Donyell Malen news
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The gist
Roma striker Donyell Malen was sent off at Como and banned for one Serie A match.
He now prepares to face Real Madrid and former Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham.
Background
Malen joined Roma from Aston Villa last January and has become a key player, leading Serie A with six goals in six games and scoring 21 in 21 across all competitions. He was shown a straight red by referee Michael Fabbri for a foul on Kaiki in a goalless draw at Como that left Roma third, two points behind Inter. The ban was confirmed two days later, and Roma now host Real Madrid in the Champions League at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico, their first home tie in the competition since 2019.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026Malen, then Serie A's top scorer with six goals in five games, says he 'didn't feel important' at Aston Villa and praises Gian Piero Gasperini, saying 'You know he'll never lie to you about anything'.
- Oct 11, 2026Malen is sent off in the 53rd minute of Como 1907 vs AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium for a foul on Kaiki, receiving a straight red card from referee Michael Fabbri.
- Oct 13, 2026Malen's one-match suspension is confirmed, and he is one of three Serie A players banned after Round 6 along with Spalletti and Pisacane; the sports judge's decision was expected that day.
- Oct 13, 2026Malen and coach Gian Piero Gasperini hold a pre-match press conference on the eve of the Champions League match against Real Madrid.
- Oct 14, 2026Roma are set to host Real Madrid in the Champions League at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico, the club's first home tie in the competition since 2019.
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Malen says he is 'less frustrated now', did not intend to hurt anyone, and calls watching his teammates play on after the red card 'one of the most stressful experiences'.
- Player
- Malen says Roma are 'highly motivated' for the Real Madrid match and expects 'a fantastic night' at home in the Champions League.
- Player
- Malen says the next match is 'a separate occasion' with little to do with what happened at Como.
- Analysts
- La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Malen and Roma expect the minimum one-match sanction, but much depends on what referee Fabbri writes in his report, so a two-match ban cannot be ruled out.
Still unverified
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Malen and Roma expect only a one-match ban, with the outcome depending on referee Fabbri's report and a two-match ban not ruled out; Corriere dello Sport considers Napoli-Roma on Saturday, October 24th at 6:00 PM the most likely option if a two-match ban is imposed.