Dybala and Hermoso dominate teqball contest as Roma squad relaxes in pre-season

Santiago Castro is settling into life at Roma following his arrival this summer at Gasperini's request. The Argentine striker is being coached to mirror the positioning and movement of Donyell Malen, Roma's starting centre-forward. In recent days, Gasperini has worked closely with Castro during pre-season fixtures, including a match against Newport on 4 August in which the coach provided tactical instruction during a cooling break. Gasperini wants Castro to receive the ball at a diagonal angle to goal rather than with his back fully to the frame, enabling him to release the ball quickly and attack in depth—a technique Malen executes expertly. Castro showed improvement in the second half against Newport and earned the manager's approval, scoring in the process. While Malen remains the designated starter, Gasperini indicated the pair are unlikely to start together regularly, though he left open the possibility during the fixture-heavy 2026–27 season. Castro's physical condition is improving as pre-season progresses. On 5 August, Roma trained at Hensol under the observation of Ryan Friedkin, with an afternoon session for players who did not feature from the start against Newport. Meanwhile, Roma are working on several transfer targets. Negotiations are advancing for Molina, with Atlético Madrid to receive €13 million plus €4 million in bonuses, while the player is offered a four-year contract at €2.5 million annually. Roma continue to pursue a left-back in Cacciamani and are weighing options in attack between Nusa and Fofana.

Roma vice-president Ryan Friedkin visited the club's training ground at Cardiff, where he greeted head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The appearance underscored the working relationship between the Friedkin Group hierarchy and the coaching staff as Roma prepare for the 2026–27 season. Gasperini, appointed in 2025, oversees squad preparation and tactical direction. Friedkin's presence at the training facility reinforces the club's investment in the manager's vision during the pre-season phase. The visit comes as Roma continue their preparation schedule away from Rome. The squad is currently training in Cardiff ahead of upcoming fixtures. Several players have been involved in recent sessions, with ongoing squad development and tactical work forming the focus of this phase of preparation.

Roma continued their summer preparation in Cardiff on the afternoon of 5 August with a session open to the press, focusing on players who did not start in the previous day's friendly against Newport. Donyell Malen attended training after missing that match with a fever, completing an initial period with the group before moving to individual work. The squad ran through warm-up drills followed by strength and acceleration work before finishing with a small-sided game played at one end of the pitch. Gian Piero Gasperini's side are preparing for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico in twenty days' time. Before that, a friendly against Brighton is scheduled for Saturday. Vice-president Ryan Friedkin and new chief executive Galanic, who was also present for the Newport match, observed the session. Several Roma supporters based at the resort watched training with their flags.

Nahuel Molina is set to become Roma's third summer signing, after Castro and Koulierakis, following an agreement in principle with Atlético Madrid for a permanent transfer worth approximately €13 million plus €4 million in bonuses. The Argentine right-back will join fellow countrymen Dybala, Soulé and Castro at Trigoria. Molina's path to Roma appeared written in the stars. In February 2025, the 2022 World Cup winner dined at a restaurant on Rome's Colle Aventino, a known favourite among Roma players and staff. At the time, he was still wearing Atlético Madrid's colours and could not have imagined the Giallorossi would become his new home. Social media images from the evening have since surfaced, capturing a moment that preceded his move to the Italian capital.

Roma secured a 4-1 victory over Newport County in their second pre-season friendly in Wales, bouncing back from a heavy defeat to Cardiff. New arrivals Castro and Koulierakis both found the net, along with Hermoso and Soulé, in a convincing performance at a League Two side. Hermoso opened the scoring with a run from deep while operating as a centre midfielder alongside El Aynaoui, and also earned the penalty that Castro converted from the spot for the 2-0 lead. Castro added a second goal later in the match, with Koulierakis also getting on the scoresheet. Gasperini deployed his favoured formation featuring a playmaker—Cristante in this instance—and two strikers, pairing Dybala with Castro. Although Roma asserted early control, they managed the game more efficiently once ahead, allowing both new signings and Soulé to capitalize on chances created.

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 are pressing ahead with a move for Alessio Cacciamani, Torino's left-back, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeks a deputy for Wesley in that position. The 2007-born defender, who impressed on loan at Juve Stabia in the 2025–26 season under Abate, fits Roma's recruitment model of young players with significant upside. Torino president Cairo is handling negotiations directly and values the academy prospect at a minimum of €15 million. Roma's director D'Amico made initial contact a week prior, floating offers beginning at €7 million before raising them to approximately €10 million plus performance bonuses, only to be rebuffed. Torino have not declared Cacciamani untransferable, though Abate, now Torino's manager, is keen to retain him and has recently sought clarifications on his status. Over the past two days, Roma have initiated fresh direct and indirect contacts, with further meetings potentially taking place imminently. The €15 million valuation remains Torino's baseline demand.

Roma have tabled an official offer of €17 million to Atlético Madrid for left-back Molina after growing frustrated with Feyenoord's stance over winger Read. The Dutch club have refused to budge from their €30 million valuation for the 20-year-old, prompting Roma to escalate their interest in the Atlético player. Roma had previously increased their bid for Read from €22 million plus €3 million in add-ons to €25 million plus €3 million, but Feyenoord showed no willingness to negotiate. Roma's approach for Molina comes as a €17 million package inclusive of bonuses, structured as a loan with an obligation to buy. However, the deal faces multiple obstacles. Atlético Madrid are holding firm at €20 million guaranteed, and Molina himself is understood to be seeking wages exceeding €3 million annually—a figure Roma consider excessive, given that Donyell Malen earns €3.2 million. The left-back's contract was recently extended unilaterally to 2028. Full-back recruitment remains a pressing concern for Roma, who are short four defenders across the flanks and midfield. Wesley's replacement as right-back backup and two left-sided options in attack have yet to be secured. Cacciamani is being tracked as a potential understudy to Wesley, with Torino asking around €12 million after rejecting Roma's initial offer of €8 million plus €2 million.

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.