Bah suffers fresh knee injury in Cardiff as cruciate ligament feared

Muhammad Bah was stretchered off after just 26 minutes of Roma's pre-season friendly at Cardiff following a right knee injury that has raised fears of ligament damage. The 2007-born Gambian midfielder, deployed in the centre of midfield alongside Bryan Cristante, suffered a distorsive knee trauma and left the field in evident pain. Roma's medical team and coaching staff watched with concern as he was carried away. The injury carries particular weight given Bah's recent history. Two years ago, during a training retreat under former manager Daniele De Rossi, he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament rupture to his left knee and underwent surgery at a clinic in Saint Moritz favoured by the Friedkin Group ownership. That injury sidelined him for 11 months. The fresh trauma to his right knee has sparked fears of a similar setback at a critical moment in pre-season preparation. Roma's new Chief Executive Officer John Galantic arrived at the training camp yesterday and will remain through the end of the pre-season programme. The injury overshadowed what should have been a routine friendly fixture as Roma's medical team assessed the extent of the damage in the hours following the match.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala scoring from a Matías Soulé assist in what Gasperini described as an August match without alarm. The team showed signs of rustiness after heavy training loads, conceding early in the first half and struggling defensively. Tensions flared late in the match: Castro was fouled without a whistle as Cardiff broke away to score; Soulé remonstrated with the referee, Bryan Cristante attempted to calm matters, but Dybala objected and became embroiled in heated words with the midfielder, leading to a physical exchange. Soulé was subsequently substituted. The squad also suffered a setback with Bah sustaining a right-knee distortion injury; he is due for medical scans on 2 August. Castro made a subdued debut, receiving tactical instruction from match analyst Mauro Fumagalli during the warm-up. Gasperini was pragmatic in his assessment, noting the side remains competitive but lacks full depth. The coach said: "We've conceded from rebounds. We did good things going forward, but it's clear that if you're that careless and unfit, as inattentive defensively as we were in the first half, it becomes difficult." With Koulierakis arriving on 2 August to strengthen the defence, Roma's transfer focus now shifts to midfield and attack. Gasperini explicitly stated the requirement: "Whoever plays in the cups must have at least two players per position—it's essential; those without it pay heavily." Roma has tabled a €25 million offer to Feyenoord and awaits a response regarding Read, expected on 2 August. Endrick is also under consideration for the wing position.

Roma collapsed in their first friendly match in Wales, losing 4–1 to Cardiff. Ashford scored twice for the hosts, with goals also coming from Salech and Tanner. Paulo Dybala was Roma's sole bright spot, missing a penalty but pulling one back to make it 3–1, though the goal proved only a consolation. The defence struggled throughout, with Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Devyne Rensch among the poorest performers, while debutant Castro misfired in attack. The squad trained this morning and appeared fatigued, carrying heavy workloads on their legs—a normal state at this stage of pre-season preparation. Young player Bah suffered a knee injury during the match, sustaining a right knee distortion; instrumental examinations will determine the full extent of the problem. Roma's next friendly comes on Tuesday against Newport at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italian time). The squad will train in the afternoon on Tuesday, with gym work scheduled for the morning.