AS Roma's new loan signing Donyell Malen announced his arrival in Italian football with a spectacular two-goal debut, inspiring his side to a 2-0 Serie A victory away at Torino on Sunday. The Dutch forward, who joined from Aston Villa just days before the match, formed an instant and devastating partnership with Paulo Dybala, leaving the Giallorossi coaching staff reportedly asking, 'who on earth have we just signed?'
An Instant Connection with Dybala
The match was transformed into a showcase for Roma's new attacking duo from the 20th minute onwards. Dybala, the creative heartbeat, consistently found Malen with incisive passes. The Dutchman's first significant contribution saw him test Torino goalkeeper Alberto Paleari after a perfectly weighted through ball.
Malen quickly demonstrated his unselfishness, holding up play on the edge of the box to draw multiple defenders before laying the ball back to Dybala, who fired just wide. The breakthrough, however, was only delayed. After a disallowed goal for a marginal offside, Malen did not have to wait long.
Within 70 seconds of the restart after the VAR check, he found the net legitimately, side-footing home from six yards after yet another assist from the impeccable Dybala. The Argentine maestro would later add a goal of his own in the second half to seal the three points.
Gasperini's Vision for His New Number Nine
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini was unsurprised by the immediate impact. He has identified Malen as the solution to his side's goalscoring troubles, viewing him as a central striker despite his versatility. "In my ideal world he gets to play at centre-forward, with the rest of the team set up to exploit his qualities," Gasperini stated after the match.
The swift completion of the loan deal, with vice-president Ryan Friedkin personally involved, underscores the club's commitment to Gasperini's project. The agreement includes an obligation to buy for a reported €25 million, but only if Roma qualify for European competition and Malen meets certain appearance criteria, making it a low-risk move with high potential reward.
Malen's arrival addresses a critical need for a Roma side that boasts the league's tightest defence but has struggled for consistent firepower, with injuries to strikers like Artem Dovbyk hampering their progress.
Broader Context: Roma's Ambition and Torino's Troubles
The victory solidifies Roma's hold on fourth place as they push for a return to the Champions League after a six-year absence. The performance of Dybala, whose contract expires this summer, was a poignant reminder of his world-class talent, posing a difficult financial dilemma for the club given his injury record.
For Torino, the defeat highlighted a season of struggle. They have conceded the joint-most goals in Serie A this term, and their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed. Manager Marco Baroni's attempts to change their style have been abandoned, and a lack of squad depth, exacerbated by injuries and international duty, has left them languishing.
The result also served as swift revenge for Roma, who were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by a different Torino lineup just five days earlier. The introduction of Dybala from the start, alongside the explosive debut of Malen, proved the decisive difference.
Speaking after the match, Malen summarised the secret to his fast start simply: "It's easy to play with Paulo." Dybala reciprocated, praising the forward's intelligent movement. If this partnership continues to flourish, Roma's surprise at their new signing will quickly turn into unbridled excitement for what is to come.
