Imperious at home during the final throes of last season, Roma looked to build on a 12-match unbeaten league run at the Stadio Olimpico as Dybala hit low and on target within minutes.
Marco Brescianini broke free at the other end to test Mile Svilar in a similar way, but most of the traffic was played in Fiorentina’s half, with David de Gea forced into a flying stop of Rodrigo Mora’s right-footed curling effort.
More warning shots were fired by the Giallorossi leading up to a stunning opener on 27 minutes. Dybala came in from the left and drove menacingly at the Fiorentina backline, laying it off for Malen to cleverly turn past Dodo on a sixpence and slot home.
For fans of the Viola, that brought back memories of last season’s dismal 15-match winless start, and there was little more to lift their spirits as the half came to a close.
Fiorentina’s misery was compounded just over five minutes into the second half, as Malen hit a second for himself and his team. A long ball from Mario Hermoso gave Dybala the chance to spread it out to Malen, who shifted it onto his left foot and rocketed inside De Gea’s near post and into the roof of the net.
It looked written in the stars that Roma’s Dutch forward would take home the match ball, and he combined again with Dybala, releasing the Argentine to shuffle to the byline and play it back across goal, allowing the striker to tap in and complete his treble.
Roma were determined to keep Fiorentina out and record a league-high 12th home clean sheet, but they went one better before the end. Matias Soule’s ball into the area fell kindly to Niccolo Pisilli, who eventually brought it under control and prodded past De Gea to round things out.
Roma’s staunch backline, combined with an exciting attack and Gian Piero Gasperini’s mercurial tactics, gives the Giallorossi fans hope of a special season, while the early signs are that Paolo Vanoli’s sacking in favour of Fabio Grosso at the end of last season could have been a serious risk for Fiorentina.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Donyell Malen (Roma)
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