Delvecchio: Champions return and centenary could make this Roma's year

AS Roma have moved to Wales for the second phase of their pre-season preparation under Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad will remain at the Vale Resort in Hensol, approximately twenty kilometres from Cardiff, until 8 August for an intensive training block before returning to Italy and their opening competitive fixtures. Roma will conduct training sessions at the WRU National Centre of Excellence, the Welsh national rugby federation's high-performance facility. The venue offers a natural setting ideal for physical conditioning and tactical work with maximum privacy ahead of the new season. The location represents a strategic choice to escape the intense summer heat of Rome during this critical preparation period. During their time in Wales, the squad will face a series of international friendly matches against Cardiff City, Newport County, and Brighton as part of their match fitness programme.

Roma return to action tomorrow when Gian Piero Gasperini's side travel to Wales to face Cardiff in the opening match of their British tour. The fixture kicks off at 4pm Italian time on Cardiff's home ground. The Giallorossi will fly from Rome Fiumicino at 5pm this evening to reach Wales. Cardiff, recently promoted back to the Championship, held a training session at their own facility in preparation for the encounter. Roma's squad will arrive in Wales later today ahead of tomorrow's friendly, which marks the start of the side's pre-season preparations under new head coach Gasperini.

AS Roma's pre-season operations in Wales have become the focal point of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's early summer planning. The club has established a training base in Wales where Gasperini is overseeing preparations ahead of the new season, with the facility serving as the headquarters for the squad's development work during the initial phase of pre-season. Gasperini continues to assess his available squad following recent summer additions Wesley and Devyne Rensch. However, the coach remains focused on bringing in further reinforcements to strengthen the playing group. The transfer window remains active, with Roma's recruitment team identifying targets to bolster Gasperini's options across the pitch. Key stakeholders including D'Amico and Ryan Friedkin of The Friedkin Group have been planning the club's market strategy, with a decisive summit scheduled to take place before Roma's time in Wales concludes. The search for additional depth continues, with various names being monitored as potential additions to the squad.