Malen Hat-Trick Powers Gasperini's Roma to Opening-Day 4-0 Rout Over Fiorentina
AS Roma opened their Serie A campaign with a 4-0 victory over ACF Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, securing three points to join eight other opening-weekend winners at the top of the table. Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick off three separate assists from Paulo Dybala before substitute Nicolo Pisilli added a late fourth. The result delivered a winning league debut for manager Gian Piero Gasperini, while leaving Fabio Grosso’s side searching for structural balance after their first competitive fixture of the season.
Dybala and Malen Dismantle Fiorentina in Gasperini’s 3-4-2-1 System
Gasperini deployed a 3-4-2-1 shape featuring Mile Svilar in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N’Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Youngster Emanuele Lulli anchored the right wing-back slot, while Dybala and debutant Rodrigo Mora operated as twin attacking midfielders directly behind Malen. Fiorentina set up in a 4-3-2-1 counter-structure under Grosso, positioning David de Gea in goal and Mateo Pellegrino leading the line with support from Real Madrid loanee Franco Mastantuono.
AS Roma
clubRoma established early control through high central pressing and rapid vertical transitions. The opening goal arrived in the 27th minute when Dybala slid a forward pass into the path of Malen, who kept his composure to finish low past De Gea. Dybala doubled his assist tally in the 52nd minute, feeding Malen on a drive into the penalty area before the Dutch forward struck into the roof of the net. The pairing combined for a third time on 60 minutes, with Dybala squaring across the box for Malen to tap home his third goal of the match.
Fiorentina struggled to build sustained possession phases in the attacking third, managing just four touches inside the Roma penalty box throughout the 90 minutes. Mastantuono provided direct carries through midfield, but central isolation left Pellegrino without immediate support. Substitute Nicolo Pisilli capped the scoring in the 86th minute, converting from close range after Grosso had made a triple substitution bringing on Moise Kean, Alex Jimenez, and Christ Inao Oulai.
Donyell Malen
playerMatch Statistics
| Match Metric | AS Roma | ACF Fiorentina |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Total Shots | 17 | 9 |
| Touches in Opponent Penalty Box | 39 | 4 |
Disciplinary Notes and Offside Decisions at Stadio Olimpico
Match refereeing interventions featured an early setback for the hosts in the 20th minute, when Hermoso had a close-range finish disallowed for offside following N’Dicka’s initial header from a set piece. Physical exchanges across midfield led to three booked players during the contest. Fiorentina midfielder Nicolo Fagioli received a yellow card in the 30th minute for a late challenge on Dybala, while Hermoso was booked in the 39th minute after stopping a Mastantuono counter-attack. Roma midfielder Manu Kone was also cautioned early in the second half following a tactical foul on Mastantuono.
Opening Matchday Key Events
- 20′, Goal disallowed: Mario Hermoso (AS Roma) ruled offside.
- 27′, Goal: Donyell Malen (AS Roma), assisted by Paulo Dybala.
- 30′, Yellow card: Nicolo Fagioli (ACF Fiorentina).
- 39′, Yellow card: Mario Hermoso (AS Roma).
- 52′, Goal: Donyell Malen (AS Roma), assisted by Paulo Dybala.
- 60′, Goal: Donyell Malen (AS Roma), assisted by Paulo Dybala.
- 63′, Substitutions: Alex Jimenez, Christ Inao Oulai, and Moise Kean enter for Marco Brescianini, Nicolo Fagioli, and Franco Mastantuono (ACF Fiorentina).
- 86′, Goal: Nicolo Pisilli (AS Roma).