Gasperini on Roma forced changes and Malen realisation
PARMA, ITALY - MAY 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on pose for a team photograph prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini explains his Roma changes for the trip to Torino and looks back fondly on the Donyell Malen debut here. ‘I realised we’d picked a great player!’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino at 17.30 UK time (18.30 CEST).
The Giallorossi have a perfect record so far in Serie A, thanks to their dramatic comeback victory against Atalanta when a goal down at the 88th minute.
They also made their Champions League return after a seven-year absence, earning a 1-1 draw in Istanbul against Fenerbahce, but it came at a cost.
“Wesley had a nasty knock in the last game and hasn’t recovered. Ndicka had flu symptoms last night, so he didn’t even come to the stadium,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia.
Manu Koné also limped off during that match and is on the bench, but it gives Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina the opportunity to make their first starts.
The changes that Gasperini chose not to make were in attack, as Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé and Malen are confirmed upfront, leaving out Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro.
“Castro is doing very well every time he is called upon. He is getting into physical shape and we are all convinced in his capabilities, as he has a lot of quality,” noted Gasperini.
“It’s normal that a squad is made up of many players, and perhaps compared to other teams we have fewer alternatives. I’m very pleased with all six players, now we’ve got Lorenzo Pellegrini back training with the squad too.
“Hopefully we can always have a complete group to choose from, because modern football has space and time for everyone at different moments.”
The Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino is where Malen made his Roma debut back in January 2026, and his record has been truly extraordinary with 19 goals in 22 Serie A appearances.
When Malen scored on that debut eight months ago, what did Gasperini think?
“I realised we’d picked a great player! His statistics have been extraordinary, well beyond the biggest expectations, and he made an immediate impact.”
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