Malen Shines On Debut As Roma Defeat Torino

It was a night of redemption, milestones, and new beginnings for Roma as they secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on January 18, 2026. Just days after a stinging Coppa Italia exit at the hands of the same opponent, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men returned to Turin determined to rewrite the script—and did they ever deliver!

The spotlight shone brightest on Donyell Malen, Roma’s headline-grabbing winter acquisition from Aston Villa. Having only arrived in the Italian capital earlier in the week, the Dutch forward wasted no time making an impact. Thrust straight into the starting lineup, Malen needed just 26 minutes to announce his arrival. After a slick move down the right, Paulo Dybala threaded a precise ball across the box. Malen, showing composure beyond his years, coolly slotted home from close range to put the visitors ahead. The away crowd erupted, and Malen’s teammates swarmed him in celebration. For a player making his debut, it was the stuff of dreams.

“Donyell Malen has had the dream debut for Roma after scoring the Giallorossi’s opening goal in their away match against Torino,” reported the club’s official website, echoing the excitement felt by fans and pundits alike. The move for Malen, a loan deal with an obligation to buy for €25 million should Roma qualify for the Champions League, already looks like a shrewd piece of business. If this debut is any indication, Malen may soon become a fixture in the Giallorossi’s attack.

But Malen wasn’t the only Roma player making headlines. Gianluca Mancini, the club’s stalwart defender, reached a remarkable milestone—his 300th official appearance for Roma. Since joining from Atalanta in July 2019 for around €21 million, Mancini has grown from a promising young center-back into the heart and soul of Roma’s backline. Over seven seasons, he’s averaged more than 45 games per campaign, peaking at an astonishing 51 during the year of the Budapest final. His knack for crucial goals—over 18 in total—has made him a fan favorite, with memorable strikes in the 2024 derby and a brace against AC Milan in the Europa League quarterfinals.

Mancini’s influence extends beyond defensive solidity. He’s a leader in the dressing room, surviving managerial changes from Mourinho to De Rossi, Ranieri, and now Gasperini. His trophy cabinet includes the Conference League triumph in Tirana in 2022, where his assist for Zaniolo clinched the title. Even after heartbreak in the Europa League final against Sevilla, Mancini’s commitment has never wavered. Tonight, his 300th appearance was marked not just by defensive steel, but by a yellow card—proof that some things never change!

The stakes for Roma were sky-high. After Cagliari stunned Juventus 1-0 in Sardinia the previous evening, the Giallorossi had a golden opportunity to leapfrog the Old Lady and seize sole possession of fourth place in Serie A. With a seven-team dogfight for the league’s four coveted Champions League spots, every point is precious. Gasperini, perhaps with revenge on his mind after the Coppa Italia exit, sent out a bold lineup featuring both of his new attacking options.

The match itself was a tense, tactical battle. Early on, Torino pressed high and looked to exploit any nerves in the Roma ranks. The home side thought they’d taken the lead, but a VAR review chalked off Donyell Malen’s initial effort for offside. Unfazed, Malen continued to threaten, and when the breakthrough came, it was a thing of beauty. Paulo Dybala, ever the creative force, danced through midfield and picked out Malen with a pinpoint pass. The Dutchman’s finish was clinical, sending a message to Serie A defenders: he’s here to stay.

Torino responded with energy, forcing a series of saves from Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Ché Adams and Cyril Ngonge both came close, but Svilar stood tall, denying the hosts with sharp reflexes. The first half ended with Roma holding a slender lead, but with the memory of their midweek collapse still fresh, nothing was taken for granted.

After the break, Roma grew in confidence. The midfield trio of Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Manu Koné controlled the tempo, while the defense, marshaled by Mancini and Evan Ndicka, kept Torino’s attackers at bay. Substitutions brought fresh legs, with Kostas Tsimikas and Niccolò Pisilli entering the fray to shore up the flanks.

Then, in the 70th minute, Roma struck again. Devyne Rensch surged forward from right-back, exchanging passes with Dybala before whipping in a low cross. Dybala, always alert, met the ball at the near post and hammered it past Alberto Paleari to double Roma’s lead. The Argentine’s celebration was pure relief—a release of the tension that had built up since their Coppa Italia disappointment.

“Dybala then struck in the second half to help seal a crucial victory for Roma. It moves the capital side above Juventus and into the top four and keeps alive their hopes of a Scudetto push in the second half of the season,” wrote One Football, summing up the significance of the result for the Giallorossi.

As the final whistle blew after four minutes of added time, Roma’s players embraced on the pitch. The win not only avenged their cup defeat but also injected fresh momentum into their league campaign. Gasperini, who has already stamped his authority on the team since arriving, looked visibly pleased on the touchline. His decision to trust Malen and Dybala paid off handsomely, while the ever-reliable Mancini anchored the backline on his special night.

The match featured all the drama Serie A fans have come to expect: VAR controversy, hard tackles, tactical chess matches, and flashes of individual brilliance. Torino battled valiantly, but on this night, Roma simply had too much quality and determination.

Looking ahead, Roma’s victory positions them perfectly in the race for Champions League qualification. Their new signings have hit the ground running, the defense is marshaled by a true club legend, and the attacking partnership of Dybala and Malen promises fireworks in the weeks to come. With the Scudetto still within reach and a place among Europe’s elite up for grabs, the Giallorossi faithful have every reason to dream big.

For now, though, the story is all about a debut goal, a 300th appearance, and a statement win on a cold January night in Turin. Roma’s season is very much alive—and after this performance, who would dare write them off?