Mario Hermoso praised Roma's performance in a friendly against Newport County, highlighting a strong second-half display. The defender played in an unfamiliar role but felt comfortable alongside his teammates. "Yes, we had a great match, especially in the second half. At the start they pressed hard, it was more difficult. For me it was a role quite different from usual, but I felt good with my teammates. The important thing is to win: it brings confidence ahead of the next matches," Hermoso said.
Hermoso acknowledged that Roma are still awaiting arrival of new players to complete the squad. He backed the club's recruitment strategy, noting that the sporting director and board handle transfer decisions while the players focus on their preparation. "We are a strong team, we are united, we want to do great things," he explained, adding: "All the teammates who arrive to fight with us are welcome."
When asked about Castro and Koulierakis specifically, Hermoso described them as ambitious young players joining a squad that had a strong season last year. "They are important pieces to perform well in the league, Champions League and Coppa Italia," he said. Hermoso stressed Roma's commitment to working toward a major season and competing across all competitions.
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AS Roma defeated Newport County 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Rodney Parade in Wales, with Mario Hermoso scoring in the 38th minute. Bryan Cristante won possession to launch the move, which led to Hermoso's close-range finish after a deflection off incoming signing Castro. Roma started slowly but improved significantly in the second half, according to Il Romanista. Mile Svilar made a crucial save in the 14th minute to deny Newport's Doidge, while the hosts' Jenkins received a yellow card in the 40th minute. Donyell Malen was unavailable due to fever, with Roma's medical team to monitor his recovery. Following the match, Hermoso welcomed Roma's incoming transfers, describing them as important additions to compete in the league, Champions League, and Coppa Italia. He praised the squad's unity and expressed confidence in the club's recruitment strategy under the sporting director and board.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Mario Hermoso ha parlato al termine della sfida amichevole contro il Newport County. Ecco le sue parole.
"Sì, abbiamo fatto una grande partita, soprattutto nel secondo tempo. All'inizio hanno cominciato col pressing, era più difficile. Per me era un ruolo più diverso rispetto al solito, ma mi sono…”
Read the full article in Italian at Il Romanista.