Malen scores yet again as Roma down relegated Verona to finish third in Serie A

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/as-roma/zVqqL0ma/"]Roma[/a] edged a tight first half against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/verona/rJVAIaHo/"]Verona[/a], controlling possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Verona stayed compact and dangerous on the break, frustrating the visitors with aggressive pressing and disciplined defending.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dybala-paulo/W4myUVXR/"]Paulo Dybala[/a] looked to be Roma’s main man going forward, but the hosts matched their intensity in a tense opening 45 minutes at the Bentegodi.[/p][p]The Giallorossi knew that as long as they avoided defeat, they would seal a top-four spot, and despite Como winning at half-time in their game, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men had their destiny in their hands.[/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="0a138331-b37c-42b0-8fc9-fee871ae7eb8" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="61730459-fce5-464e-ab59-e4d383f3e2b3" original-width="1920" original-height="1080" /][p]Momentum swung in the visitors’ favour when the home side were reduced to 10 men five minutes into the second half, with Nicolas Valentino being sent off for a second bookable offence.[/p][p][b]And just minutes later, Kieron Bowie was penalised for handling in the box, gifting Roma a penalty, which [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/malen-donyell/KOdKXsao/"]Donyell Malen[/a] - who has lit up the Italian top-flight since joining in January - initially missed but finished after Dybala fired the ball back into the box.[/b][/p][embed guid="a6152ab0-d980-4a98-9944-cbde34a8f935" url="https://x.com/ASRomaEN/status/2058644674169000287" social-type="twitter" /][p]Following the opener, Roma were in total control as Verona struggled to gain a foothold in the contest.[/p][p][b]And ultimately, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/el-shaarawy-stephan/fFLge2V1/"]Stephen El Shaarawy[/a] added another to confirm the result, firing Roma to Europe’s elite competition next season. [/b][/p][p]As for Verona, they were already relegated before today’s fixtures and will aim for an immediate return to the Italian top flight next season, having finished 19th, 17 points from safety.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dybala-paulo/W4myUVXR/"]Paulo Dybala[/a] (Roma)[/b][/p][image alt="Key match stats" id="eb172796-880a-4adb-ad07-7c1d3095ffae" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="422d65a1-baef-4fbd-9fe9-749cb5025344" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/as-roma-zVqqL0ma/verona-rJVAIaHo/?mid=U5ehWQF6"]Click here for player ratings and more.[/a][/b][/p]