Gollini displays his treasures: Totti's signed captain's armband emerges

Roma have agreed terms with Atlético Madrid defender Nehuen Molina after two days of negotiation. The Argentine will arrive for €18 million including bonuses on a four-year contract worth just over €2.5 million per year. Molina will operate on the right flank alongside Wesley on the left, completing Roma's full-back options at senior level. He becomes the fourth Argentine in the squad alongside Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala, and Santiago Castro. During an intense summer training session, Roma's technical staff oversaw strength and sprint drills with additional load work to sharpen acceleration. The club's board attended in full, notably including vice-president Ryan Friedkin, whose presence underlined the ownership's commitment to backing the head coach's work as the new season approaches. Roma continue to pursue young midfielder Cacciamani from Torino, with president Cairo evaluating the prospect—who spent last season on loan at Juve Stabia—at a valuation of at least €15 million. Gasperini has identified the 2007-born player as ideal cover for Wesley. Analysis on local radio has been mixed. Roberto Pruzzo expressed reservations about recent defensive signing Koulierakis: "He did not make a great impression yesterday. He seemed a bit imprecise and made many passing errors. I didn't understand if he's a defender who wants to hold his position or step forward to the attacker." Antonio Felici praised the club's work on fullbacks: "When you go for players like Molina, who maybe don't have all this interest, finished articles where you know what they can give you, you perhaps get more realistic valuations."

Roma extended their pre-season preparations in Wales on 5 August, the day after a 4–1 friendly victory over Newport County. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini oversaw the session, joined by vice president Ryan Friedkin and newly appointed CEO John Galantic at the training ground. The club is building towards the opening match of the 2026–27 season against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August. The Cardiff camp has provided Gasperini's squad with intensive preparation time ahead of their Serie A campaign. The presence of Friedkin and Galantic at training signals the ownership's close involvement in the team's pre-season conditioning and readiness for the competitive fixtures ahead.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has departed Wolfsburg and is preparing for his new challenge at Roma. The Greek defender posted a lengthy farewell message on Instagram to the German club, saying: "It is not easy to put the last few years into few words. I arrived young, in a new country and in a new league, but the club made me feel welcome immediately. I learned a lot, not only as a player but also as a person. I thank my teammates, coaches, staff and fans. I leave with many beautiful memories and with great gratitude for the time spent here." Koulierakis scored his first goal for Roma in a match against Newport yesterday and has impressed during his early involvement with the Giallorossi. The defender's move represents a significant addition to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as Roma prepare for the 2026–27 season. Koulierakis brings experience from the Bundesliga and international football to bolster Roma's defensive options.

Roma travel to Wales this evening for the second phase of their pre-season training camp, with Niccolò Pisilli returning to the squad after a calf injury sidelined him in recent days. Robinio Vaz, who had recovered a few days earlier, is also included in the group named by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The full squad for the Welsh camp comprises three goalkeepers (De Marzi, Gollini, Svilar), thirteen defenders (Rensch, Ndicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Mannini, Nardin, Reale, Lulli, Ghilardi), five midfielders (Cristante, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Panico, Bah), and six forwards (Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Cherubini, Vaz). Pisilli's availability marks a significant boost to Gasperini's options as Roma continue their preparations for the new season.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Roma closed their pre-Wales training camp friendlies with a 3–3 draw against Cannes, offering Gasperini both encouraging signs and lingering doubts. Paulo Dybala starred, opening the scoring with a free-kick and adding a third goal at the end of a perfect counterattack, with Donyell Malen adding the second and striking an immediate understanding with the Argentine. Cannes mounted a second-half comeback and equalised from the penalty spot at the 95th minute when Oggad beat Pierluigi Gollini with a chip after Artem Dovbyk's unnecessary foul. Wesley's red card, issued for a second yellow that left the bench incredulous, complicated Roma's shape in midfield; even Gasperini struggled to explain the referee's decision. Matías Soulé, not yet at full fitness, failed to impose himself, while the Dybala–Malen combination proved increasingly central to Roma's attacking play. The friendly offered useful tactical information ahead of the Cardiff match on 1 August, when serious preparation intensifies. For Dovbyk, the remaining minutes may have been his last in a Roma shirt.