Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has praised Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, naming Donyell Malen as its new hero and describing Paulo Dybala as unmatched in Italian football when fully fit.
Walter Sabatini is enthusiastic about the Roma side being constructed by Gian Piero Gasperini.
Speaking during Amore Giallorosso on T9 Canale 17, the former Giallorossi sporting director assessed the team’s impressive start and discussed Malen, Dybala, Emanuele Lulli and Roma’s Champions League prospects.
Sabatini Praises Roma’s Unity
Sabatini believes Roma’s strength extends beyond tactics and individual quality, pointing to the powerful connection that has developed throughout the squad.
“We are seeing a truly powerful and very strong Roma—almost invincible,” Sabatini said. “These players are driven not only by psychological cohesion, but almost by spiritual cohesion.
“The players are connected to one another by a powerful feeling that pushes them to excel. This brings satisfaction to themselves, the supporters and their families.
“I see extraordinary motivation, and the coach has certainly transmitted this feeling to them.”
Sabatini Calls Malen Roma’s Hero
Donyell Malen has emerged as the leading figure in Roma’s explosive start to the season, scoring five goals across the opening two league matches.
Sabatini believes the Dutch forward has become the difference-maker every successful team requires.
“Every team that wants to win needs a hero and a leader. Roma have one in Malen,” he said. “He is an extraordinary player who drives the team forward and frightens opponents.
“Roma had Totti, Juventus had Platini, the Milan of my generation had Rivera and Liedholm’s Roma had Falcão.”
The former Roma executive also credited Gasperini with moving Malen closer to goal after the attacker experienced a difficult period in England.
“Roma did very well because Malen was coming from a negative period,” Sabatini continued. “At Aston Villa, he almost appeared isolated from the play because he was being used as a wide forward.
“Gasperini was excellent in restoring him to his proper role and moving him closer to the goal. His performances now are truly supernatural.”
Malen has already spoken about his remarkable five-goal start and his desire to lead Roma.
“A Dybala Like This Has No Equal in Italy”
Malen is not the only Roma attacker to impress Sabatini. The former sporting director also praised Paulo Dybala and the partnership developing between the Argentine and Malen.
“In this atmosphere of technical and competitive excitement, a Dybala performing at his maximum level has emerged again,” Sabatini said. “He makes Roma a truly beautiful team to watch.
“The combinations between those two in attack are extraordinary. They produce, they invent and they are exceptional—but Roma are not limited to those players.”
Sabatini believes a healthy Dybala remains one of Serie A’s finest footballers.
“When Dybala is fit, he is a champion,” he added. “He needs to be supported by his physical condition, and he has that right now. Let us hope he can maintain it for many months.
“He also needs to play football. At this moment, he has both things because the attacking movements—and those of the midfielders arriving forward—are perfect.
“His understanding with Malen is fabulous and productive. A Dybala playing like this has no equal in Italian football. We have every reason to be truly happy.”
Sabatini Impressed by Emanuele Lulli
Emanuele Lulli has been one of the biggest surprises of Roma’s opening matches, earning Gasperini’s confidence and establishing himself in the senior team.
“I am astonished by the youngster,” Sabatini said. “Lulli is a fantastic player. He has extraordinary movement and admirable initiative, as well as an innate and natural willingness to sacrifice himself.
“He is a very strong player, and Roma will enjoy him just as they have enjoyed many others who emerged from their academy.”
Sabatini also praised Gasperini for recognizing the academy graduate’s potential and trusting him with a starting role.
“His introduction was an extremely important move by the coach,” he continued. “He brought through a young player, gave him the starting shirt and helped him reach a very high level of performance.
“Roma supporters can enjoy this moment because they have a team that wins and plays well. Roma are not merely winning now—they are doing so by playing excellent football.
“They are prolific in attack and proactive in every area of the pitch. I am truly happy, both as a Roma supporter and for the fans.”
Roma have already made extending Lulli’s contract until 2031 a priority.
The Comparison Between Lulli and Francesco Rocca
Former Roma defender Franco Peccenini recently compared Lulli with club icon Francesco Rocca. Sabatini acknowledged the scale of that comparison but expressed hope that the youngster could follow a similar path.
“My goodness. If Franco says it, considering he was a great friend of Francesco and always played alongside him, then we have to believe him,” Sabatini said.
“It requires a certain effort because Rocca’s surging runs are difficult to reproduce, but Lulli is a good and strong player. He is physical, proactive and durable, and he interprets the role extremely well.
“When Francesco pushed the ball forward and launched himself into all the space ahead of him, the Olimpico erupted. I know that well because I was often on the bench and heard the noise of the stadium.
“The expectations of the supporters were enormous—almost triumphant. I hope Lulli can reproduce those moments.”
“This Roma Do Not Fear the Champions League”
Roma will soon move from domestic competition into the Champions League, beginning their European campaign away to Fenerbahçe.
Sabatini believes Gasperini’s team possess the necessary quality and mentality to compete at that level, although managing fatigue will be essential.
“The Roma I am watching now do not fear the Champions League,” he said. “If anything, they should fear the fatigue caused by the Champions League.
“I believe they will absolutely be up to the challenge because this is a strong team—the kind of team I have not seen for many years.
“They are deep, incisive and determined, and they immediately try to recover the ball. I am genuinely euphoric for myself and for the supporters.
“I want people to be happy when they go to the stadium or watch a match, and right now it is impossible for them not to be.”
Sabatini Defends Roma’s Core Players
Sabatini concluded by discussing Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante—three members of Roma’s established core who were recently praised by Tony D’Amico.
“Words disappear with the wind, but the verdict of the pitch is unequivocal and indisputable,” Sabatini said.
“I was pleased with D’Amico’s comments because he is an excellent sporting director—and, jokingly, he is also an excellent smoker like me. Well, perhaps not quite like me,” he added with a smile.
During his first press conference, D’Amico highlighted the sacrifices made by Roma’s senior players to remain at the club.
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