Stars in Europe - Netherlands - Keyplayer - Roma's Malen magic
The Details
Roma are back in the Champions League after seven years away, and Donyell Malen is the man leading the charge. The Dutch striker arrived from Aston Villa on loan in January, scored 15 goals in 20 games and fired Roma to third place in Serie A. Because of that, his option to buy became an obligation. He has signed a four-year deal through to June 2030.
The Domestic Flying Start
Gian Piero Gasperini's side sit top of Serie A, above reigning champions Inter on goal difference. Roma are unbeaten after five league games, their best start since 2014/15. Gasperini has been careful not to call it a title race, but Roma were rampant before the international break. He is also one win away from his 300th Serie A victory as a manager.
The Malen Factor
14 Serie A goals last season, a total only Lautaro Martínez topped. Only Zlatan Ibrahimović and Ronaldo have scored as many in a Serie A season with fewer than 20 appearances in the three points for a win era. He has 23 goals in the calendar year for Roma. "He's incredibly valuable," said Gasperini.
The European Reality
The Champions League has been tougher. Roma led in both of their opening games but won neither. The Real Madrid night at the Olimpico was the cruelest: Marten de Roon and a Malen brace put Roma 3:1 ahead before Madrid struck in the 83rd, 85th and 90th minutes to win 4:3. José Mourinho, the man who delivered Roma's first European trophy in 2022, got a hero's welcome from the fans. But yesterday, Roma celebrated the first victory in this year's competition and defeated Bratislava 4:0.
The Slovan Test
Before the match, Gasperini called the clash with bottom-side Slovan Bratislava a must-win. Sixteen points have been enough for the top eight in each of the last two seasons, so Roma needed five wins from their last six games. Malen is back after suspension, and no player has ever scored or assisted in each of Roma's first three matches of a Champions League campaign.
The Closer
Top of Serie A, a point to prove in Europe, and a striker who cannot stop scoring. Roma's season is only getting started.
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