Gasperini calls for immediate reinforcements after Cardiff defeat

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the media after Roma's friendly against Cardiff City, acknowledging defensive frailties in the opening period but praising the team's attacking moments. The head coach stressed that the transfer window has only just begun following the World Cup and indicated he expects additions before the season starts. Gasperini hailed Castro as an excellent acquisition, describing him as a natural centre-forward who can operate alongside Malen. "Castro is a 2004 who wanted to come to Roma at all costs—it will be a fine signing," he said. He outlined the squad's needs: "Compared to last season's squad we need a defender, a winger and two forwards. Then everything can change: if someone leaves, they must be replaced." Gasperini stressed that competing in cup competitions requires depth: "When you play Champions League at a certain level, you need a complete, competitive squad with enough players to rotate without losing quality." With three midfielders currently sidelined and only five defenders available, Gasperini flagged the urgency of recruitment. He confirmed that Koulierakis will arrive to bolster the defence, noting that teams competing in European football must have at least two players per position. The coach added the squad is now in its third week of pre-season training and that he hopes completeness arrives "as quickly as possible."

Roma lost 4–1 to Cardiff City in a summer friendly at the club's Welsh training camp, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledging defensive lapses in the first half as the primary cause. Speaking after the match, Gasperini said the team was "still in difficulty on someone, especially in the first half" and that defensive inattention made it harder to build momentum, despite some positive attacking play. Gasperini defended Roma's transfer strategy, stating his summer targets were straightforward: "A defender, a winger and two forwards—that doesn't seem like a difficult or insurmountable objective to me." He confirmed Castro, a 2004-born striker, as an excellent acquisition who will improve the squad, and outlined the possibility of Castro and Donyell Malen playing together in matches where the fixture schedule demands squad rotation. He also noted that a defensive reinforcement is imminent to expand Roma's centre-back options beyond the current five available players. On Matías Soulé, Gasperini reported the winger is improving in fitness, having featured at trequartista and on the left flank during the Cardiff fixture. The coach stressed that competing at Champions League level requires having two players available for every position, particularly given the intensity of a full European schedule.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly in Wales, a result head coach Gian Piero Gasperini attributed to lapses in concentration and defensive vulnerability. Gasperini said: "We were still struggling, especially at the back in the first half, we conceded goals from rebounds. We did good things going forward, but it's clear that if you're so distracted and out of condition, so inattentive in defence as we were in the first half, it becomes difficult. Then maybe you miss penalties and goals." The manager stressed the need for reinforcements to complete the squad, noting that several players have departed and the side remains thin. He explained: "The market has been particular because of the World Cup—it basically just started. Clearly from here on I expect something, quite a few players have left and the squad absolutely needs completing, anyone can see that. Some players need to arrive to make the squad competitive. We have three midfielders out, someone has just arrived, a bit haphazardly. It can happen in August, but we hope to complete ourselves as quickly as possible because it's already the third week finished." Gasperini outlined his priorities: a defender, a winger, and two attackers compared to last season's squad. He praised Castro as "an excellent signing, a great operation" and noted the 2004-born forward "wanted to come to Roma at all costs." He also confirmed Koulierakis will arrive to strengthen the defence. On deployment, Gasperini said Malen and Castro can play together in certain situations, and praised Matías Soulé's form, noting he "did well, is already better, and played as a trequartista." Gasperini stressed: "Whoever plays in the cups must have at least two players per position—it's essential. Whoever doesn't have them pays heavily for it."

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.

Roma slumped to a 4–1 defeat against Cardiff City in their first pre-season test in Wales, with errors and an injury setback marking a frustrating afternoon. Ashford opened the scoring with a brace and Salech added a third in the first half before Paulo Dybala pulled one back after the interval. Tanner sealed the Cardiff victory at 4–1, with Daniele Ghilardi striking the post late on. The result came during Roma's summer training camp and was compounded by a worrying injury to class of 2007 player Bah, who was forced to leave the field on a stretcher in the opening 45 minutes with a right knee distortion trauma. The defeat underlined areas Roma need to address as they continue their pre-season preparation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat to Championship side Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium on the opening day of their pre-season training camp in Wales. The match exposed significant defensive vulnerabilities in the first half, with Wesley and Rensch at fault for several errors. Cardiff scored three goals in the opening period through two strikes by Ashford and one from Salech, while Paulo Dybala missed a penalty. Roma's night was further complicated by an injury to Bah. Gasperini's side showed improvement after the interval. Dybala converted an assist from Matías Soulé to pull one back, but Cardiff's Tanner restored the two-goal cushion shortly after. Jan Ziółkowski struck the woodwork late on but could not find the back of the net. The result highlighted areas requiring immediate work as Roma prepare for the 2026–27 season.