Malen Scores On Dream Roma Debut In Torino Clash

Donyell Malen’s arrival at Roma has already started to make waves, and if Saturday’s performance against Torino is any indicator, the Giallorossi faithful have plenty to be excited about. On January 18, 2026, at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Malen made a dream debut, scoring his first goal for Roma and helping the team clinch a 2-0 victory over Torino in Serie A. The result not only avenged their recent Coppa Italia heartbreak but also propelled Roma clear in fourth place, signaling a possible turning point in their season.

It’s been a whirlwind week for both clubs. Just five days earlier, these sides locked horns in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, with Torino snatching a dramatic 3-2 win in the capital. That loss stung for Roma, but the club wasted no time in bolstering their ranks. The arrivals of Donyell Malen from Aston Villa and Robinio Vaz have injected fresh energy into Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad—a necessity, given the mounting injury list that’s plagued the Giallorossi.

Malen’s transfer from Aston Villa was finalized on a loan deal worth €2 million, with an option to buy that could become an obligation for an additional €25 million at season’s end. Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini was candid about his expectations for the Dutch striker. “He wants me to play upfront, to get at defenders, and score as many goals as possible. I think we are a good team, we are among the top teams, so we’ve got to win games and keep going,” Malen told Sky Sport Italia before his debut.

With a host of Roma’s attacking options sidelined—Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Stephan El Shaarawy, Leon Bailey, and Tommaso Baldanzi all out injured—Malen was thrown straight into the starting lineup. He was supported by Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, the latter making his comeback after a month-long absence. The pressure was on, but Malen wasted no time making his mark.

From the opening whistle, Roma looked determined to seize control. Pellegrini scuffed an early chance wide, and Malen’s angled drive forced a sharp save from Torino’s Alberto Paleari. The chemistry between Malen and Dybala was evident, with the pair combining for a near-miss before Mario Hermoso’s injury forced Torino into an early substitution.

It wasn’t long before Malen thought he’d opened his Roma account. Latching onto a Dybala pass, he cut inside and toe-poked the ball into the bottom corner. The celebrations were cut short, however, as VAR ruled the debutant marginally offside. But Malen wasn’t to be denied. Minutes later, he capitalized on another Dybala assist, calmly sweeping the ball in from seven yards to give Roma the lead in the 26th minute. The goal was a testament to his predatory instincts and immediate adaptation to Serie A football.

Torino’s woes deepened as they lost Zakaria Aboukhlal to a left thigh injury, adding to a growing list of absentees that already included Ivan Ilic, Ali Dembele, Zanos Savva, Perr Schuurs, Adam Masina (on AFCON duty), and Duvan Zapata (family matter). Giovanni Simeone, only fit enough for the bench, watched as his side struggled to mount a response.

Roma’s defense, marshaled by Evan Ndicka—recently returned from international duty—stood firm. Devyne Rensch, a late addition after Zeki Celik pulled out in the warm-up, slotted in seamlessly. Torino’s best chance came when Valentin Lazaro prodded a shot into Mile Svilar’s arms, while Ndicka’s last-ditch tackle denied Cyril Ngonge a clear run on goal.

As the match wore on, Roma’s control grew. Dybala, hungry to end his own goal drought, forced Paleari into a one-handed save. The rebound was worked to Rensch, whose pull-back allowed Dybala to dink a clever finish off the outside of his boot from six yards—his first Serie A goal in almost three months, coming in the 72nd minute. Gianluca Mancini’s involvement in the build-up underscored the team’s collective effort.

Malen nearly bagged a second, firing into the side-netting after a surging run from Wesley Franca, and Robinio Vaz made his Roma debut as a substitute, nearly scoring himself only to be denied by Paleari’s legs. Torino pressed for a consolation, with Che Adams’ angled drive grazing the post and Saul Coco firing wide, but the hosts couldn’t break through.

The 2-0 victory was more than just three points for Roma. It marked a statement of intent after their Coppa Italia disappointment and showcased the immediate impact of their new signings. For Malen, it was the perfect start to his Italian adventure—a goal, a win, and the adulation of his new supporters.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Roma’s transfer activity shows no signs of slowing. The club has reportedly submitted an €8 million bid to Fiorentina for left-back Niccolò Fortini, seeking to shore up the left flank amid medical issues for Angelino and inconsistent performances from Tsimikas. Fiorentina is holding out for €15 million, but with Fortini’s contract expiring in 2027 and renewal talks stalling, a compromise around €12-13 million could be in the cards. The drive to strengthen the squad reflects Gasperini’s ambition to keep Roma among Italy’s elite.

Back in Birmingham, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery spoke candidly about Malen’s departure. “It’s a tough decision but it makes sense. There are three parts involved in the decision—firstly the player, he was helping us, scoring goals, not being consistent in the starting 11 but for me he was very important and he knew it. I spoke with him a lot. Second part is about the player, he was happy but not enough like he wanted. He opened his door to listen in case something can give him something better than us and the last part is the club and for the club it’s a good deal. For me I preferred him to stay here but I accept it. It’s a good deal for the club and it’s a good deal for him,” Emery explained during his January 16 press conference.

With Malen’s move to Rome, both player and club are looking forward to new chapters. For Roma, the hope is that this result and the energy of their new arrivals can spark a sustained push up the Serie A table. For Aston Villa, the focus shifts back to the Premier League, where they chase a club record of 12 consecutive home wins and aim to stay in the hunt for top positions.

As the dust settles on a memorable night in Turin, Roma fans can savor a rare combination: a new hero scoring on debut, an emphatic response to recent adversity, and a club that’s not done making moves. The Giallorossi’s ambitions are clear—and with Donyell Malen leading the line, the road ahead just got a lot more interesting.