Gasperini welcomes back Malen and N'Dicka as Roma prepare for Trastevere friendly
Squad News·23 July 2026·2d ago

Gasperini welcomes back Malen and N'Dicka as Roma prepare for Trastevere friendly

Source: Forza Roma

Gian Piero Gasperini has reunited with Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka after both players completed their first training session at Trigoria following the post-World Cup break. The Dutch forward and Ivorian centre-back are competing for places in a squad that currently offers limited options, with both seeking redemption after struggling during time in America.

Roma will field the pair in today's friendly against Trastevere at Trigoria, kicking off at 18:00, and will debut the new kit featuring the historic crest. Gasperini plans to give Malen and N'Dicka limited minutes in the match. Neil El Aynaoui is due to report on 30 July, with only Manu Koné still outstanding from the returning players. The club continues to pursue new signings as it prepares for the season ahead.

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AS Roma cruised to a dominant 6-0 victory over Trastevere in a pre-season friendly at Trigoria, with Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Bryan Cristante, Luigi Cherubini, Angeliño, and Arena among the goalscorers. The match was played across two 35-minute halves, allowing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to field two separate squads and provide game time to academy players. New sporting director Tony D'Amico attended the match alongside youth academy director Massimo Margiotta, monitoring the integration of young talent into the squad. The victory marked Roma's second consecutive 6-0 win in pre-season following a similar rout of the Primavera side. Notably, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka returned to full training after their World Cup campaigns with the Netherlands, though Matías Soulé was rested for load management. Midfielder Niccolò Pisilli missed the friendly due to a first-degree soleus muscle strain, though his condition is not considered serious. Gasperini appeared in high spirits after the match, engaging with supporters present and posing for photographs. Bryan Cristante spoke positively about Roma's preparations and expressed hope for Lorenzo Pellegrini's swift return to group training while emphasizing the squad's Champions League ambitions.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

In attesa degli acquisti, Gian Piero Gasperini si consola con il ritorno di Donyell Malen ed Evan Ndicka. Il centravanti olandese e il centrale ivoriano, infatti, ieri hanno svolto il primo allenamento a Trigoria dopo le vacanze post Mondiale e andranno a infoltire una rosa che al momento offre…

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

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