Serie A: Donyell Malen Brace Lifts Roma Level with Juventus

On-loan forward Donyell Malen scored twice as Roma secured a 2–0 victory over Cagliari on Monday night, a result that lifted them level on points with fourth-placed Juventus in the Serie A standings.

The Dutch international, who joined Roma on loan from Aston Villa in January, has made an immediate impact as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side push for UEFA Champions League qualification.

Malen opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a sharp effort from a tight angle that flew into the roof of the net. He doubled Roma’s advantage after the break, racing onto a perfectly weighted through ball before calmly finishing one-on-one past the Cagliari goalkeeper in the 65th minute.

The win moves Roma onto 46 points, level with Juventus, who occupy fourth place after dropping points in a 1–1 draw at home to Lazio on Sunday. With 14 matches remaining, the race for Champions League qualification remains finely balanced.

Inter Milan continue to lead the table convincingly on 58 points, eight clear of city rivals AC Milan. Napoli sit third on 49 points and will host Roma in a key fixture this weekend.

Roma, who have enjoyed European success in recent seasons by winning the UEFA Conference League and reaching the UEFA Europa League final, last appeared in the Champions League during the 2018/19 campaign, when they were eliminated by Porto in the round of 16.

Elsewhere in Serie A on Monday, Atalanta claimed a 2–1 win over struggling Cremonese, extending their strong recent run to three victories and two draws from their last five league matches.

Goals from Nikola Krstović and Davide Zappacosta inside the opening 25 minutes put Atalanta firmly in control, but a stoppage-time strike from Cremonese’s Morten Thorsby ensured a nervy finish for the hosts.

Atalanta remain two points adrift of sixth-placed Como, who currently occupy the UEFA Conference League qualification spot.