Berrettini and Cobolli lead Rome's charge at Roland Garros as Cobolli dominates Tien and Berrettini survives epic five-hour marathon

Nahuel Molina made a strong impression in his first appearance for Roma, featuring for over half an hour in a 2–2 friendly against Borussia Dortmund. The Argentine full-back, who joined from Atlético Madrid for 13 million euros plus 4 million in add-ons, demonstrated his attacking thrust, intensity, ball control, and defensive aggression. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini identified him as the right player to elevate Roma's play on the flanks and bring additional international experience ahead of the club's return to the Champions League. Molina's solid performance at Dortmund surprised some Atlético supporters, many of whom had welcomed his departure after inconsistent form in recent seasons. The display prompted reactions on social media, with some observers drawing comparisons to legendary full-back Cafu and questioning why Molina had not performed at this level for Atlético. One fan wrote: "He left Atlético and became Cafu." Another asked: "Now he plays well?" A third joked: "It's clear that Madrid's water did him no good." The comments reflected a mix of irony and mild regret among the Spanish club's fanbase.

Nahuel Molina made a commanding 30-minute appearance in Roma's match against Dortmund, dispelling early doubts about his form and winning over sceptical supporters. The right-back demonstrated the full range of his abilities—defensive recovery, tackling, physicality, and assured ball-playing—exactly what Gasperini has asked of him. His performance was so convincing that even Atlético Madrid fans, who know him well, reacted with surprise on social media. One comment read: "With us he never played like this." Another drew a bold comparison: "Now he looks like Cafù, it's incredible." Molina's early Roma career had been marked by uncertainty. A difficult World Cup with Argentina, where he made errors against England and Spain, had cast a shadow over his arrival. Scepticism greeted his first steps in a Roma shirt. But thirty minutes at Dortmund changed the narrative entirely. He provided pace on the flank, defended solidly, pushed forward, and conducted himself with the composure of a seasoned operator. Gasperini values a complete full-back—someone capable across both phases—and Molina demonstrated exactly that profile. Roma's first official test awaits against Fiorentina. Molina is ready, and Gasperini is counting on him.

Roma's final pre-season friendly ended in a 2–2 draw at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring, followed by Bryan Cristante's goal, before Borussia Dortmund levelled twice to secure a stalemate. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the match to assess his squad's form against elite European opposition ahead of the 2026–27 season. Dybala and goalkeeper Mile Svilar delivered strong performances, with Svilar making numerous saves that proved crucial in earning Roma a draw. The fixture completes the club's pre-season preparation as the campaign approaches.