Roma’s Neil El Aynaoui (R) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and AS Roma in Bologna, Italy, 25 April 2026. EPA/SERENA CAMPANINI
Monday Apr 27, 2026. 11:00
Moroccan star Neil El Aynaoui has heaped praise on Roma teammate Donyell Malen after the pair inspired the team to a 2-0 win over Bologna in Serie A this past weekend.
Malen and El Aynaoui each scored in the first half as the Giallorossi won at the Renato Dall’Ara to boost their hopes of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
“The assist was better than the goal,” said the Moroccan midfielder, who teed up Malen for the opener. “It’s incredible that Malen saw that move first. He’s an incredible player and he knew I could put the ball in like that.”
El Aynaoui added, “I think we can do better in the game, but we were very strong in the key areas. I think that made the difference today.
“My first year at Roma? It’s been a year of discovery. It’s the first time I’ve played outside of France. I’m learning every day in an incredible team and club. I work every day to improve.
“We are trying to put Malen in the best conditions because this way we have a great chance of making goals.”
Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has also praised El Aynaoui, believing that the 24-year-old has taken some time to recover from his showing at the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January.
“El Aynaoui paid the price for the events of the Africa Cup of Nations, but he is a positive player and played a good match against Bologna,” said ‘Gasp’.
“He performed well until he travelled to the Africa Cup of Nations and had integrated well at the beginning.
“Morocco’s history with the controversy and all those events has been heavy on him, and he has paid the price. But we are talking about a very positive young player, and he played a really good match.”