Malen Goes Close in Roma's Pre-Season Opener Against Cannes

Roma faced Cannes at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in their first competitive friendly of the summer, more than two months after the Verona match that secured their return to the Champions League. The fixture marked a reunion between the two clubs under common ownership: the Friedkin Group has controlled Roma since 2020 and has managed Cannes, who play in France's third tier, since 2023. Ryan Friedkin, son of owner Dan, attended the match in person. Gasperini's squad had previously undertaken internal training matches at Trigoria against the Primavera and Trastevere before this fixture. The friendly served as a formal return to action ahead of the new season, providing valuable competitive minutes and tactical preparation for the Champions League campaign that awaits.

Roma faced Cannes in their third pre-season friendly, a domestic clash between the two clubs both owned by the Friedkin Group. Ryan Friedkin attended the match in the stands alongside Tony D'Amico and Maurizio Lombardo. The fixture served as another step in Roma's summer preparation ahead of the new season. The presence of the ownership at the friendly underscored the Friedkin Group's involvement in both clubs' operations and their shared portfolio in European football. At the conclusion of the match, final approval from ownership was expected for the completion of the Castro transfer operation.

Roma played out a goalless draw against Cannes at the Pierre De Coubertin stadium in France in their third pre-season friendly. Gian Piero Gasperini's side continued their warm-up campaign ahead of departing for a training camp in Wales. The match saw Roma face Les Dragones Rouge in what was billed as a family fixture between the two clubs. The friendly forms part of Roma's preparation schedule as they build match fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the new season. The Giallorossi have been conducting an extended pre-season tour and are scheduled to move on from France to Wales for their next phase of preparations. During the match, Gianluca Mancini was involved in a collision and went to ground, though the article provides no further detail on the incident or any subsequent injury concern.

Roma and Bologna have agreed terms for the transfer of Argentine forward Santiago Castro to the Stadio Olimpico in a deal worth around €30 million. The 21-year-old is expected to join the Giallorossi in the coming days, ending a summer window that has seen Roma miss out on other targets. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had watched Mason Greenwood's move from Marseille hijacked by Fenerbahçe and Crysencio Summerville stolen by Al-Hilal, but the club moved swiftly to secure Castro before a similar situation could develop. Castro operates primarily as a centre-forward, a position currently held by Donyell Malen, meaning the Argentine is likely to serve as backup unless Gasperini alters his tactical system. The 21-year-old's numbers last season were modest—11 goals in 51 matches across all competitions—but his work ethic and pressing style align with Gasperini's high-intensity demands. With Roma preparing for Champions League football, his addition offers valuable depth and potential for development under a coach renowned for improving young talent.

Roma face Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin, with kick-off at 17:30. The match represents the club's third summer test following earlier fixtures against Roma's Primavera and Trastevere during their pre-season camp. Gasperini names Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen in attack, deployed in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The midfield features Devyne Rensch and Wesley at full-back, with Bryan Cristante and a player listed as Bah in central midfield. The fixture will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via smartphone, PC or tablet through the app or the official website. Roma's pre-season schedule continues as Gasperini prepares the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Roma played Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Pierre-de-Coubertin in France, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation. The starting XI included Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Bah and Wesley across midfield; and Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen up front. The match marked Roma's third pre-season outing following two 6–0 victories against Trastevere and Primavera. Gasperini continues working with limited squad depth as the club awaits new arrivals in the transfer window. Malen had several chances early on, including a semi-overhead attempt that the Cannes keeper saved and a missed finish after good play from Dybala down the left. Wesley received a yellow card for a foul near the edge of Cannes's penalty area. Cannes, owned by the Friedkin family who control AS Roma, tested Svilar with a header that went over the bar. Mancini had a moment of concern during the cooling break when he fell to the ground after a challenge but recovered and continued playing. Soulé was noted as operating below his usual level, while Dybala and Malen remained the focal points of Roma's attacking play. The match served as another opportunity for players to build match fitness ahead of the competitive season.

Roma face Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin, with kick-off at 17:30. The match represents the club's third summer test following earlier fixtures against Roma's Primavera and Trastevere during their pre-season camp. Gasperini names Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen in attack, deployed in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The midfield features Devyne Rensch and Wesley at full-back, with Bryan Cristante and a player listed as Bah in central midfield. The fixture will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via smartphone, PC or tablet through the app or the official website. Roma's pre-season schedule continues as Gasperini prepares the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Roma played Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Pierre-de-Coubertin in France, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation. The starting XI included Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Bah and Wesley across midfield; and Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen up front. The match marked Roma's third pre-season outing following two 6–0 victories against Trastevere and Primavera. Gasperini continues working with limited squad depth as the club awaits new arrivals in the transfer window. Malen had several chances early on, including a semi-overhead attempt that the Cannes keeper saved and a missed finish after good play from Dybala down the left. Wesley received a yellow card for a foul near the edge of Cannes's penalty area. Cannes, owned by the Friedkin family who control AS Roma, tested Svilar with a header that went over the bar. Mancini had a moment of concern during the cooling break when he fell to the ground after a challenge but recovered and continued playing. Soulé was noted as operating below his usual level, while Dybala and Malen remained the focal points of Roma's attacking play. The match served as another opportunity for players to build match fitness ahead of the competitive season.

Roma are pushing to complete the signing of Argentine forward Castro from Bologna, with the player having already agreed personal terms. Sporting director D'Amico has intensified negotiations with both Castro and Bologna, working to reduce the club's initial asking price of 40 million euros by at least 10 million in a bid to wrap up the deal by the end of the day. The move would represent Gasperini's first summer reinforcement. Castro's arrival would further strengthen Roma's Argentine contingent in attack, reuniting him with fellow countrymen Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé at Trigoria. Both Soulé and Castro were excluded from Argentina's recent World Cup squad despite being on Scaloni's preliminary list, and the pair have trained together this summer under the same fitness coach, Guido Viggiano. While Castro is not the wide forward Gasperini specifically requested, he would serve as a valuable addition, particularly as a potential understudy to Donyell Malen given that Artem Dovbyk is poised to leave the club.

Roma played out a goalless draw against Cannes at the Pierre De Coubertin stadium in France in their third pre-season friendly. Gian Piero Gasperini's side continued their warm-up campaign ahead of departing for a training camp in Wales. The match saw Roma face Les Dragones Rouge in what was billed as a family fixture between the two clubs. The friendly forms part of Roma's preparation schedule as they build match fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the new season. The Giallorossi have been conducting an extended pre-season tour and are scheduled to move on from France to Wales for their next phase of preparations. During the match, Gianluca Mancini was involved in a collision and went to ground, though the article provides no further detail on the incident or any subsequent injury concern.

Roma face Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin, with kick-off at 17:30. The match represents the club's third summer test following earlier fixtures against Roma's Primavera and Trastevere during their pre-season camp. Gasperini names Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen in attack, deployed in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The midfield features Devyne Rensch and Wesley at full-back, with Bryan Cristante and a player listed as Bah in central midfield. The fixture will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via smartphone, PC or tablet through the app or the official website. Roma's pre-season schedule continues as Gasperini prepares the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Roma played Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Pierre-de-Coubertin in France, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation. The starting XI included Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Bah and Wesley across midfield; and Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen up front. The match marked Roma's third pre-season outing following two 6–0 victories against Trastevere and Primavera. Gasperini continues working with limited squad depth as the club awaits new arrivals in the transfer window. Malen had several chances early on, including a semi-overhead attempt that the Cannes keeper saved and a missed finish after good play from Dybala down the left. Wesley received a yellow card for a foul near the edge of Cannes's penalty area. Cannes, owned by the Friedkin family who control AS Roma, tested Svilar with a header that went over the bar. Mancini had a moment of concern during the cooling break when he fell to the ground after a challenge but recovered and continued playing. Soulé was noted as operating below his usual level, while Dybala and Malen remained the focal points of Roma's attacking play. The match served as another opportunity for players to build match fitness ahead of the competitive season.