Donyell Malen says Roma have the quality to achieve “something special” this season after Gian Piero Gasperini helped him rediscover his best form.
Roma have collected 13 points from their first five Serie A matches and sit level with Inter at the top of the table before Sunday’s meeting with Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Malen has scored six times, making him the competition’s leading scorer.
The forward withdrew from the Netherlands squad during the latest international break because of reported knee discomfort, although the problem is not considered serious. Italian media reports indicate he should be available against Como.
Malen joined Roma from Aston Villa in January and told Corriere dello Sport the move was his choice because he wanted a more prominent role.
“It was my decision,” he said. “I wanted to play and be part of a team where I could take to the field every weekend and play an important role.
“At that stage, I didn’t feel important, so I think I made the best choice. Today, I feel I’m in the right place with the right people.
“The coach and my team-mates show a lot of confidence in me, and together, all of this is helping me become the player I dreamed of being.”
Gasperini, 68, has won 299 Serie A matches and would become only the fifth manager to reach 300 if Roma beat Como. Giovanni Trapattoni leads the list with 352 victories, followed by Massimiliano Allegri (324), Luciano Spalletti (306) and Nereo Rocco (302).
Roma have scored 14 goals and recorded 12.8 expected goals across the opening five matchdays. Only Inter, with 15 goals and 14.5 xG, have better figures. Roma’s last match ended 2-2 against the champions.
“As a team, you know, we were strong and connected, and I immediately had a very good feeling,” Malen added. “We can build on moments like these and do something special.”
Como have taken 10 points from five matches but lost their most recent game 2-0 to Frosinone. Club president Mirwan Suwarso said he would not prevent manager Cesc Fabregas from leaving if the former midfielder received an attractive opportunity.
“He doesn’t need a clause to go anywhere he wants,” Suwarso said. “In a business like this, he’s a friend more than anything else. He can go wherever he wants, whenever he wants.
“If tomorrow he calls me and says, ‘Hey, I want to go to Leverkusen’. I would say if that’s something you want to do, then go. I don’t need any compensation.”
Players to watch
Como forward Tasos Douvikas has scored 12 goals in 2026, a record for a Como player in a single Serie A calendar year. However, his last five league goals have come away from home, and he has not scored at the Sinigaglia since 22 March, when he netted against Pisa.
Since making his Serie A debut for Roma on 18 January 2026, Malen has scored 20 goals in 23 appearances, more than any player in Europe’s five major leagues. He leads Harry Kane and Raphinha by two goals, with both on 18.
Malen also has Serie A’s best goals-per-minute record in the three-points-for-a-win era, scoring every 91 minutes since 1994-95, with a minimum of 10 goals. Cristiano Ronaldo is next on 104 minutes and Ronaldo Nazario on 117.
Match prediction
Como have won their last three home Serie A matches against Roma, scoring twice in each. That equals their number of victories in their first 11 home top-flight meetings with Roma, when their record was W3 D4 L4 and they scored four goals.
After a nine-match unbeaten league run (W7 D2), Como lost to Frosinone and could suffer consecutive defeats for the first time since April 2025, against Inter and Sassuolo.
Roma have reached at least 13 points after five Serie A matches for only the fifth time, following 2014-15 (15), 2013-14 (15), 1994-95 (13) and 1952-53 (13). Victory would give them at least 16 points after six matches for only the third time, after 2013-14 (18) and 1952-53 (16).
Como have won their last three matches at the Sinigaglia in all competitions, making a draw the predicted result.
Opta win probability: Como 38.4%, Roma 36.1%, draw 25.5%.
