Donyell Malen seems unstoppable in Italy. The Dutchman enjoyed a dream start at AS Roma and once again played a key role against Juventus. The Italian media were ecstatic about Malen.
AS Roma and Juventus served up a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, a match that once again revolved around the relentless form of Donyell Malen.
The Dutch forward continued his blistering start in Italy and, even on a night that ended with late frustration for the home side, he emerged as the figure the Roman crowd could not take their eyes off.
“The Stadio Olimpico is already at Malen’s feet,” wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport. “For Roma fans, their joy is already tied to Malen’s eyes and smile. There he was again. Without the final minutes of the match, it would have been the perfect evening. Roma have a little light that never goes out. And that warms the hearts of the Giallorossi fans, even on a night full of regret. The Dutch striker, always in top form and never in the shadows, scored another magnificent goal and once again proved to be calm and clinical in front of goal.”
For La Gazzetta, Malen’s influence went well beyond the decisive touches. His movement and his constant willingness to combine with teammates were highlighted as key elements in how Roma attacked Juventus. “It was a match in which he was constantly hunting for goals, always looking for combinations with his teammates like a modern player, a real striker,” the newspaper continued. “Another lob, it has become a fixed part of the former Aston Villa player’s repertoire, after his winning lob against Cagliari. Despite the surprising outcome (3-3), Malen’s performance remains impressive. A well-deserved reward for the striker, whose impact on Serie A has been devastating.”
That sense of inevitability around Malen is now being echoed across Italy. Since arriving, he has quickly become the central reference point in Roma’s attacking play, the player teammates seek out when tempo needs to rise and the one opponents struggle to read because he can hurt them in different ways. Whether he is drifting into channels, offering a direct run behind the defensive line, or dropping just enough to create a passing lane, he keeps defenders busy and creates space for others to attack.
The numbers already back up the hype. Malen has scored six goals in his first seven matches. Since his Serie A debut on 18 January, only Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, with nine, has scored more goals in Europe’s five biggest leagues over the same period. For Corriere dello Sport, the conclusion was simple and emphatic. “Malen cannot be stopped,” the paper wrote. “Six goals in seven matches, George Clooney would say: ‘What else?’ He bamboozles Juventus’ defence, sprints all over the pitch and scores with a Totti-style lob. Decisive, indispensable, deadly. Roma have changed since his arrival.”
Rome-based Il Messaggero focused on the completeness of Malen’s performance against Juventus, stressing that the forward did not need constant support around him to remain dangerous. “In the first half he produced an impressive first touch in a difficult situation,” the newspaper began. “Malen often found himself alone in the middle of the Juventus defence, but remained a constant threat. And he was involved in all three goals. For the first, it was his header that led to Pisilli’s save; for the second, he was the one who forced the corner; and for the third, he went on a run with the ball at his feet that brought to mind a sprinter wearing velvet shoes. Ask Lloyd Kelly for more details.”
That description underlined how Malen is shaping matches through continuity rather than isolated moments. Even when Roma’s build-up becomes more direct and the team is stretched, he still manages to be the first to a second ball, the outlet for a quick transition, or the spark for a move that shifts the balance of the game. His physical sharpness is also standing out, as he repeatedly accelerates into space, presses with intensity, and then still has the composure to finish with finesse when chances arrive.
The draw itself left a bittersweet taste, especially after a scenario that seemed to be turning into another statement win at home. But the reaction from Italy’s biggest sports outlets suggests Roma supporters are already framing this period through Malen’s presence: a forward in unstoppable form, producing goals and decisive actions with a mixture of speed, technique, and ruthless efficiency. Even in a 3-3 that felt like a missed opportunity, the story of the night remained the same for many observers: Malen is becoming the face of Roma’s new momentum, and Serie A is learning fast how difficult he is to contain.
