Koeman defends Malen after subdued display in Netherlands friendly

Roma will face Cardiff in a friendly on Saturday at 16:00 (15:00 local time) in their first test of a United Kingdom tour. The Giallorossi arrive in Wales on Friday evening, with two further matches to follow against Newport and Brighton. The Cardiff match will be shown live on DAZN but also broadcast free-to-air on Canale Nove in delayed coverage at 21:30. The Warner Bros–owned channel will also carry matches involving Juventus and Milan during the tour period.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

Paulo Dybala illuminated Roma's pre-season friendly against Cannes in France, but the 3–3 draw starkly exposed the club's dependency on the Argentine midfielder. Dybala opened the scoring with a masterful free-kick and produced a string of high-class moments before leaving the pitch; Roma then collapsed completely, conceding three unanswered goals to the newly promoted third-tier hosts and surrendering a late equaliser from a penalty carelessly conceded by Artem Dovbyk in stoppage time. With the transfer window still sluggish, the medical room full, contract renewals stalled, and painful departures including Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, Dybala has become Roma's essential lifeline—both on the field and as a symbolic figure for the club. His significance was underscored during Roma's centenary celebrations on the night of 21–22 July, when he embraced ten thousand supporters gathered at via degli Uffici del Vicario. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prioritised keeping Dybala, a decision that protects the club from both technical and emotional impoverishment and confirms the star as the anchor holding the entire project together.

Robinio Vaz has returned to full training with Roma's squad ahead of the club's upcoming training camp in Wales, which departs tomorrow. The young French striker has recovered from a knee injury sustained at Trigoria just over two weeks ago and trained with his teammates on the day of the announcement. Vaz's availability strengthens Gasperini's options as Roma prepare for the season ahead. The 2009-born forward faces increased competition for minutes following the arrival of Castro, but remains committed to his development at the club and aims to earn more playing time as a backup to Donyell Malen. The midfielder's return from injury comes at a crucial juncture for Roma's preparations, providing the head coach with additional depth in his attacking setup for the Welsh training camp.

Roma radio commentators have offered conflicting assessments of the club's transfer strategy heading into the final month of the window. Ilario Di Giovambattista rated Nusa's arrival at Roma as 85% likely, describing him as a strong signing and suggesting that adding him alongside Malen, Dybala and Castro would form an attractive attacking unit. He noted that head coach Gasperini deploys six players across the front line during matches. Other voices struck a more cautious tone. Roberto Pruzzo estimated only a 10% chance that Nusa joins Roma. The transfer priority debate also centred on full-back depth: Piero Torri argued that Roma must sign two wing-backs after Zeki Çelik's departure, stating the club currently has only Wesley and Devyne Rensch in those positions. "You have to compulsorily take two players, and one must be a starter," Torri said, adding that a month remains before the market closes. Vocalelli expressed confidence in the Friedkin Group's spending plans, noting they have consistently invested funds and will address remaining squad needs. Nando Orsi referenced Gasperini's preference for depth at every position, questioning whether the new CEO understands that Gasperini commands final say on recruitment.

Roma face Cardiff City in a pre-season friendly on 1 August at 16:00 at Cardiff City Stadium, marking their first match of the Wales training camp following earlier warm-up fixtures against Primavera, Trastevere and Cannes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso across the back; Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs; El Aynaoui and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Soulé in attacking support; with Malen leading the line. Tickets for the friendly are available through Cardiff City's official website. The match will be shown live on streaming platform DAZN, with a repeat broadcast at 21:30 on Italian channel NOVE. Live text coverage with real-time updates will be available on ilromanista.eu.