Can anyone stop the “monster“ called Donyell Malen?

Last season, AS Roma and Donyell Malen proved to be a match made in heaven.

The Dutchman, who had been struggling to find the right club for some time, joined the Giallorossi on loan from Aston Villa, and even their most optimistic supporters didn’t have high expectations of him.

After all, he scored only 10 goals in 45 games for the Villans and hardly posed a threat to opposing defences.

However, once he arrived at Stadio Olimpico, everything changed dramatically. Malen suddenly turned into a “monster” and the most lethal striker in Italy, scoring 15 goals in 20 appearances for Roma and convincing the club’s board to trigger the option to buy and sign him permanently from Aston Villa for €25 million.

Considering today’s football fees, this amount was a genuine bargain. And after the start of the new campaign, it’s crystal clear – Roma got Malen on the cheap.

In the opening two Serie A games, the 27-year-old has scored FIVE goals, and aims to continue his ruthless run against Atalanta at home tonight (21.45).

Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini was impressed by Malen‘s performances, and even made a bold prediction in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport that the striker could break the joint Serie A record of 36 goals in a single season, held by Gonzalo Higuain and Ciro Immobile.

“It wouldn’t surprise me.”

Gian Piero Gasperini and Donyell Malen (©Image Photo Agency/Getty Images/Gallo Images)

“What struck me about him was his first touch, which creates space,”

“With the second, he prepares, with the third, he shoots. I said to myself: if I move those three touches close to the goal, he becomes lethal. Indeed…” the veteran tactician said.

Tonight, Gasperini faces his former club, at which he spent nine years (2016-2025), and hopes Malen will be at his best.

Another, even bigger Serie A derby will be played a couple of hours before the match in Rome, as Inter host Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (19.00) in a clash between two clubs that have claimed the last four Scudettos – two apiece.

The Nerazzurri were perfect in the opening two games, while the Neapolitans lost at home to Como last week (2-1) and will look to make amends with their fans.

The only question is whether a clash against the reigning champions of Italy is the ideal chance for redemption.

SERIE A – MATCHDAY 3

Friday

Genoa – Como 1-4 (1-3)

/Osmajic 19 – Baturina 25, Diao 30, 78, Paz 40

Saturday

17.00: (1.95) Fiorentina (3.45) Torino (4.00)

20.00: (1.65) Inter (3.70) Napoli (5.60)

22.45: (1.70) Roma (3.60) Atalanta (5.30)

Sunday

17.00: (2.75) Frosinone (3.25) Venezia (2.65)

17.00: (2.55) Parma (3.15) Monza (2.95)