Champions League – Malen scores and assists as Roma thrashes Bratislava 4-0 for their first win.

In the third round of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, Roma hosted Bratislava at home. They ultimately won 4-0, securing their first Champions League victory of the season.

Facing a Bratislava side with a clear disparity in strength, Roma dominated the game from the start. In the 10th minute, Wesley Franza's cross from the left wing caused a scramble in the penalty area, but Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolo Piscioli both failed to find the net. In the 16th minute, Navel Molina delivered a long cross from the right wing at a 45-degree angle, but Pellegrini's shot from inside the box went over the crossbar. In the 21st minute, Pellegrini's free-kick cross from the left side of the field was headed in by Daniele Giraldi at the far post, setting up Mario Hermoso to head the ball into the net and give Roma the lead.

In the 29th minute, Wesley cut inside from the left and passed the ball to Pellegrini, whose curling shot inside the box was saved by Dominique Takaczy. In the 32nd minute, Wesley broke down the left and crossed the ball, but Molina's volley at the far post went high and wide. In the 39th minute, Pellegrini delivered a precise long pass from midfield, and Donyell Malen broke into the box from the left and his shot was saved by Takaczy. Molina followed up and scored on the rebound, making it 2-0.

In the second half, Roma continued their offensive onslaught. In the 48th minute, Malen and Pellegrini combined before Malen's shot was easily saved by Takaci. In the 52nd minute, Tigrand Barcejan made a clearance error under pressure in the penalty area, allowing Malen to assist Pisili for a powerful shot into the net. In the 56th minute, Wesley broke into the penalty area and was brought down by Cesar Blackman. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Malen converted the penalty, extending Roma's lead to 4-0.

From that point on, Roma failed to score again. In the 70th minute, Pisciali crossed from the right, and Giraldi's header in the box was saved by Takacchi. In the 79th minute, Constantinos Kullerakis crossed from the left, and Molina's shot at the far post went just wide. In the 86th minute, Devin Rensch broke into the box and delivered a diagonal pass, Rodrigo Mora's follow-up shot was blocked by Takacchi's outstretched leg. In the 87th minute, Giraldi's shot from the edge of the box found the net, but the goal was disallowed due to several teammates interfering with Takacchi in offside positions. The match ended with Roma thrashing Bratislava 4-0.

Image source: Internet/Rome official website