But it was an even bigger Monday night in the Italian capital for teenager Antonio Arena.
The Sydney-born 16-year-old, who has dual citizenship and has represented both Australia and Italy at youth international level, was handed his Serie A debut by Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Arena came off the bench in the 84th minute to become the seventh-youngest player to feature in the Italian top flight for the Giallorossi.
Last month he scored with his first touch after entering an Italian Cup clash against Torino.
Leaders Inter Milan (58) are eight points clear of city rivals AC Milan and nine ahead of reigning champions Napoli. Roma are fourth, three points further back along with Juventus.
Dutch centre forward Malen had scored only once in four appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa in January and he proved his worth on at the Stadio Olimpico with two excellent finishes.
He ran on to a clever through ball from Gianluca Mancini and his deft chip over the goalkeeper was equal to the set-up pass.
His second was more of a poacher's effort as he got on the right side of a packed defence to turn in a low cross 20 minutes after the break.
The result served as a confidence booster ahead of next weekend's crunch tie at Napoli.
Cagliari, seeking a fourth consecutive Serie A win for the first time in more than a decade, remain 12th.
Elsewhere, Atalanta moved to within two points of the European places after beating Cremonese 2-1.
Atalanta, unbeaten in their last seven league matches, are seventh, with Cremonese 16th.
With AAP.
28°C