Castro and Koulierakis Score on Debuts as Roma Thrash Newport 4-1

Roma delivered a commanding performance in their second British tour friendly on 4 August, dismantling Newport County 4–1 at Rodney Parade. Castro and Koulierakis both started and scored, with Castro netting the second goal and Koulierakis the third. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring in an unusual midfield deployment, before Matías Soulé added a fourth late on. Newport County pulled one back through Cameron, but it proved irrelevant to the result. The victory came as part of Roma's pre-season preparation under Gian Piero Gasperini and offered promising early signs from the squad. The goals for Castro and Koulierakis marked encouraging contributions from two players in their opening appearances during the tour.

Roma concluded their second pre-season fixture on British soil with a commanding 4–1 victory over Newport County. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring after a cutback from the number 9, before new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis also found the net under Gasperini's watch. Santiago's penalty and a header from Koulierakis extended Roma's lead in the second half, with Matías Soulé sealing the win before Cameron pulled one back for the hosts. The emphatic performance underlined Roma's attacking threat ahead of the 2026–27 season. Gasperini's team displayed clinical finishing across the two halves, with both established squad members and recent additions making an impact. The warm-up matches in England have provided valuable game time as preparations continue towards the competitive campaign.

Roma secured a 4–1 friendly victory over Newport County at Rodney Parade under Gian Piero Gasperini, with goals from Hermoso, Castro (penalty), Koulierakis and Soulé. The Welsh club, preparing for their EFL Cup first round against Wimbledon in a week, provided determined opposition, but Roma's control improved on their previous outing against Cardiff City. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 37th minute after a slick passing move, latching on to Castro's lay-off and firing past Wright. Castro then converted from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Hermoso was brought down by Cameron, marking the Argentine's first goal in a Roma shirt. Koulierakis headed the third three minutes later from Dybala's assist—also his first for the club—before Soulé curled in the fourth from the edge of the box at the 80th minute. Donyell Malen remained at the club's base in Hensol with a fever, while Wesley returned from an ankle problem. A late goal from Cameron provided consolation. Roma's next fixture is a final pre-season test in Britain on Saturday at Brighton.

Roma delivered a commanding performance in their second British tour friendly on 4 August, dismantling Newport County 4–1 at Rodney Parade. Castro and Koulierakis both started and scored, with Castro netting the second goal and Koulierakis the third. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring in an unusual midfield deployment, before Matías Soulé added a fourth late on. Newport County pulled one back through Cameron, but it proved irrelevant to the result. The victory came as part of Roma's pre-season preparation under Gian Piero Gasperini and offered promising early signs from the squad. The goals for Castro and Koulierakis marked encouraging contributions from two players in their opening appearances during the tour.

Roma concluded their second pre-season fixture on British soil with a commanding 4–1 victory over Newport County. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring after a cutback from the number 9, before new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis also found the net under Gasperini's watch. Santiago's penalty and a header from Koulierakis extended Roma's lead in the second half, with Matías Soulé sealing the win before Cameron pulled one back for the hosts. The emphatic performance underlined Roma's attacking threat ahead of the 2026–27 season. Gasperini's team displayed clinical finishing across the two halves, with both established squad members and recent additions making an impact. The warm-up matches in England have provided valuable game time as preparations continue towards the competitive campaign.

Roma have completed two official signings — Castro and Koulierakis — with Molina approaching a deal, but Gian Piero Gasperini is growing increasingly puzzled by the lack of further arrivals as the club aims to compete on three fronts including the Champions League. The Friedkin Group's ownership presence in the stands during recent activity has offered little reassurance; behind cautious public statements, Gasperini's frustration is mounting as days pass without new players arriving. The stall in the market is already affecting Gasperini's preparation. Roma's second consecutive friendly displayed the problem plainly: for lack of reinforcements, the coach deployed a trequartista behind two strikers, a formation born more of necessity than choice. The side struggled against Newport County, the twentieth-placed side in last season's League Two (English fourth tier), before winning 4–1 with goals from Hermoso, Castro (penalty), Koulierakis and Soulé; Newport scored through Kyle. Only the defence is genuinely complete in squad depth. Every other area remains in flux, leaving Gasperini unable to finalize his tactical setup or implement meaningful summer rotations without disrupting the team's balance.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season fixture against the League Two side, with standout performances from players operating in new roles. Mario Hermoso played as a central midfielder alongside Neil El Aynaoui, opening the scoring with a run from deep and earning the penalty that led to Roma's second goal. Castro converted that spot-kick and added a second later in the match, while Koulierakis also found the net as Roma sealed a comfortable victory. Gasperini deployed a familiar attacking shape with a number 10 and two forwards, pairing Paulo Dybala with Castro in the final third and Cristante behind them. The midfield experiment with Hermoso proved effective, offering Roma creative options from a deeper position. Once Roma established control, the side managed the encounter well to secure the win. The positive takeaway extends beyond the scoreline: the goals from Castro and Koulierakis provided encouraging early evidence of attacking depth as Roma continue their pre-season preparations.

Roma's vice-president Ryan Friedkin attended the club's match at Newport County on 4 August, as the club's delegation travelled to Wales for the pre-season fixture. Alongside Friedkin, Roma's hierarchy including Gandler and Galantic were present for the encounter. El Aynaoui returned to the squad for the Newport match after a recent absence. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's attacking options remained depleted, with five forwards unavailable. The club continued to pursue transfer targets, with Castro among those in contention for selection. Roma's recruitment efforts also focused on alternative options as the club worked on reinforcements for the season ahead. The visit underlined the Friedkin Group's continued involvement in the club's operations and pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Roma bounced back from defeat to Cardiff with a 4–1 victory over Newport County on 4 August, a League Two side, in their second pre-season friendly. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring with a well-timed insertion in the 37th minute, then won a penalty in the second half which Castro converted from the spot in the 53rd minute for his first goal in giallorosso. Nikolaos Koulierakis added a third with a header from a corner in the 59th minute on his competitive debut, before Matías Soulé's precise left-footed finish made it 4–0 in the 81st minute, assisted by Hermoso again. Cameron's goal in the 85th minute provided Newport's only reply. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–1–2 formation with Hermoso deployed unexpectedly in midfield, an experiment the manager described through his subsequent tactical adjustments as worthwhile. Neil El Aynaoui returned to the lineup after recent absence, operating on the left flank alongside Wesley, Bryan Cristante, and Rensch. The match demonstrated squad depth and cohesion: after Dybala was fouled, the entire group rallied around him in support. Young players Lulli and Reale received minutes late on as substitutes. The fixture served as a tactical study during the Welsh leg of Roma's pre-season camp. Roma next face Brighton on Saturday, 10 August, in the most significant test of this opening phase of preparation.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season fixture against the League Two side, with standout performances from players operating in new roles. Mario Hermoso played as a central midfielder alongside Neil El Aynaoui, opening the scoring with a run from deep and earning the penalty that led to Roma's second goal. Castro converted that spot-kick and added a second later in the match, while Koulierakis also found the net as Roma sealed a comfortable victory. Gasperini deployed a familiar attacking shape with a number 10 and two forwards, pairing Paulo Dybala with Castro in the final third and Cristante behind them. The midfield experiment with Hermoso proved effective, offering Roma creative options from a deeper position. Once Roma established control, the side managed the encounter well to secure the win. The positive takeaway extends beyond the scoreline: the goals from Castro and Koulierakis provided encouraging early evidence of attacking depth as Roma continue their pre-season preparations.

Roma defeated Newport County 4–1 in a friendly in Wales on 4 August, bouncing back after a poor display against Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini deployed Mario Hermoso in an unusual central midfield position, a tactical gambit that paid immediate dividends. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 37th minute following an assist from Santiago Castro and an intelligent flick by Bryan Cristante. In the second half, Castro converted a penalty to make it 2–0 in the 54th minute, before Konstantinos Koulierakis headed in from a Paulo Dybala corner in the 59th to extend Roma's lead. Matías Soulé added a fourth in the 81st minute after being set up by Hermoso; Newport pulled one back through Cameron's header in the 85th. Koulierakis, making his Roma debut, earned praise for his physical presence and defensive anticipation, characteristics reminiscent of his predecessor. Hermoso was named the standout performer, credited with both a goal and the assist for Soulé's finish. Castro, partnering with fellow Argentine Dybala in attack, impressed Gasperini with his link-up play and movement. The friendly served as valuable preparation ahead of Roma's next fixture against Brighton on 8 August.

Paulo Dybala was at the centre of a heated incident during Roma's pre-season friendly against Newport on 4 August. In the 68th minute, the Argentine forward was brought down by a heavy challenge from behind by Evans as he advanced into the opposition half. Dybala immediately got to his feet and pursued Evans, prompting the entire Roma squad to rush in defensively. Bryan Cristante was among the first to confront Evans, before also moving to calm newly arrived Koulierakis, who was protesting loudly to the referee. Roma's bench rose en masse to voice their displeasure, and a brief scuffle erupted in midfield that lasted only seconds. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini responded by substituting Dybala shortly after, with Matías Soulé replacing him. The Argentina international's withdrawal was met with whistles from the Roma supporters present at the ground. This was the second flashpoint involving Roma's squad in Wales during the current pre-season tour. A similar altercation had occurred on Saturday between Cristante and the Argentine pairing of Dybala and Soulé. The incidents highlight the intensity and frustration building as Gasperini's side prepares for the new season.