Gasperini seeks attacking partner for Malen as Roma reshapes strike force

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has given Roma's squad two days of rest following a friendly draw against Cannes. Training resumes on Wednesday, with the team then departing for Wales on Thursday to begin the second phase of their pre-season camp. Neil El Aynaoui will rejoin the group after completing extra rest days following World Cup commitments. Salah-Eddine will not travel, having been deemed outside the coach's technical plans and is currently seeking a new club. Gasperini is hopeful that Santiago Castro will be available for the move to the capital, with Thursday expected to be a decisive day in finalising the signing once remaining details are resolved.

Roma drew 3–3 with Cannes in a friendly match after leading 3–0, with defender Wesley sent off in what the source describes as an absurd decision. The giallorossi surrendered their commanding advantage to finish level, a result overshadowed by the controversial dismissal. On the transfer front, Roma are edging closer to securing Castro's arrival while preparing to move on Artem Dovbyk. The dual activity signals a significant reshaping of the attacking department as the club progresses through the window.

AC Milan winger Rafael Leao has reportedly been offered to Roma, with talks described as still in the exploratory phase. The 27-year-old former Lille player is keen to leave San Siro after seven years, but Milan have maintained a substantial €50 million asking price. Leao has rejected interest from Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, and despite alleged overtures from Manchester United, agent Jorge Mendes is exploring options at top European clubs. Roma face a significant obstacle in financing such a deal, given the club's cash constraints. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who guided Roma back to the Champions League for the first time since 2018, is reportedly keen to strengthen the squad ahead of an ambitious title push. Signing Leao, rated among Serie A's best performers despite a difficult last season, would represent a major coup and could elevate Roma from top-four contenders into genuine Scudetto challengers. However, Roma must first generate sufficient funds to meet Milan's valuation, and Leao's willingness to join the Giallorossi remains unclear.

Roma drew 3–3 with the Friedkin Group's Cannes side in a pre-season friendly in France on Monday. Paulo Dybala scored twice and Donyell Malen added a goal for the Giallorossi, though Wesley was sent off. The match followed the first phase of Roma's training camp at Trigoria, which featured tactical work and internal fixtures against the Primavera and Trastevere. Gian Piero Gasperini has scheduled two days off for the squad on Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing players to recover before resuming full training on Wednesday, 29 July. The head coach is still awaiting reinforcements from the transfer market as Roma prepare for the new season. The friendly represents Roma's latest step in their summer programme after relocating to France for this phase of pre-season.

Roma drew 3–3 with Cannes in a friendly, with Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen each scoring twice but falling short of victory. The result marked the Giallorossi's third pre-season match. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini responded by granting the squad two days off; players will not train on either Monday or Tuesday and will return to the pitch on Wednesday afternoon. The friendly fixture highlighted Roma's attacking intent during their pre-season schedule, though the failure to convert chances into a win reflects areas Gasperini will target as the new campaign approaches. The rest period provides recovery time for players ahead of continued preparation.

Roma surrendered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Cannes, a third-tier French club owned by the Friedkin Group, in a pre-season friendly that exposed defensive fragility. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a moment of skill, then set up Donyell Malen for the second goal. Dybala added a third himself to complete a brace, but the match turned when Wesley was sent off late in the first half after receiving a second yellow card that drew question marks. Playing with a numerical advantage in the second half, Cannes staged a comeback through two goals by Lopez and a penalty converted by Oggad to secure the draw. The result marks Roma's final warm-up fixture before Gian Piero Gasperini's side departs for Wales on 30 July. Dybala's creative display (rated 7.5) underlined his importance to the team's attacking play, while Malen (6.5) scored despite a mixed outing. Wesley's performance (5) was hampered by his early dismissal, and Artem Dovbyk (5) made limited impact on the match despite operating throughout.

Roma surrendered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Cannes, a third-tier French club owned by the Friedkin Group, in a pre-season friendly that exposed defensive fragility. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a moment of skill, then set up Donyell Malen for the second goal. Dybala added a third himself to complete a brace, but the match turned when Wesley was sent off late in the first half after receiving a second yellow card that drew question marks. Playing with a numerical advantage in the second half, Cannes staged a comeback through two goals by Lopez and a penalty converted by Oggad to secure the draw. The result marks Roma's final warm-up fixture before Gian Piero Gasperini's side departs for Wales on 30 July. Dybala's creative display (rated 7.5) underlined his importance to the team's attacking play, while Malen (6.5) scored despite a mixed outing. Wesley's performance (5) was hampered by his early dismissal, and Artem Dovbyk (5) made limited impact on the match despite operating throughout.

Roma drew 3–3 with Cannes in a friendly fixture in France, with the match played under the watch of Ryan Friedkin, whose Friedkin Group owns both clubs. The giallorossi took control early through Paulo Dybala, who opened the scoring from a free kick and then set up Donyell Malen. Dybala added a second-half goal to complete a brace, but the tie was overshadowed by Wesley's first-half red card—a dismissal the article describes as excessive given the context and nature of the offence. With Roma reduced to ten men and fielding a squad heavy with youth and reserve players, Gasperini's side struggled to maintain structure as the match unfolded. Cannes equalised through Lopes, who scored twice. In the closing stages, Ogadd sealed the draw from the penalty spot after Artem Dovbyk was penalised for a poor challenge. The friendly is unlikely to have provided Gasperini with the tactical answers he sought, given that the team's shape broke down significantly after the early dismissal.

Roma drew 3–3 with Cannes in a friendly match after leading 3–0, with defender Wesley sent off in what the source describes as an absurd decision. The giallorossi surrendered their commanding advantage to finish level, a result overshadowed by the controversial dismissal. On the transfer front, Roma are edging closer to securing Castro's arrival while preparing to move on Artem Dovbyk. The dual activity signals a significant reshaping of the attacking department as the club progresses through the window.

Roma departed for Nice shortly before 10:00 and will reach Cannes by coach for their third pre-season fixture at 17:30 (live on Dazn) against the club owned by the Friedkin Group. Head coach Gasperini will deploy a front three of Dybala, Soulé, and Malen, with midfield reinforcements required due to absences. Pisilli and Vaz are unavailable through injury, while Cherubini misses out with fever. Central midfield will pair the young Bah with Cristante, flanked by Wesley and Rensch, while Svilar starts in goal behind a defensive line of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso. Notably absent is Koné, though Neil El Aynaoui—currently on holiday in Cannes—will attend the match as a spectator before officially rejoining the squad on 30 July to depart for Wales, where the second phase of pre-season training will take place. A second-string lineup and Primavera players will feature in the second half. Roma will return to the capital after the match. Gasperini has granted the squad two days of rest, with no training scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Roma continue their pre-season preparation with a friendly against Cannes today at 17:30 at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. The match marks the club's first competitive test away from Trigoria following a reduced-time outing against Trastevere. Cannes, newly promoted to France's third tier, is also owned by the Friedkin family, making it an in-house fixture before Roma's departure for a Welsh training camp on 1 August, where they will face Cardiff in another friendly. Gasperini will be without Pisilli and Vaz, both unavailable due to muscular problems. The coaching staff will deploy the Malen–Dybala partnership in attack after the pair showed strong chemistry in the Trigoria friendly. Evan N'Dicka will feature in defence alongside Hermoso and Mancini to complete the back three. Midfield duties will see Cristante operate alongside young midfielder Bah, with El Aynaoui and Koné still on post-World Cup holiday. The fixture represents the final warm-up before Roma's squad departs for Wales.

Roma travel to face Cannes at Stade Pierre de Coubertin today at 17:30 in their first competitive pre-season friendly of the summer. The match comes after a reduced-time test against Trastevere at Trigoria and precedes Roma's departure for a training camp in Wales on 1 August, where they will face Cardiff in another friendly. Gasperini's side will be without Pisilli and Vaz, who are sidelined by muscle injuries. The head coach will deploy Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, a partnership that impressed during the Trigoria friendly. Evan N'Dicka will feature in a three-man defence alongside Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini. Bryan Cristante will anchor midfield alongside a young player filling in as El Aynaoui and Manu Koné remain on post-World Cup leave. The clash against Cannes, also owned by the Friedkin Group and recently promoted to France's third tier, offers a controlled environment for Roma to build match fitness. Ryan's availability remains uncertain following his return to the United States.