Roma’s attack has found its centre of gravity in Donyell Malen. After a career in which he was often used wide at Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa, the Dutch forward has been given the central role he had long sought under Gian Piero Gasperini. Since arriving in January, he has turned that opportunity into one of Serie A’s defining stories.
A centre-forward role that changed the picture
Malen’s rise in Rome has been built on more than speed or finishing. He has brought together the traits that previously appeared separately in his game: explosive running, close control, strength, movement into space and a sharp instinct in front of goal.
Gasperini’s decision to use him through the middle has given Roma a forward capable of leading the line while remaining involved in the wider rhythm of the match. Malen presses high, attacks defenders early and offers runs beyond the back line, but he also helps create the situations from which he eventually scores.
- He joined Roma in January with the promise of a regular role as a centre-forward.
- He had previously spent periods playing as a winger at Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund.
- At Roma, he has become the principal reference point in the final third.
- His game combines early acceleration, dribbling, physical presence and intelligent occupation of space.
Numbers of a leading scorer
The output has been extraordinary. Malen has scored 20 goals in 23 Serie A appearances for Roma, while his overall return stands at 21 in 26 matches. In the 2026 calendar year, no player in Europe’s five major leagues has scored more often.
Those figures have placed him at the top of the league’s scoring chart and made him central to Roma’s ambitions across the season. His contribution is not confined to the penalty area: he can start moves with a press, stretch an opponent with a run and finish the same attack a few seconds later.
Gasperini’s comparison and the Dybala connection
Gasperini has seen similarities with Gianluca Vialli, particularly in Malen’s blend of power, direct running and constant involvement. Other elements of his play recall different great forwards: the ability to open up a defence can bring Thierry Henry to mind, while his reading of developing attacks has shades of Diego Milito.
Within the Roma squad, comparisons have also reached Ronaldo Nazario territory, largely because of Malen’s first burst over short distances and his ability to go past a defender before a recovery can be made. Such parallels are inevitably heavy for any player, but they reflect the impact of his first months in Italy rather than a finished verdict on his career.
The most important partnership, however, is the one he has formed with Paulo Dybala. Dybala has registered four league assists and created eight chances, the highest total in Serie A. Together, the pair have combined for seven Malen goals across their first 12 matches spanning last season and the current campaign.
- Dybala provides the final pass and the early vision.
- Malen supplies the runs, aggression and finishing.
- Their connection has become a central feature of Roma’s attacking play.
For Roma, this is more than a productive spell from a new signing. Malen’s emergence has altered the scale of their forward line, giving Gasperini a scorer who can make a match turn with one movement into space. On Italy’s Sunday afternoons, his first season in yellow and red is becoming one of the championship’s most decisive chapters.
