Roma drops poker thanks to Dybala and Malen

The Roma beat 4-0 Fiorentina in the last postponement of the first day of Serie A: hat-trick for Donyell Malen, scoring in the 28th, 53rd and 62nd minutes, again with an assist from Paulo Dybala. In the final, in the 86th minute, Pisilli’s fourth goal following yet another uncertainty from the Viola defense. It is the second hat-trick of his career in Serie A for the Dutch striker.

The hosts were immediately proactive and took control of the game. After a couple of personal ideas from Dybala, Mora had the first big chance, who in the 20th minute discarded Ranieri and hit a right-footed shot from the edge of the area, but De Gea stretched out and saved Fiorentina with a great save. The Giallorossi continued to press and the lead came in the 27th minute: Dybala slipped past the entire Viola rearguard and served Malen. The Dutchman freed himself from Dodo in the area with a good heel control and beat De Gea with his left foot to make it 1-0.

After half an hour at a very high pace, Roma gave the initiative to Fiorentina at the end of the second half, but Grosso’s team did not create any particular dangers in Svilar’s area in the last quarter of an hour of the first half.

Malen and Dybala lead Roma

In the second half the guests started well, but Gasperini’s eleven struck on the counterattack: in the 52nd minute Dybala served Malen, who passed Dragusin and punctured a not very attentive De Gea for the 2-0. Fiorentina is in trouble and the Giallorossi’s trio arrives: Dybala is elusive, moving around the perimeter of the penalty area and finding Malen in the small area for the 3-0 in the 60th minute.

Fiorentina started badly

In the final the pace drops, Gasperini removes the entire trident and leaves the initiative to Fiorentina. Grosso’s team is unable to find the spark to score the winner and Roma concedes the poker with Pisilli in the 87th minute for the final 4-0.

Next day Roma will fly to Lecce (31 August, at 6.30pm); while Fiorentina, which will need time to get into rhythm with the Grosso project, will be called to react in the first match at home against Frosinone (29 August, at 6.30 pm).