Gasperini demands reinforcements as Roma prepare for Champions League

Givairo Read, the twenty-year-old Feyenoord winger, has attracted Roma's interest as a potential reinforcement. Robin van Persie, who managed Read at Feyenoord's Under-18 level and now coaches the club's senior side, offered a glowing assessment last summer: "As a person, he has remained the same boy he was three years ago – while many footballers change because of status and money. He doesn't. As a footballer, he is making enormous progress: he is simply fantastic and I believe he is ready to make the quality leap." Manchester City had shown interest in Read a year ago, but no deal materialised. Read, who turned twenty on 2 June, is considered a potential heir to Denzel Dumfries at international level and was linked with Inter as a replacement for his compatriot. Standing 1.84 metres tall, he began his career as a fullback but has developed into an attacking right-winger capable of playing on the left when needed. Last season proved more complicated than anticipated: after a strong start, a thigh injury forced him to miss much of the second half, limiting him to nineteen appearances compared to thirty-two in 2024–25. He recovered in time to contribute to Feyenoord's second-place finish. Trained early in his career by former Inter player Wim Jonk at Volendam, Read possesses technical skill, personality and pace that have caught the attention of multiple European clubs. For a manager like Gasperini, who has a proven eye for Dutch football, Read could prove a valuable addition both in the short term and for the future.

Roma suffered a heavy defeat to Cardiff City in their opening pre-season fixture, losing 4–1 at the Welsh Championship club on 2 August. The Giallorossi conceded three goals in the opening half-hour and went in at 0–3 at the break, with errors from established players including Svilar, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Wesley, Cristante and Dybala contributing to a chaotic first period. Paulo Dybala missed a penalty in spectacular fashion before atoning in the second half with a goal created by Matías Soulé, though Cardiff added a fourth after an apparent foul on debutant Castro went unpunished. The match served as the competitive debut for Castro, who operated as the striker in an all-Argentine attacking triad alongside Dybala and Soulé under coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical system. Roma fielded a reduced squad following two weeks of pre-season work, while Cardiff were significantly further along in their preparation ahead of their League Cup campaign starting within days. Officiating decisions favoured the hosts, with romanisti receiving a series of yellow cards distributed seemingly arbitrarily. Wesley and Rensch appeared vulnerable on the flanks, while the centre-backs and midfield operated out of sync. A notable injury concern emerged when Bah suffered a right knee distortion and had to be stretchered off. The second half saw gradual improvements, though Cardiff's quality ensured few clear chances materialised for the visitors. Young midfielder Lulli (born 2007) impressed in a brief appearance.

AS Roma have completed the signing of centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg. The 23-year-old Greek defender arrived on 1 August, with the transfer officially confirmed the previous evening. Roma paid €15 million plus €1 million in add-ons to secure him. Koulierakis touched down at Ciampino airport in the morning, underwent medical tests, and signed his contract with the club. He has chosen to wear the number 33 shirt. The defender will travel to Wales later in the day as Roma prepare for their pre-season schedule. A social media post featuring a photograph comparing Koulierakis with Kostas Manolas—both sharing the same first name—celebrating a goal against Barcelona circulated online during his unveiling.

Roma suffered a heavy defeat to Cardiff City in their opening pre-season fixture, losing 4–1 at the Welsh Championship club on 2 August. The Giallorossi conceded three goals in the opening half-hour and went in at 0–3 at the break, with errors from established players including Svilar, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Wesley, Cristante and Dybala contributing to a chaotic first period. Paulo Dybala missed a penalty in spectacular fashion before atoning in the second half with a goal created by Matías Soulé, though Cardiff added a fourth after an apparent foul on debutant Castro went unpunished. The match served as the competitive debut for Castro, who operated as the striker in an all-Argentine attacking triad alongside Dybala and Soulé under coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical system. Roma fielded a reduced squad following two weeks of pre-season work, while Cardiff were significantly further along in their preparation ahead of their League Cup campaign starting within days. Officiating decisions favoured the hosts, with romanisti receiving a series of yellow cards distributed seemingly arbitrarily. Wesley and Rensch appeared vulnerable on the flanks, while the centre-backs and midfield operated out of sync. A notable injury concern emerged when Bah suffered a right knee distortion and had to be stretchered off. The second half saw gradual improvements, though Cardiff's quality ensured few clear chances materialised for the visitors. Young midfielder Lulli (born 2007) impressed in a brief appearance.

Roma suffered a heavy 1–4 defeat at Cardiff, but the scoreline was overshadowed by an on-pitch confrontation involving two of the club's senior players. In the 63rd minute, an uncalled foul on Castro allowed Cardiff to launch a counterattack that resulted in their fourth and final goal. The decision sparked fierce protests from Roma's players, prompting referee Jones to issue yellow cards to several, including Castro and Soulé. Bryan Cristante was among the most vocal in his objection to the referee's decision. The situation escalated when Paulo Dybala joined the protest, triggering a brief altercation between the two Roma players. Wesley intervened to defuse the tension and restore order. Earlier in the match, Roma had also suffered a setback with an injury to Bah and saw Dybala miss a penalty kick. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be concerned by both the heavy loss and the disciplinary issues that emerged during the fixture.

Roma suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in their first pre-season friendly of the summer, with Paulo Dybala opening the scoring from a Matías Soulé assist before missing a penalty. Gianluca Castro made his debut, starting up front and battling throughout before receiving a yellow card late on; defender Bah was also forced off with injury. Gasperini analysed the performance in his post-match comments: "Distratti dietro nel primo tempo, abbiamo preso gol su rimpalli. Qualcosa di buono l'abbiamo fatto, ma se sei poco attento diventa tutto più difficile." The coach reiterated that the squad requires completion, stating: "Il mercato è partito tardi, sono andati via diversi giocatori e servono innesti per rendere la squadra davvero competitiva." Gasperini confirmed his targets—a defender, a winger, and two forwards—insisting they are achievable objectives. Castro is viewed as an excellent acquisition who can rotate with Donyell Malen and elevate the squad's level. On the transfer front, Greek defender Konstantinos Koulierakis landed at Ciampino airport and completed his move from Wolfsburg on a permanent basis for approximately €16.5 million plus bonuses and a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Born in 2004, Koulierakis becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The club is also pursuing Franco Mastantuono, a 2007-born Madrid youth prospect, though Real's preference for a loan or loan with option has not convinced Roma; Fiorentina are advancing in those talks. Negotiations for Feyenoord winger Read continue, with Roma offering €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons.

Roma suffered a heavy defeat to Cardiff City in their opening pre-season fixture, losing 4–1 at the Welsh Championship club on 2 August. The Giallorossi conceded three goals in the opening half-hour and went in at 0–3 at the break, with errors from established players including Svilar, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Wesley, Cristante and Dybala contributing to a chaotic first period. Paulo Dybala missed a penalty in spectacular fashion before atoning in the second half with a goal created by Matías Soulé, though Cardiff added a fourth after an apparent foul on debutant Castro went unpunished. The match served as the competitive debut for Castro, who operated as the striker in an all-Argentine attacking triad alongside Dybala and Soulé under coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical system. Roma fielded a reduced squad following two weeks of pre-season work, while Cardiff were significantly further along in their preparation ahead of their League Cup campaign starting within days. Officiating decisions favoured the hosts, with romanisti receiving a series of yellow cards distributed seemingly arbitrarily. Wesley and Rensch appeared vulnerable on the flanks, while the centre-backs and midfield operated out of sync. A notable injury concern emerged when Bah suffered a right knee distortion and had to be stretchered off. The second half saw gradual improvements, though Cardiff's quality ensured few clear chances materialised for the visitors. Young midfielder Lulli (born 2007) impressed in a brief appearance.

Roma suffered a heavy 1–4 defeat at Cardiff, but the scoreline was overshadowed by an on-pitch confrontation involving two of the club's senior players. In the 63rd minute, an uncalled foul on Castro allowed Cardiff to launch a counterattack that resulted in their fourth and final goal. The decision sparked fierce protests from Roma's players, prompting referee Jones to issue yellow cards to several, including Castro and Soulé. Bryan Cristante was among the most vocal in his objection to the referee's decision. The situation escalated when Paulo Dybala joined the protest, triggering a brief altercation between the two Roma players. Wesley intervened to defuse the tension and restore order. Earlier in the match, Roma had also suffered a setback with an injury to Bah and saw Dybala miss a penalty kick. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be concerned by both the heavy loss and the disciplinary issues that emerged during the fixture.

Muhammad Bah was stretchered off after just 26 minutes of Roma's pre-season friendly at Cardiff following a right knee injury that has raised fears of ligament damage. The 2007-born Gambian midfielder, deployed in the centre of midfield alongside Bryan Cristante, suffered a distorsive knee trauma and left the field in evident pain. Roma's medical team and coaching staff watched with concern as he was carried away. The injury carries particular weight given Bah's recent history. Two years ago, during a training retreat under former manager Daniele De Rossi, he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament rupture to his left knee and underwent surgery at a clinic in Saint Moritz favoured by the Friedkin Group ownership. That injury sidelined him for 11 months. The fresh trauma to his right knee has sparked fears of a similar setback at a critical moment in pre-season preparation. Roma's new Chief Executive Officer John Galantic arrived at the training camp yesterday and will remain through the end of the pre-season programme. The injury overshadowed what should have been a routine friendly fixture as Roma's medical team assessed the extent of the damage in the hours following the match.