Gasperini demands urgent reinforcements after Cardiff defeat

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.

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 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 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala scoring from a Matías Soulé assist in what Gasperini described as an August match without alarm. The team showed signs of rustiness after heavy training loads, conceding early in the first half and struggling defensively. Tensions flared late in the match: Castro was fouled without a whistle as Cardiff broke away to score; Soulé remonstrated with the referee, Bryan Cristante attempted to calm matters, but Dybala objected and became embroiled in heated words with the midfielder, leading to a physical exchange. Soulé was subsequently substituted. The squad also suffered a setback with Bah sustaining a right-knee distortion injury; he is due for medical scans on 2 August. Castro made a subdued debut, receiving tactical instruction from match analyst Mauro Fumagalli during the warm-up. Gasperini was pragmatic in his assessment, noting the side remains competitive but lacks full depth. The coach said: "We've conceded from rebounds. We did good things going forward, but it's clear that if you're that careless and unfit, as inattentive defensively as we were in the first half, it becomes difficult." With Koulierakis arriving on 2 August to strengthen the defence, Roma's transfer focus now shifts to midfield and attack. Gasperini explicitly stated the requirement: "Whoever plays in the cups must have at least two players per position—it's essential; those without it pay heavily." Roma has tabled a €25 million offer to Feyenoord and awaits a response regarding Read, expected on 2 August. Endrick is also under consideration for the wing position.

Tension flared during Roma's friendly match in Wales when Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante clashed on the pitch. The incident began with protests from Matías Soulé, followed by Cristante's intervention—a move that drew Dybala's displeasure. The clash prompted a heated exchange between Dybala and Cristante as nerves frayed on the field. The friendly in Cardiff served as an early test for Gian Piero Gasperini's side ahead of the new season. Squad unity and composure during pre-season fixtures are typically viewed as important markers for Roma's preparation. Dybala's involvement in the confrontation underscores the intensity the players are bringing to their summer preparations. The match also saw Soulé involved in the broader friction, suggesting multiple players were engaged in the tensions that emerged during the encounter.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala scoring from a Matías Soulé assist in what Gasperini described as an August match without alarm. The team showed signs of rustiness after heavy training loads, conceding early in the first half and struggling defensively. Tensions flared late in the match: Castro was fouled without a whistle as Cardiff broke away to score; Soulé remonstrated with the referee, Bryan Cristante attempted to calm matters, but Dybala objected and became embroiled in heated words with the midfielder, leading to a physical exchange. Soulé was subsequently substituted. The squad also suffered a setback with Bah sustaining a right-knee distortion injury; he is due for medical scans on 2 August. Castro made a subdued debut, receiving tactical instruction from match analyst Mauro Fumagalli during the warm-up. Gasperini was pragmatic in his assessment, noting the side remains competitive but lacks full depth. The coach said: "We've conceded from rebounds. We did good things going forward, but it's clear that if you're that careless and unfit, as inattentive defensively as we were in the first half, it becomes difficult." With Koulierakis arriving on 2 August to strengthen the defence, Roma's transfer focus now shifts to midfield and attack. Gasperini explicitly stated the requirement: "Whoever plays in the cups must have at least two players per position—it's essential; those without it pay heavily." Roma has tabled a €25 million offer to Feyenoord and awaits a response regarding Read, expected on 2 August. Endrick is also under consideration for the wing position.

Tension flared during Roma's friendly match in Wales when Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante clashed on the pitch. The incident began with protests from Matías Soulé, followed by Cristante's intervention—a move that drew Dybala's displeasure. The clash prompted a heated exchange between Dybala and Cristante as nerves frayed on the field. The friendly in Cardiff served as an early test for Gian Piero Gasperini's side ahead of the new season. Squad unity and composure during pre-season fixtures are typically viewed as important markers for Roma's preparation. Dybala's involvement in the confrontation underscores the intensity the players are bringing to their summer preparations. The match also saw Soulé involved in the broader friction, suggesting multiple players were engaged in the tensions that emerged during the encounter.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in what appears to be a pre-season fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini's reaction to the hosts' first goal was notably frustrated, though he remained composed as further goals followed. Paulo Dybala scored for Roma, but the performance was marked by defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion. The defeat highlighted areas of concern for Roma ahead of the new season. Tensions emerged on the pitch during the match, with Dybala and Matías Soulé involved in a discussion with Bryan Cristante. Gasperini addressed the squad's preparation afterwards, remarking on their lack of focus and emphasizing the need to complete the squad roster as soon as possible. The result comes as Roma continue their pre-season preparations and work on the transfer market. Evan Ferguson made his debut for the club during the match, while other transfer activity continues to develop, with reported interest in Read and ongoing discussions about Soulé's future.