Five goals in three games make D. Malen Roma’s main threat at Torino

Roma arrive six points clear after perfect start

Torino host AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on Monday, September 14, with the visitors second in Serie A after three wins from three. Roma have nine points and a +9 goal difference, while Torino sit 13th with three points and a -1 goal difference after one win and two defeats. Lazio lead the table on 10 points, leaving Roma one point behind and Torino seven adrift.

That gap gives Roma an opportunity to maintain pressure on the leaders, while Torino need a result to move away from the lower part of the early table. The standings may encourage Roma to play with authority, whereas Torino could place greater value on limiting the damage against the division’s strongest early record. Those are likely pressures rather than confirmed tactical choices.

Malen leads Roma’s attacking threat

Roma’s perfect form is supported by a potent scoring record. D. Malen has scored five goals in three league appearances, making him the clearest individual threat in the match. M. Soulé has added two goals and one assist in three appearances, giving Roma another productive option.

Torino’s leading scorer is C. Adams, with two goals in three appearances. His contribution gives the hosts a defined route to goal, but Torino’s home numbers show room for improvement: they have lost their only home match, scoring once and conceding twice. They have kept no clean sheets at home.

Contrasting formations could shape the contest

Roma have used a 3-4-2-1 twice and a 3-4-1-2 once. Torino have also used the 3-4-2-1, alongside the 5-3-2 and 3-1-4-2, each once. Based on those selections, both teams have experience with a three-player defensive structure, while Torino have shown more variation across their opening fixtures.

Roma’s away record adds weight to their attacking profile: one win, four goals scored, no goals conceded and one clean sheet. Torino’s home figures point in the opposite direction. The hosts may need to turn their structural flexibility into greater defensive security, while Roma will look to preserve the balance that has produced a perfect away start.

Absences add uncertainty to selection

Torino will be without F. Israel because of a shoulder injury and P. Pellegri because of a knee injury. C. Casadei is questionable for rest, while S. Coco is questionable with an injury. These absences could reduce Torino’s available options as they seek a response to their recent sequence of loss, loss, win.

Roma are missing M. Bah with a knee injury and L. Pellegrini with a thigh injury. Their wider squad has still produced three consecutive wins, but the unavailable pair may affect the choices around a side that has relied mainly on the 3-4-2-1.

Prediction: Torino 1-2 AS Roma

Roma’s perfect form, Malen’s five goals and their clean-sheet away record make them the stronger pick, although Adams’ scoring form should give Torino a route into the match.