own tactical preferences: "Malen indubitably reflects the performance of the Netherlands. In the past there has always been this doubt about how to use him and to place him wider, but never for me! For me he must play in front of goal." The coach's comments signal a clear strategic intention to maximise Malen's impact by positioning him in a central attacking role at Roma, moving away from the wider deployment he experienced internationally.









