Malen calls Real Madrid clash “the perfect opportunity”

“It’s the perfect opportunity for us to measure ourselves against one of the best teams in Europe,” Donyell Malen said on the eve of Roma’s match against Real Madrid. The forward sees the game as a special chance to assess the Italian team’s level.

Malen also recalled that qualifying for the Champions League had been among the club’s objectives since he arrived in January this year. He said the team can now enjoy this special occasion.

The player credited the coach’s trust, along with the contributions of his teammates, the technical staff and the fans, as factors behind his performances. He stressed how important their presence could be, particularly in difficult moments during the match: “Their support will be very important, because they manage to pull you along with them.”

Malen also addressed his dismissal in the most recent match against Como, saying he felt “great frustration and disappointment” about what happened. He said he apologised in the dressing room after the game and found it stressful to follow the rest of the match from there. “Tomorrow I’ll do everything I can to help the team,” he added.

Speaking about a player he will see again, Malen said: “It’s been a while since we played together. He’s a special player, everyone knows him, and it’ll be a good opportunity to see him again.”