Gasperini's Challenge: Roma's New Identity with Malen
Gian Piero Gasperini did not try to play down the scale of the challenge. Inter are coming, the benchmark of Italian football, and the Roma coach sounded almost eager for the examination.
“We have a few days to prepare,” he told DAZN Italia, eyes already on the clash with the reigning standard-setters. “There was a big gap between the teams last season, especially when we got hammered in the return meeting, but that was where the real Roma was born, with an escalation after that in terms of results, attitude and mentality.”
That heavy defeat still lingers in the memory, but Gasperini has turned it into a reference point rather than a scar. From that low, Roma have rebuilt their identity, sharpening their edge and hardening their mentality. Now comes the real test: proving that transformation stands up against the strongest side in the country.
“Clearly, Inter are the reference point for this league,” he said. “A strong team indicated by everyone as the best in Italy, even if I think Como are getting close. It is an opportunity for us to measure up against the best and show we can do better than in recent performances.”
There was no false modesty in his words. Inter remain the summit. Roma, in his mind, are climbing.
At the heart of that climb stands one man: Malen.
The Dutch forward has turned a sizeable investment into a bargain-in-the-making. Roma paid €25 million to sign him permanently from Aston Villa in May 2026, doubling down after a devastating loan spell that brought 15 goals in 20 appearances. That was the audition. This is the full show.
His form has not dipped. By taking his tally to six goals this season, Malen has written his name alongside some of the most revered in the club’s history. Only two other players have scored more than five times in Roma’s opening four Serie A matches: Pedro Manfredini in 1960-61 and Francesco Totti in 2001-02. Those are not casual comparisons; they are markers of status.
Every big Roma side has had a focal point in the final third. Gasperini has built his around Malen’s ruthless finishing. The system bends towards him, the runs from midfield angle towards his feet, the wide players look for his movement inside the box. When Roma attack, the pattern is clear: find Malen early, let his timing and precision do the rest.
For a coach who talks about “measuring up” against the elite, a forward in this kind of rhythm is priceless. Inter will arrive as the yardstick of the league. Roma will meet them with a new mentality, a reshaped identity – and a striker scoring at a pace that echoes club legends.
The gap Gasperini spoke about last season was brutal and obvious. The question now is simpler, sharper: with Malen in this mood and a tougher, more mature Roma behind him, is that gap still there?
