Flop in Villa, hero in Rome: Malen's brace enough to hand Roma maximum points on Monday night
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 10.02.26. | 07:22
The Dutch forward single-handedly won the game against Cagliari after finding the back of the net twice
In August 2025, Roma loaned Leon Bailey from Aston Villa.
Giallorossi needed an explosive forward, with the Jamaican winger fitting the bill, but he turned out to be a total flop.
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He continued his injury record from England and played only 317 minutes for Roma until they decided to cancel the deal in January.
But the bad loan did not discourage Roma.
The Italian club again purchased another flop from Villa – Donyell Malen.
The Dutch forward played in a similar position in Birmingham when he was bought from Dortmund, and he in fact, replaced Bailey in Aston Villa but failed to impress Unai Emery.
So, a swap was made in January, and Malen went to Rome in a loan deal with an obligation to buy in June. And this time, Roma hit the jackpot.
Donyell Malen goal Today for Roma🔥⚽️ #roma pic.twitter.com/glEaDF1zUv
— princewill (@Ciphere001) February 9, 2026
In the last three matchdays of Serie A, that is, since his debut in the competition, Donyell Malen is the player who has touched the ball the most in the opponent's area (25) and is second only to Nico Paz (20) for attempted shots: 15.
In Monday‘s night game with Cagliari, Malen single-handedly won the game with two goals and five more shots: Roma 2 Cagliari 0.
Burdened with many injuries, especially in the attack, Giallorossi had to win this game in order to continue their quest for the Champions League spot and it was Malen who scored two goals and won the match.
The guests had only two chances, near the end of the game, and deserved what they got – nothing.
5 - Donyell #Malen scores his fifth brace in a top-5 European league, his first since the Premier League brace against Burnley with Aston Villa on October 5th - four of which have come at home. Protagonist.#Romacagliari
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 9, 2026
Roma managed two goals but should have scored at least two more.
They started the game with a great chance already in the sixth minute, but Ndicka‘s header after a free kick went over the bar.
It was Malen who had the second chance of the game but Cagliari‘s Mazzitelli prevented the goal with a sliding tackle.
Pisili tried from a distance in the 22nd minute, but keeper Caprile stretched out and blocked the shot.
But Malen finally scored three minutes later, bursting into the penalty area and lobbing the keeper for the lead.
He should have doubled the lead ten minutes later, but just like Ndicka, his header was not good enough.
The second half was not as exciting as the first since the guests tightened up the backline, and Roma had the initiative but not enough chances.
But Malen used his only one in the second half and turned it into a goal.
Cagliari finally started to attack and had two great opportunities, but did not use them.
Sulemana hit the bar from distance in the 79th minute, while Dossena somehow missed a sitter from three meters in the 83rd minute.
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 24
Friday
Verona - Pisa 0-0
Saturday
Genoa - Napoli 2-3 (1-2)
/Malinovskyi 3 pen, Colombo 57 - Hojlund 20, 90+5 pen, McTominay 22/
Fiorentina - Torino 2-2 (0-1)
/Solomon 51, Kean 57 - Casadei 26, Maripan 90+4/
Sunday
Bologna - Parma 0-1 (0-0)
/Ordonez 90+4/
Lecce - Udinese 2-1 (1-1)
/Gandelman 5, Banda 90 - Solet 26(p)/
Sassuolo - Inter 0-5 (0-2)
/Bissek 11, Thuram 28, Martinez 50, Akanji 53, Henrique 88/
Juventus - Lazio 2-2 (0-1)
/McKennie 59, Kalulu 90+6 - Pedro 45+2, Isaksen 47/
Monday
Atalanta - Cremonese 2-1 (2-0)
/Krstovic 13, Zappacosta 25 - Thorsby 90+4/
Roma - Cagliari 2-0 (1-0)
/Malen 25, 65/