Roma’s opener came on 40 minutes when Donyell Malen finished a big chance from close range, a move worth 1.29 xG and 1.25 xGOT. That strike gave the visitors a lead at half-time after a first period they dominated in chance quality, 1.46 xG to 0.11. Torino had their best spell after the break, generating 0.65 second-half xG to Roma’s 0.45. Still, the final blow belonged to Roma, as Niccolò Pisilli made it 2-0 at 90+3’ with a right-foot finish from a tight angle worth 0.04 xG.

Across 90 minutes, Roma recorded 14 shots to Torino’s 7 and produced 12 shots inside the box compared to 3. Torino finished with a slight possession edge at 53%, but Roma controlled the penalty area and set-piece volume with an 8-1 corner advantage. There were three big chances for Roma and two for Torino, with the visitors converting one and the hosts none. Giovanni Simeone’s two big-chance misses (0.62 xG total) underlined the difference in execution. Referee Fabio Maresca showed two yellow cards, both to Roma, without impacting the rhythm of the match.

Roma’s attacking output by the numbers

Roma’s attack was direct, dangerous and repeatable. The visitors posted 1.91 expected goals to Torino’s 0.76 and created 65 final-third entries to 49. Their final-third sequence completion was clean as well, hitting 128/171 passes there for 75% compared to Torino’s 62%. They also dribbled efficiently, completing 11 of 13 take-ons overall, including a perfect 7 of 7 in the second half.

Individual contributions backed up the team picture. Malen led the way with the opener and that hefty 1.29 xG in just 57 minutes. Nahuel Molina offered punch from wide with two shots and seven ball recoveries. Paulo Dybala stacked three key passes before his 64th-minute exit. Mario Hermoso supplied a big-chance creation and led Roma with 0.45 expected assists from deep distribution. Rodrigo Mora came off the bench and immediately added 0.49 expected assists on tidy 10/12 passing. Matías Soulé advanced play with 27 carries and kept Roma on the front foot.

Torino’s response and where it fell short

Torino saw more of the ball, completed more passes (507 to 437) and won the overall duel share at 51%. They also held the edge in aerials, winning 57% and showing plenty of fight in both boxes. The second half actually tilted toward the hosts in chance creation, where they posted higher xG and found two big chances. But the finishing touch was missing, and Roma’s back line closed lanes with 18 interceptions to Torino’s 7.

Crossing consistency was another gap, with Torino hitting just 1 of 7 accurate crosses against Roma’s 7 of 26. Final-third efficiency told the story too, at 62% to Roma’s 75%. Daniel Bragança’s introduction helped, adding a team-high 0.25 expected assists and a big-chance created from midfield. Lucas Perri stood up with three saves and a high claim, though his goals prevented figure (-0.08) reflects how tough Malen’s chance was to stop. Simeone’s three shots and relentless contesting showed intent but not reward on the night. The margins inside the box, not the midfield possession, decided this one.

MVP: Donyell Malen

Donyell Malen earned a Sofascore Rating of 7.8, the highest on the pitch, thanks to a decisive and efficient first-half display. He scored the opener, took four shots, and put two on target, converting a very high-quality chance. His 1.29 expected goals and 1.25 expected goals on target underline both the danger and the execution. He also added a key pass and won an aerial duel, all in just 57 minutes of work.

It was a complete striker’s cameo: minimal touches, maximum impact. Around him, Mile Svilar posted a 7.5 with three saves and 0.74 goals prevented. Niccolò Pisilli’s late strike capped his 7.4 showing that featured two key passes and tidy crossing. Leonardo Balerdi (7.3) and Mario Hermoso (7.1, 0.45 xA) provided the platform from the back. But the headline belonged to Malen, whose timing and finish put Roma in control.

Tactical and defensive trends