Malen blushes at Van Basten comparison: ‘He was a very special player’ | OneFootball

Donyell Malen blushed at Marco van Basten comparisons after scoring three goals in his first four Serie A games for Roma. ‘I’m very happy, it was a good day.’

It was a great night for the Giallorossi, and by no means to be taken for granted considering Cagliari were coming off three consecutive victories.

Malen had scored on his Serie A debut against Torino on January 18, but these were his first goals at the Stadio Olimpico, and his first brace.

The former Aston Villa striker first beat Elia Caprile from the tightest of angles with a delicate dink, then got between defenders to slide onto the Zeki Celik roll across from the right.

Malen having ideal start at Roma

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Inevitably, he was the Lega Serie A Man of the Match, so is the Dutchman looking to follow in the footsteps of Milan legend Marco van Basten in Italian football?

“Van Basten was a very special player, no!” blushed Malen on Sky Sport Italia.

“I’m very happy, a good win, I’m happy with the goals, nice assist, everybody played well, so it was a good day.”

Malen arrived on loan from Aston Villa at a cost of €2m, with option to buy for €25m that can become an obligation of Roma qualify for European football at the end of this season.

He now has an impressive three goals in just four Serie A games.

UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Donyell Malen of Roma during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Standing next to Roma youth academy product Niccolò Pisilli, Malen was asked for a verdict on the midfielder.

“He’s amazing, I always talk to him in training, we need players with his kind of energy, and he brings that to the team.”

The Giallorossi knew that a victory would allow them to catch Juventus in joint fourth place, after the Bianconeri were held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio last night.

“It was a good performance, I tried to give my contribution, we played with a lot of intensity, and at times some quality football,” added Pisilli to Sky Sport Italia.

“A modern football player must be able to do everything, especially in midfield.”