Angeliño's Future in Doubt as Roma Step Up Pre-Season Work

Neil El Aynaoui was spotted by Roma fans enjoying a summer break in Cannes following his Morocco side's elimination from the World Cup. The midfielder is currently on holiday in France before returning to the Italian capital on 30 July. El Aynaoui's presence in Cannes comes at an interesting moment for Roma, who will face the local team in a pre-season friendly on Friday. Gian Piero Gasperini's side will travel to Stade Pierre de Coubertin for the 17:30 kickoff against Cannes as part of their summer preparation ahead of the new season.

Roma's first team, under Gasperini, will face Cannes in a friendly match tomorrow at 17:30 in France. The club used the day to work towards the fixture as part of their pre-season preparations. Meanwhile, Roma's Primavera side experienced disappointment at Cascia, where they were defeated by Benevento. The youth team's setback came as the senior squad gears up for their upcoming friendly engagement. Former Roma striker Borja Mayoral discussed the Giallorossi and their recent managerial history under Mourinho. Transfer speculation has also emerged from Turkey regarding Akturkoglu, though Roma's direct involvement remains unclear.

Roma's Primavera side fell to a second consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to Benevento at Cascia in a friendly match. Mignani and Talia scored one goal each, with one coming in each half. Coach Mattia Scala's squad is continuing their pre-season preparations after a 6-0 loss in their previous outing. Three players—Lulli, Panico, and Bah—were absent from the lineup as they are set to depart with Roma's first team tomorrow for a friendly against Cannes. Young talent Camara featured in the match but was substituted after taking a knock to the knee; his condition is not a cause for concern. Youth sector chief Margiotta was present on the bench.

Gian Piero Gasperini is closely monitoring Mandjou Camara, a 2009-born Guinean forward who made an impression in Roma's friendly against Trastevere. The match saw Roma field a largely youth-team lineup, with only Gollini, Ziółkowski, Ghilardi, Angeliño and Dovbyk from the senior squad on the pitch. While Arena scored, Camara stole the spotlight with several impressive moments despite not finding the net. During the second half, Gasperini's assistant Gritti positioned himself on the right flank to guide Camara's movements, calling out instructions such as "Drop back", "Shoot", and "Don't stay too deep". Camara is expected to join Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales, giving Gasperini further opportunity to assess his development. Camara arrived at Roma as the final signing from the youth academy oversight of Alberto De Rossi, who departed the club on 30 June after more than 32 years. Roma acquired him on a free transfer after he left SPAL. He began the season in the Under 17 category before being promoted to the Under 18 squad under Mattia Scala, who now coaches the Primavera. In thirty matches, Camara has registered eleven goals and nine assists. His one-on-one ability and dribbling have impressed Gasperini, who is working to facilitate his next step forward, though some technical refinement remains needed. Vinicius Junior is his inspiration.

Roma swept past Trastevere 6–0 in a pre-season friendly at Trigoria, with Donyell Malen making an immediate impact on his first appearance of the season. The Dutch forward unlocked the match after three minutes and provided an assist for Bryan Cristante's goal, though he squandered a close-range opportunity. Paulo Dybala and Cherubini completed the first-half scoring, while Angeliño and young player Arena added second-half goals. Despite the emphatic victory, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces a depleted squad. Seven players from last season remain unresolved in the transfer market, and several more are absent due to post-World Cup leave—including Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui. Matías Soulé was rested as a precaution, while Robinio Vaz and Niccolò Pisilli have physical issues; Pisilli is sidelined with a first-degree soleus muscle-fascial strain. Evan N'Dicka appears fully recovered and Cristante impressed with his solidity and attacking threat, though Angeliño showed signs of lacking match fitness despite his goal. Prospect Camara delivered a convincing display under close staff observation. Cristante reiterated Roma's ambitions for the upcoming Champions League campaign and expressed confidence in new signings arriving soon, while signalling full openness to Lorenzo Pellegrini's return to the group.

Roma cruised to a 6-0 victory over Trastevere in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Trigoria, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala among the scorers. The match was played over two 35-minute halves, with first-half goals coming from Malen (3rd minute, set up by Devyne Rensch), Dybala (12th, from Bryan Cristante), Bryan Cristante (assist from Malen), and Rensch (30th, teeing up Cherubini). In the second half, with Gasperini fielding a largely youth-based XI, Angeliño and Arena added the final two goals in the closing minutes. The friendly marked Malen and Evan N'Dicka's return to full training following their World Cup campaigns with the Netherlands, both key players in Roma's recent Champions League qualification push. Matías Soulé was rested for load management, while Niccolò Pisilli missed out with a grade-one soleus muscle injury and will be assessed for recovery. Mario Hermoso impressed as the standout defender in the first half, while Malen showed signs of shaking off rustiness despite limited pre-season minutes alongside Dybala. Sports director Tony D'Amico attended from the dugout alongside Massimo Margiotta, the new youth academy director. The second half saw extensive minutes for academy players, continuing Roma's recent pattern from a 6-0 win over the senior Primavera side on the previous Sunday.