Another week, another win. Roma’s momentum just can’t be halted right now in Serie A, with a 2-0 win over Torino representing a positive return to league action after Thursday’s Champions League draw with Fenerbahçe.
Roma are now four from four in Serie A and they’ve been winning in a variety of ways. There were the comprehensive thrashings of Fiorentina and Lecce, before the late comeback of a smash-and-grab win over Atalanta. And against Torino, it was another category of win.
This was more of a grind-it-out
kind of victory: not the easiest game on the eye at times, but one Roma were able to prevail from.
The opening exchanges were fairly open and stretched, with both teams vying for control of the ball. It took until the 10th minute for the first half-chance, when an inviting cross from Mario Hermoso was headed over by Donyell Malen.
Malen then saw a first-time shot from outside the box deflected wide a couple of minutes later, having latched onto a loose ball after Matías Soulé had overrun in possession of the ball.
Soon, it began to become clear what kind of challenge Roma were in for. Even in the first half, Torino were pulling out timewasting tactics; you got the feeling they’d have been content for a goalless draw. But Roma weren’t having any of it.
There was a faint chance of a breakthrough when some stepovers by Emanuele Lulli got the better of the Torino defence, before his low cross almost caused an own goal when the ball was diverted away.
The Torino net was breached shortly after, when Paulo Dybala played through Malen for the Dutchman to let rip, but he was offside.
It was that combination that unlocked the game for good, though. Dybala won’t be officially credited with the assist because of Torino breaking it up, but it was he who put Malen in. A bit of persistence and Roma’s leading scorer of 2026 was able to prod the ball home yet again.
From that point on, Torino couldn’t take their time as much anymore, but the second half didn’t fully open up and was once again characterised by half-chances, neither keeper having too many tough saves to make.
Nahuel Molina, starting at left-back in place of Wesley and doing a pretty good job, had a couple of efforts, firing one just over after being set up by Malen and later forcing Lucas Perri to push away his powerful effort.
In between those chances, Mile Svilar made a routine save from a Rolando Mandragora free kick, and Bryan Cristante skied a left-footed shot.
As the closing stretches approached, it became a case of managing the game for Roma, but they still had their moments – usually driven by, paradoxically, defender Gianluca Mancini.
Having inherited the captain’s armband from Cristante, Mancini had an attempt with a header after a cross from Rodrigo Mora, but he couldn’t generate enough power.
His forward-thinking approach paid off in stoppage time, though, when he kept it alive on the touchline to craft a late chance in the box. The ball eventually fell to Niccolò Pisilli, who made it 2-0 with a powerful effort across goal.
Just like in the opening game against Fiorentina, Pisilli – who was making his first start of the season, and ran more than anyone else on the pitch – popped up with a late goal to finish off the tie. This time, considering Roma only had a one-goal advantage at the time, it was far more important in settling the score.
So there we had it: another three points in the bag for Roma. It’s the first time since 2014-15 that they’ve won their first four league matches in a season.
Final Thoughts
Roma are still on their perch at the top of the table thanks to their latest win, and the excitement around this team is certainly building. This was a professional performance, when Roma didn’t need to be at their blistering best but no player really had an off day. Being able to bed in the likes of Molina, Pisilli and first-time starter Leonardo Balerdi was another positive, as was getting Malen back on the scoresheet after two games without a goal (a drought by his standards). Lots to be content with, then, but Roma quickly have to reset ahead of their biggest challenge of the season yet.
Up Next
It’s the big one. Roma host Inter on Saturday, which – depending on the Nerazzurri’s result against Udinese later on Monday – could well be first versus second.
