ROME (AP) — Donyell "Bobby" Malen, the talented forward for AS Roma, recently captured attention with a viral social media video where he parked a three-wheel Piaggio Ape and declared his commitment to the club over an espresso. His decision to stay in the Eternal City is proving to be a significant one, as he has quickly become a standout player for the Giallorossi.
In just two matches this season, Malen has netted five goals, bringing his total to an impressive 19 goals in 20 appearances since joining Roma on loan from Aston Villa in January. This remarkable scoring rate places him among the elite in Italian football history; only Gunnar Nordahl and José Altafini have scored more than 19 goals in their first 20 matches in Serie A. Notably, no player has scored five goals in the opening two matches of a season since Gabriel Batistuta achieved this feat with Fiorentina in 1997.
AS Roma has started the season strongly, winning both of their opening matches with a total of eight goals scored and none conceded. This dominant performance has positioned them at the top of the Serie A table, raising hopes among fans that the team could be in contention for the league title for the first time in decades. Malen's contributions have been pivotal, showcasing his finishing ability with goals that often require minimal touches before finding the back of the net. In a recent 4-0 victory over Lecce, he needed just one touch for both of his goals, while his backheel assist in another 4-0 win against Fiorentina set the stage for a hat trick.
Roma's coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, praised Malen's exceptional skill set, noting his ability to control the ball, turn, and accelerate in quick succession, which are vital traits for a center forward. At 27 years old, the €25 million ($29 million) fee Roma paid to make Malen's move permanent appears to be a wise investment, especially given his early season form.
Malen has drawn comparisons to the prolific Gonzalo Higuain, known for his scoring prowess at clubs like Real Madrid, Napoli, and Juventus. Gasperini acknowledged the similarities in their playing styles, particularly in their speed and execution, although he noted that Malen is slightly less physically robust than Higuain.
Despite his impressive club form, Malen's performance at the World Cup was less than stellar; he started all three group matches for the Netherlands without scoring and was benched during the knockout stage against Morocco. Nevertheless, his nickname "Bobby" is a nod to an Italian tribute song to Bob Marley, highlighting the cultural blend that characterizes his experience in Italy.
Looking ahead, AS Roma will face Atalanta, Gasperini's former club, in their next Serie A match. The team is also set to return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2018-19 season, with their opening match against Fenerbahce next week, followed by a highly anticipated encounter with Real Madrid and former coach José Mourinho in October.
In addition to Malen's contributions, Paulo Dybala has also been instrumental, assisting on all three of Malen's goals against Fiorentina. Dybala, who has faced injury challenges, took a pay cut to extend his contract with Roma in July, further demonstrating his commitment to the club. The team has also been active in the transfer market, bringing in several key players, including Santiago Castro from Bologna and Rodrigo Mora from Porto, enhancing their squad depth.
As AS Roma looks to build on their strong start, fans will be eager to see more goals from Malen, alongside their beloved espressos, as the season unfolds.
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