Roma 2-0 Torino: Malen Debut Goal As Dybala Ends Drought In Serie A

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Roma continued their strong Serie A run with a 2-0 victory over Torino, sealing a third straight league win. Donyell Malen scored on debut and Paulo Dybala added the second, as Roma gained revenge for the 3-2 Coppa Italia loss on 13 January.

Dybala delivered both a goal and an assist, and reached a historic personal milestone. The Argentina international became the first foreign player in the last 20 Serie A seasons with 200 direct goal involvements, moving past that figure with 131 goals and 69 assists.

The match turned Roma’s way in the 26th minute. Earlier, Malen thought he had opened the scoring from around 11 yards, only for VAR to cancel the strike for offside. Soon after, Malen collected Dybala’s pass and finished low past Torino goalkeeper Alberto Paleari.

Torino tried to respond following Malen’s breakthrough. Valentin Lazaro directed a shot straight at Mile Svilar as the hosts searched for a leveller. Roma stayed organised and then struck again on 72 minutes, when Dybala converted neatly from close range to secure the two-goal cushion.

The closing stages brought more chances at both ends. Malen hit the side-netting, showing constant threat on the counter. Che Adams went close when a Torino effort brushed the post. Later, Robinio Vaz forced Paleari into another save, but Torino could not break Roma’s control.

Malen’s goal carried extra significance beyond the result. The forward became the first Roma attacker to score on a Serie A debut for the club since Stephan El Shaarawy, who did so against Frosinone in January 2016. Malen also became the fifth Dutch player to score for Roma in Serie A, after Kevin Strootman, Justin Kluivert, Rick Karsdorp and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Dybala’s creative numbers also stood out in the wider league context. Since joining Roma for the 2022-23 season, only Rafael Leao with 27 and Federico Dimarco with 21 had provided more Serie A assists than Dybala’s 20. Dybala also became the fifth player overall with 200 direct goal involvements, following Ciro Immobile, Fabio Quagliarella, Antonio Di Natale and Domenico Berardi.

Roma’s win over Torino extended the team’s league momentum and underlined the impact of both Dybala and Malen. Dybala’s milestone contribution and Malen’s debut strike, combined with disciplined defence, ensured a controlled performance that strengthened Roma’s position in the Serie A campaign.