Donyell Malen struck twice before Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora completed another emphatic Roma victory, while the Giallorossi recorded their second consecutive clean sheet.
Roma continued their perfect start to the Serie A season with a commanding 4-0 victory over Lecce at the Via del Mare.
Donyell Malen scored twice during a dominant opening 25 minutes before Matías Soulé added Roma’s third. Substitute Rodrigo Mora completed the scoring after the break, securing a second consecutive 4-0 victory for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.
Roma now have six points from their opening two matches, scoring eight goals without conceding.
Roma overwhelm Lecce with three early goals
Roma were forced into a late defensive change after Evan N’Dicka experienced discomfort in his adductor during the warm-up. Daniele Ghilardi replaced him in the starting lineup alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso.
The disruption had little effect on the visitors, who took the lead after only four minutes. Paulo Dybala capitalized on a Lecce mistake and helped regain possession before the ball bounced off a Lecce defender and Malen produced a clinical finish.
Malen doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute. Wesley advanced down the flank and delivered the ball into the area, where the Dutch forward applied a delicate touch to score his second of the evening.
Roma struck again just two minutes later. Malen was involved in creating the opportunity for Soulé, whose initial effort was spilled by Wladimiro Falcone. The Argentine reacted quickly to convert the rebound and give Roma a commanding 3-0 lead.
The three-goal burst effectively ended the contest before halftime.
Mora scores fourth as Roma control second half
Gasperini introduced Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo Mora for Wesley and Soulé on the hour mark, and the Portuguese teenager required only five minutes to make his impact.
Molina helped initiate the move before Mancini advanced and supplied Mora, who calmly finished to score Roma’s fourth in the 65th minute. It was Mora’s first Serie A goal for the Giallorossi.
Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro later replaced Manu Koné and Malen, while summer signing Marten de Roon made his Roma debut after coming on for Dybala during the closing stages.
At the opposite end, Mile Svilar produced an important save to stop a Lecce breakaway and preserve another clean sheet.
Malen continues remarkable scoring form
Malen’s brace took him to five goals during the opening weeks of the season and underlined his growing importance in Gasperini’s attack.
The Netherlands international has now scored 19 goals across his first 20 Serie A appearances. According to Opta, only Gunnar Nordahl and José Altafini scored more during their first 20 matches in the competition, with both reaching 20.
Dybala, Soulé and Mora also provided decisive contributions, but Roma’s defensive performance was equally impressive. Gasperini’s side limited Lecce’s opportunities and maintained control despite the late change involving N’Dicka.
Man of the match
Roma Daily Man of the Match: Donyell Malen
Malen decided the contest with two composed finishes inside the opening 23 minutes and also played a role in the move that produced Soulé’s goal. His movement, speed and efficiency gave Lecce’s defence constant problems.
SofaScore Man of the Match: Mario Hermoso — 8.5
SofaScore’s statistical model selected Hermoso as the highest-rated player. The Spanish defender delivered an assured performance as Roma recorded their second clean sheet of the season.
Malen: “I could have scored a few more goals”
Donyell Malen was named the official Man of the Match after scoring twice in Roma’s 4-0 victory over Lecce. The Dutch striker capitalized on Lecce’s defensive lapse to open the scoring after four minutes before adding his second midway through the first half.
“I’m happy to have won the Man of the Match award, but many of my teammates deserved it today as well,” Malen told Sky Sport. “I’m proud and happy with my performance, but I could have scored a few more goals today.”
Malen also praised academy graduate Emanuele Lulli following another encouraging performance from the young wing-back.
“Lulli is playing very well and we’re proud of him,” Malen added. “It’s nice to have him as a teammate.”
Speaking to DAZN, Malen refused to draw conclusions about Roma’s title prospects despite the club opening the season with consecutive 4-0 victories.
“It’s too early to talk about the Scudetto because there are still too many matches remaining,” he said. “We’re all allowed to dream, but there are still too many games left.”
Roma Player Ratings
- Mario Hermoso — 7
- Paulo Dybala — 8
- Wesley — 8
- Gianluca Mancini — 8
- Mile Svilar — 8
- Daniele Ghilardi — 8
- Bryan Cristante – 7.5
- Manu Koné — 8
- Emanuele Lulli — 8
- Donyell Malen – 9
- Matias Soulé – 8
Roma maintain early momentum
Roma arrived in Lecce seeking the continuity emphasized by both Svilar before kickoff and Gasperini in his pre-match comments. They delivered it in emphatic fashion.
Two matches do not define a season, but eight unanswered goals, two clean sheets and maximum points represent an ideal opening. Roma’s attacking depth was again evident, while the performances of Ghilardi, Mora and Lulli offered further encouragement about the younger members of the squad.
Final score: Lecce 0-4 Roma
Goals: Malen 4’, 23’; Soulé 25’; Mora 65’
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