Roma made it two wins from two in Serie A with a commanding 4-0 victory over Lecce on Monday, as Donyell Malen scored twice before Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora completed another emphatic result for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
The result keeps Roma among the early leaders after a second successive 4-0 victory, following their opening-day win over Fiorentina. Malen has now scored five times in the first two league matches, underlining the attacking threat that has emerged at the start of Gasperini’s tenure. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Malen puts Roma in control
Roma needed only four minutes to take the lead at the Via del Mare. Paulo Dybala capitalised on an error in the Lecce defence before Malen finished the move with the composure that has become a feature of his early-season form. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
The Dutch forward struck again in the 23rd minute. Wesley created the opening with a left-footed cross and Malen applied a delicate finish to double Roma’s advantage.
Two goals in the space of three minutes left Lecce struggling to contain the visitors, and Roma soon added a third. Malen was involved again, with Soulé following up after Wladimiro Falcone could not hold the initial effort, giving Roma a three-goal lead by the 25th minute. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Roma control the second half
The three-goal cushion allowed Roma to manage the second half without having to take unnecessary risks. Lecce were unable to generate the response needed to reopen the contest, while Roma continued to find space in dangerous areas.
Rodrigo Mora then added a fourth in the 65th minute, scoring his first Serie A goal after being played through by Gianluca Mancini. The young forward kept his composure in front of Falcone to put the result beyond doubt. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Roma finished with 64.2% possession and 15 shots, including eight on target, compared with seven attempts and three on target for Lecce. The figures reflected a match in which the visitors combined control of the ball with considerably greater attacking efficiency. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Gasperini’s Roma make another statement
The performance follows Roma’s 4-0 victory over Fiorentina in their opening match, when Malen scored a hat-trick. The Italian league’s official match preview had already highlighted the forward’s outstanding scoring record since January, and his latest double has taken his early-season impact to another level. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
For Gasperini, the biggest encouragement may be the manner in which Roma have maintained their attacking intensity across both matches. The team has scored eight goals without conceding, giving the new campaign an immediate sense of momentum.
Speaking after the victory, Gasperini said Roma were in good condition and praised the work of his players, while acknowledging that the squad is still coming together with several players returning later from the World Cup and new arrivals being integrated. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Lecce, meanwhile, were unable to reproduce the positive start that saw them beat Venezia in their opening fixture. Their next league match is away to Cagliari, while Roma return home to face Atalanta on September 5. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Two matches into the season, Roma have already produced eight goals and two clean sheets. The challenge now is to turn that explosive beginning into consistency as the Serie A campaign becomes more demanding.