Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paid tribute to one another after combining for all three of the Dutchman’s goals in Roma’s 4-0 dismantling of Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico.
According to their post-match interviews with DAZN, via FirenzeViola, the Argentine had already made a point of the occasion inside the dressing room.
“I brought him the ball because he scored three goals and he deserves it,” Dybala said.
Malen returned the compliment: “I’m blessed to play with a teammate like that, who understands all my movements and allows me to score goals,” the forward said.
Dybala insists there were no doubts over his Roma future
Dybala’s own summer had been the subject of speculation, and he used the platform to close it down.
“I was really eager to play because I hadn’t been able to during the holidays,” he said. “The people here are incredible, the desire to stay was always there, there were no doubts. That’s why I gave everything for my teammates.”
The Argentine finished the evening with three assists and a rating that placed him alongside Malen as the standout performer of the opening round.
Malen, meanwhile, declined to be drawn on either the summer’s international disappointment or a target for the campaign ahead.
“The past is the past, the season has started and I’m very happy to be here,” he said. “I don’t know how many goals I’ll score, I don’t want to put a number on it.”
Dybala closed by turning to the opposition and his Argentina teammate Franco Mastantuono, on loan at Fiorentina from Real Madrid and one of the few visiting players to emerge with credit.
“I saw Mastantuono during the holidays in Argentina as well,” he said. “He’s a very young lad but he has great quality. I wish him all the best in Serie A.”
