4-0 Fiorentina Rout Prompts Gasperini Praise for Malen and Dybala
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed reporters in his post-match press conference at the Stadio Olimpico following Roma’s 4-0 victory over Fiorentina on August 24, 2026.
Gasperini evaluated the team’s dominant display, assessing the partnership between Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen after Malen scored his second hat-trick for the club.
AS Roma
club| Fixture | Result | Key Individual Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| AS Roma vs ACF Fiorentina | 4-0 | Donyell Malen hat-trick; Rodrigo Mora official debut |
Gasperini Evaluates Dybala and Malen Partnership Following Fiorentina Victory
When asked about the dynamic between his starting forwards that proved decisive in breaking down Fiorentina, Gasperini offered a direct evaluation of their quality on the pitch.
“They are world-class. Dybala always has been, he’s just had a few too many injuries. This one is a beast, so much for the silk muscles some people talked about. He could even play extra time. Last year he was unlucky, he got injured taking a free-kick and a penalty.”
The head coach extended his appraisal to Dutch forward Donyell Malen, who carried his late-season goalscoring momentum into the new campaign.
Donyell Malen
player“Malen is extraordinary, but it’s no accident. He feels appreciated and strong, he’s a leader on the pitch and he can grow further. What he’s showing is incredible, he must have found the right environment.”
The joint production of the two forwards validated Gasperini’s attacking structure, which prioritizes rapid transitions and technical movement in the penalty area. Dybala’s physical durability across the match helped answer persistent questions surrounding his past fitness, while Malen’s finishing cemented his central role in Roma’s forward line.
Gasperini Addresses Squad Continuity and Debuts for Mora and Kone
Pressed on whether Roma’s emphatic home victory changes expectations for the season ahead, Gasperini urged patience while highlighting the tactical base built over the past year.
“You sound like a broken record. I agree on the performance. When I talk about ‘dimension’, you have to know your opponents very well. When we understand what level the other teams are playing at, we’ll have clearer ideas. About ourselves, I’m very happy: this is an extraordinary group. We created a base a year ago and then added quality. Now the group is consolidated, the new arrivals fit in, and that’s important.”
The briefing also covered midseason arrivals and debuts, specifically highlighting Portuguese midfielder Rodrigo Mora following his transfer from FC Porto.
“It was the right match for him. He needs to improve in some things, but we’re looking at a talent. When he touches the ball, something nice happens. We need to give him continuity, but he has the characteristics.”
Regarding midfielder Manu Kone, who requested to come off after receiving a yellow card while managing his physical condition following the World Cup, Gasperini acknowledged the split conditioning levels within the squad.
“I pushed him a bit. There’s a disparity in condition between those who went to America and those who didn’t, but he went beyond it with his generosity. He played an excellent game, he needs to train and find his condition.”
Gasperini Endorses Serie A Effective Playing Time Directives
Gasperini concluded by offering his full support to Serie A‘s updated rules aimed at boosting active ball-in-play time and curtailing gamesmanship during matches.
“Beautiful, fantastic. I like it a lot. The public benefits, before, they watched deadly boring matches with the goalkeeper touching more balls than anyone. They’re excellent rules, nobody stays on the ground now.”
The administrative focus on continuous match play aligns directly with Gasperini’s high-pressing system, as fewer artificial stoppages prevent opponents from resetting defensively.
Gasperini’s assessment of Dybala’s stamina contrasts directly with earlier concerns regarding the forward’s muscle resilience, which was limited by consecutive set-piece injuries during the previous season.
The interview was reported by TuttoMercatoWeb.