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·24 May 2026

Serie A | Verona 0-2 Roma: Malen guarantees Champions League

Donyell Malen saw his penalty saved, but turned in on the rebound from Paulo Dybala’s assist to send Roma into the Champions League with Stephan El Shaarawy.

The Giallorossi knew a win here would guarantee a top four finish, but Wesley was suspended after the fiery Derby della Capitale, with Evan Ndicka, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Zaragoza and Evan Ferguson injured. Both Matias Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli started in support of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Hellas were relegated weeks ago, but drew three of their last four games, including against Juventus and Inter. Roberto Gagliardini sat out a ban, with Daniel Mosquera, Suat Serdar and Daniel Oyegoke sidelined.

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See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Players of AS Roma pose for a team photograph prior to the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

It was an aggressive start from the hosts, as Kieron Bowie tested Mile Svilar in the opening minute, while Bryan Cristante drilled wide for Roma.

The visitors took a while to get going, as Paulo Dybala’s free kick was acrobatically palmed out from under the crossbar by Lorenzo Montipò.

Verona had a huge opportunity just before half-time, as Svilar rushed off his line for a desperate one-handed save to deny Bowie one-on-one.

Dybala curled a free kick wide of the near post, but there were two incidents in quick succession to change the game. First Lautaro Valentini received his second yellow card for his foul on Dybala, then the Matias Soulé free kick was palmed away.

Moments later Bowie’s handling offence was spotted by VAR for a penalty. Malen stepped up and saw his spot-kick parried by Montipò, but he was able to bundle the rebound over the line from a Dybala assist to put Roma in front.

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma crosses the ball during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Soulé forced another tricky save from Montipò, then the goalkeeper used his legs to parry from Dybala after a Devyne Rensch counter-attack.

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Paulo Dybala during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Roma wasted several situations to lock down the win with Malen, who first couldn’t get his head to a strong cross, then ran onto the Stephan El Shaarawy pass only to narrow the angle too much.

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

They did add the cherry on the cake in stoppages with Stephan El Shaarawy, finishing off his last game for Roma with a goal to send them back into the Champions League. It was an act of huge generosity from Dybala, who was sent clear by El Shaarawy, but waited and provided the back-heel flick to let the Little Pharaoh sweep home.