Gian Piero Gasperini can not disguise his pleasure at Donyell Malen’s arrival for ‘He’s within the Gianluca Vialli mould, he’ll rating a ton of objectives.’
The Giallorossi knew that this was an enormous alternative to recapture fourth place after Juventus had been held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio final evening.
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They definitely took it, as Malen bagged a purpose both aspect of half-time to safe the 2-0 victory, beating a Cagliari aspect who had been coming off three consecutive wins, but had only one shot on course.
Gasperini feels Malen brings ‘huge repertoire’ to Roma
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen in motion in the course of the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photograph by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
“Undoubtedly it was an excellent efficiency, the primary half particularly was performed at a powerful tempo,”
“We had been coming off a defeat to Udinese, however the crew confirmed nice power of character to react to these difficulties, and in addition performed some superb soccer. It’s a pity we didn’t rating extra objectives, because it left the sport considerably open, however it was good.”
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Malen actually was the striker that the coach had been on the lookout for, having criticised the actions of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, which the previous Aston Villa man appears to already perceive so properly.
“I’m satisfied he’ll rating a ton of objectives this season, so we should know how one can give him the suitable service for his traits. We’ve bought high quality within the assault that’s tough to include now, as he has an enormous repertoire,” smiled Gasperini.
Within the post-match interview, Malen had been requested if he needed to observe within the footsteps of Serie A’s final Dutch legend Marco van Basten, and
“Van Basten was bodily very totally different too, however I do see extra similarities with Vialli, in his energy, the motion to shake off markers, diagonal runs attacking the area, there’s something within the Vialli mould,” insisted Gasperini.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen #14 together with his teammates of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening purpose in the course of the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photograph by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
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There was additionally a debut for January signing Bryan Zaragoza, who appeared significantly extra spectacular going ahead than when defending.
Now that the switch window has closed, did Gasperini get all of the traits he was on the lookout for to problem the others within the struggle for the highest 4?
“We at all times attempt to be as much as the requirements of our rivals. We have now caught Juventus, whereas Napoli and Milan are there, Inter have passed by now I believe, Atalanta and Como usually are not far behind us. If we’re up there after 24 rounds, that’s vital, however we need to continue to grow in assault.
“The arrival of Malen definitely provides us far more. Now we hope to get among the gamers again from harm, however it’s plain you want a prolific and environment friendly set of forwards, in any other case you’ll not obtain the celebrated targets.”
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores the crew’s second purpose in the course of the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photograph by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
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Cagliari solely actually threatened Roma with the assaults of wing-back Marco Palestra, who Gasperini had launched into the Atalanta squad final season.
“Palestra was born in 2005, so he’s a child, however already a high participant. We began coaching him with the youth crew on the age of 17, however seeing as Atalanta had an Underneath-23 crew arrange by then, and we had a whole lot of options within the function, he performed for them.
“He performed a bit in Serie A and the Champions League final season, so it helped, however he’s now actually flourishing at a younger age.”
In an unusually good temper, this was additionally a uncommon match and not using a single VAR intervention.
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“It was great, it’s the perfect! It means all the things went easily, we didn’t see a whole lot of stoppages both, so we bought to see extra soccer. When the referee sees all of it and is ready to decide with out cameras, that’s the proper match.”