Was it even a real quote, or only an approximation, a convenient lead-in to columns such as this? After Donyell Malen put the ball in the net for the second time in the first half-hour of his Roma debut, a member of his new team’s coaching staff was reportedly heard asking: “ma chi abbiamo preso?” – who on earth have we just signed?
Nobody would clarify who said this, and frankly it did not matter. The phrase was now canon, repeated in commentary and churned across the oceans of online news aggregation. It resonated because Roma’s supporters were asking the same question of a player who arrived from Aston Villa two days before.
Malen had attempted his first shot against Torino as early as the sixth minute, but it was from the 20th onwards that he and Paulo Dybala really took the game in hand. The Argentinian led Malen into the box with a pass so inviting that no touch was required before the Dutchman tested the Torino goalkeeper, Alberto Paleari, at his near post.
Immediately, Malen returned the favour. Receiving another Dybala pass on the edge of the box, he held the ball up this time and drew three Torino players to him before returning it to sender.
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