THE MALEN EFFECT: WHY DONYELL MALEN FINALLY LOOKS LIKE A SUPERSTAR IN SERIE A
Roma eyes the Champions League: Discover why Claudio Ranieri believes Donyell Malen is thriving and see the Jamie Vardy reunion.
Roma director Claudio Ranieri isn’t shy about it; they want the Champions League. And he thinks Donyell Malen has finally found the right coach to really shine, especially now that he’s crossing paths with Jamie Vardy again.
Roma has a shot to pull away from the pack in fourth place. Juventus lost 2-0 to Como on Saturday, and Napoli just slipped 2-1 against Atalanta. Perfect timing.
Ranieri knows Roma fans expect a lot, but he tries to keep things balanced.
“Last season, I picked up 46 points in the second half and finished just a single point outside the Champions League spots,” Ranieri told DAZN Italia. “So honestly, I didn’t want to put too much pressure on the new coach. Still, we all want Champions League football. The Friedkin family want to win the league, so we brought in a coach who knows how to build a team, mixing young talent with experienced players.”
Donyell Malen has made an immediate impact since joining on loan from Aston Villa. So, is it all down to Malen’s quality, or is there something about the difference between Serie A and the Premier League?
“It’s a bit of both,” Ranieri said. “He got here at the right time, with a coach who gets him. But the leagues really are different. In the Premier League, clubs can spend €60 million on a player and leave him on the bench. We can’t compete with that kind of money. Malen barely got any consistent minutes there. Now he’s found that rhythm with us, and you can see the difference. We’re holding on to him, for sure. He’s doing great, and we hope it keeps going.”
Of course, Ranieri’s got history with Vardy; he led Leicester City to that unforgettable Premier League title, but tonight Vardy’s just on the Cremonese bench.
“I have amazing memories from that time,” Ranieri said. “Nobody, not the team or Vardy himself, expected him to score so many goals. That year was just electric. We haven’t seen each other since then, so it’s nice to catch up.”
Roma’s dealing with a pile-up of injuries: Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, and Stephan El Shaarawy are all out. Wesley isn’t fully fit either, but still plays, while Manu Koné is back in midfield.
NAPOLI AND INTER MILAN LAUNCH BIDDING WAR FOR COMO STAR MAXIMO PERRONE
Maximo Perrone is the target of a €50m bidding war between Napoli and Inter after leading Como to fourth in Serie A.
Maximo Perrone has emerged as a standout performer this season for Como, attracting considerable attention from top clubs. Como, having established themselves among Italy’s football elite and eyeing a spot in the Champions League, rely heavily on Perrone’s creativity and influence. Once a lesser-known figure, the former Manchester City midfielder has become a central figure in Fabregas’s team, and now several major clubs are lining up for his signature. This summer promises a competitive battle, with Inter and Napoli showing serious interest. But Como, bolstered by their impending European campaign, is unlikely to let him go without a fight.
Looking closer at the interest from Italy’s giants, journalist Matteo Moretto recently shared insights on YouTube, highlighting Inter and Napoli as the two main contenders. Inter have praised Perrone and clearly rate him, although they haven’t yet approached his representatives directly. Napoli, on the other hand, seems more proactive. They have monitored Perrone for some time and view him as a realistic addition, especially following a specific request from coach Conte. Conte, who has indicated his intention to stay with Napoli but will discuss plans at season’s end, sees Perrone as a key piece, particularly if Stanislav Lobotka departs next summer. Even if Lobotka stays, Perrone’s arrival remains a possibility.
Despite growing interest, Como holds the cards here. They are financially stable and preparing to embark on their first European adventure, whether that’s in the Champions League or the Europa League is still unclear. After taking Perrone on loan from Manchester City, Como acquired his rights last summer, though City retained 30 per cent of any future resale. This project around Lake Como is in its early stages, making the idea of selling such a vital player complicated. The club’s willingness to sell, the price set, and the offers they receive will all shape what happens next.
Perrone, under contract until 2029, is in the best form of his young career. At 23, he’s featured in 31 games this season, contributing two goals and four assists, consistently anchoring the midfield in Fabregas’s tactical setup, a system the Argentine shapes with deliberate control. It’s this partnership that the transfer market will undoubtedly try to disrupt in the coming months.
CESC FABREGAS BLASTS GASPERINI OVER HANDSHAKE SNUB FOLLOWING COMO’S VICTORY OVER ROMA
Cesc Fabregas blasts Gian Piero Gasperini for refusing a handshake after Como defeated Roma 2-1 to reach fourth place.
This past weekend saw a tense moment between Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder turned Como manager, and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Como’s 2-1 win over Roma. Fabregas, who took charge of Como in July 2024 and has quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s promising young managers, has led the team to fourth place in Serie A, pushing them toward a surprising shot at Champions League qualification, a milestone in the club’s history.
The victory itself was key for Como’s ambitions, but the post-match atmosphere was anything but smooth. Fabregas shared his frustration about Gasperini refusing to shake his hand at the final whistle. For Fabregas, the handshake is a simple but important gesture of respect and sportsmanship, regardless of emotions or results. He said, “Whether I’m angry, sent off, or feel the referee has wronged me, I always go to shake my opponent’s hand after the match." It’s about respect, and I was disappointed by what happened. Even when you lose, you always offer that hand.”
Fabregas explained that while he understands different cultures approach these things differently, for him, once the game is over, competition ends, and respect should remain. Gasperini, known for his stints with Inter Milan and Atalanta, didn’t shy away from explaining his side. The 68-year-old was critical of Como’s conduct both on and off the pitch, saying, “Como is a strong team, but I don’t respect their behaviour on the pitch or on the bench.”
Part of the tension seemed to spark after Roma’s defender Wesley, got sent off just after the 60-minute mark, receiving a second yellow card. Gasperini implied that Fabregas and his staff had influenced the referee’s decision by pushing claims of simulation. This disagreement added fuel to the post-match exchange, highlighting the competitive edge and complex dynamics between these two managers as they vie for top spots in Serie A.
