Donyell Malen’s scoring run at Roma owes much to his instant connection with Paulo Dybala and the confidence instilled by his coach and teammates. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, the Dutch striker credited these factors for his flourishing form since joining the club.
Malen described the partnership with Dybala as immediate, saying, “Dymalen… it makes you think about the connection, yes, it’s fun online… The connection with Paulo was immediate.” That understanding has translated into goals, with Malen noting, “Never so much. And right from the first few games. I think everything has changed a bit.” He added that playing regularly and feeling at the right place with the right people has been crucial. “The coach and my teammates give me so much confidence; all these things combined are helping me become what I dreamed of.”
The 1999-born forward moved from Aston Villa to Roma seeking consistent playing time. “It was me, I wanted to play, to be part of a team where I could play every weekend and be important. At that stage, I didn’t feel like I was, but I think I made the best choice,” he said.
Malen highlighted the club’s environment as a major factor in his adaptation. “The importance of the club, the fans, the coach, the teammates—all things that contribute to success and facilitate it,” he remarked. He pinpointed his debut match as a defining moment: “Starting very well, scoring a hat-trick, was crucial. As a team, you know, we were strong and connected, the feeling I had right away was very good. From moments like this, we can build and achieve something special.”
He confirmed his preference for playing as a central striker. “Center is the position where I feel best, most comfortable,” Malen said.
Comparing Serie A to the Premier League, he noted the difference in playing conditions and styles. “Very hot. In England, it’s a lot of rain and very cold. Here in the summer you have to slow down the game; you can’t always go back and forth in 40-degree heat… In the Premier League, there’s a different philosophy; you never find defensive blocks like the Italians.”
Malen also spoke positively about some of Roma’s younger players. “He’s very young, I saw him straight away, he’s got quality. Manu is fantastic. I knew some of them from Holland, like Marten, for example,” referring to Svilar, Pisilli, Koné, and Marten de Roon.
On Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini, Malen recalled a vivid episode: “The way he manages players, you know he’ll never lie to you about anything. After Parma, he was so happy, even a table flew.”
Asked about the race for scoring honours, Malen declined to compare himself with Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez. “Better for me to focus on myself,” he said.
Malen’s words offer insight into a player finding his stride through the right environment, a strong partnership with Dybala, and the backing of his Roma coach and squad.
According to Yahoo Sports.
