Gian Piero Gasperini says Donyell Malen has gone well beyond expectations at Roma, with the forward’s 19 goals in 21 Serie A appearances underlining why he has become such a central figure ahead of Monday’s Torino Vs Roma fixture.
Roma arrive at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino after winning their first three league matches of the season, and the next step is to protect that perfect start. Gasperini has seen enough to know the challenge is no longer about promise. It is about sustaining a level that has already put Roma in a strong early position.
The head coach was direct about Malen’s impact, saying: “It is extraordinary, the statistics around Malen, especially for his sheer consistency.” He added: “I knew that signing Malen would be an important step for us, but he's gone well beyond any expectations.”
Malen has become Roma's main attacking reference
That record is especially striking when set against the way the season has begun. Malen opened the 2026-27 campaign with a hat-trick against Fiorentina, then followed it with a brace at Lecce on matchday two. Those numbers fit the broader pattern of his impact since arriving in January, when he joined Roma from Aston Villa initially on loan.
For Roma, the important point is not only that Malen is scoring, but that he is doing so with consistency. Gasperini pointed to that reliability as one of the clearest signs that the forward has settled quickly into the side and become a player the team can build around.
Roma also know they are not relying on one man alone. Paulo Dybala has been central to the club’s early league form too, with four assists in three starts. That balance has helped Roma to three straight wins in Serie A, while Gasperini continues to stress that the squad is only beginning to find its rhythm.
Torino is the next test of Roma's momentum
The last few days have offered both encouragement and a reminder of the demands still ahead. Roma completed a comeback win over Atalanta in their last league match, but then drew 1-1 with Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Thursday. Now the focus returns to Serie A, where Monday’s trip to Torino is the next test of whether the early momentum can continue.
Gasperini has made it clear that he wants his team to keep moving forward rather than dwell on what has already happened. “We need a great performance against Torino and must forget the last match,” he said. He also noted: “It's all about looking forward, as there is no time in modern football.”
There is still a defensive question for Roma to manage, even with the attack producing enough to win games. Gasperini admitted: “We do have to be more focused on avoiding goals defensively, though.”
That may be the key point heading into Torino Vs Roma. Roma have the goals, the form and the confidence, but the next league match will show whether they can keep the standards high enough to make a perfect start last a little longer.
