While one never knows what to expect from the first match of the season, Roma’s opening salvo against Fiorentina was practically perfect. Facing one of the buzziest teams from the offseason, the Giallorossi could just as easily have been upset by Fabio Grosso’s new-look Viola as they could’ve squeaked out an ugly one-nil win.
However, rather than tasting defeat or limping to the line with a victory, Roma hit all their marks in a 4-0 drubbing of Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. From the promise of Rodrigo
Mora to the continued brilliance of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, Roma was all aces on Sunday, leading to one of the easiest Sinners & Saints we’ve written in ages.
And we’ll start off with Roma’s new dynamic duo.
The Saints
Paulo Dybala
Malen’s hat trick garnered all the headlines, but we like a bit of creativity here at the Chiesa di Totti. And as the closest thing we’ll ever see to our namesake, Dybala gets top billing this morning. From the opening whistle, Dybala played like a man possessed, finding empty space, seeking out the ball, and challenging the defense. With 62 touches, La Joya was among the most active forwards in the game, creating four scoring chances and generating three assists against only 1. 27 xA.
We shouldn’t expect nearly flawless performances from Dybala every weekend, but yesterday was a reminder that, on his day, Dybala remains one of the most gifted players in Europe.
Donyell Malen
Of course, part of what made Dybala’s playmaking so effective last night was the man at the end of those passes. After a torrid spring in which the Dutchman scored 14 league goals between January and May, Malen picked up where he left off, slotting three shots past David de Gea on the way to one of the most dominant attacking displays we’ve seen in months: 38 touches, 5 shots, 3 goals, and 12 touches in the box.
Not that he needs an opening day hat trick to pad an already strong case, but Malen has to be the odds-on favorite for capocannoniere.
Bryan Cristante
Yes, the first S&S of the season begins with the most divisive player in recent memory. After a sluggish start, Cristante came to life as the match wore on, stuffing the stat sheet in a performance that can only be described as quintessentially Cristantian: 96 touches, one key pass, 60% long passing, 10 defensive actions and 11 duels won, both match highs.
Gianluca Mancini/Mario Hermoso/Evan Ndicka
While Dybala and Malen stole the headlines, let’s not overlook a suffocating effort from Roma’s back three, who, along with the midfield, limited Fiorentina to only eight touches in the final third and four shots on target. They’ll face stiffer challenges this season, but they passed their first test with flying colors.
Emanuele Lulli
We’ll end today’s S&S with one of the most surprising halos we’ve ever shared. Thrust into the starting lineup after Nahuel Molina picked up a last-minute injury, the 19-year-old wing-back delivered a superb performance that could solve a lot of problems for the club.
In 90 minutes, Lulli chipped in five defensive actions and five balls into the final third while winning 70% of his duels. Making his professional debut, Lulli seldom, if ever, looked overmatched as he passed, pressed, and moved with the poise and intelligence of a veteran.
He’s not going to unseat anyone in the starting eleven just yet, but he gives Gasperini another intriguing option off the bench.
