Roma lose 4-1 to Cardiff; Gasperini stresses need to strengthen squad; Koulierakis arrives in Rome

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma on a permanent transfer from Wolfsburg. The 2003-born defender arrived at Ciampino on 1 August, completed medical examinations and signed his contract to become an official Roma player. He has chosen the number 33 shirt. Koulierakis arrives with senior experience across two prominent European clubs. He previously played for PAOK before his spell in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. The Greece international made his senior debut aged 18 and has earned 22 caps for his national team to date. The deal concludes Roma's acquisition of the defender on permanent terms.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma from Wolfsburg on a permanent transfer. The Greek defender, born in 2003, arrived at Ciampino and the club confirmed the acquisition on 1 August 2026. He is available immediately for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of the 2026–27 season and has selected shirt number 33. Koulierakis brings experience from PAOK and Wolfsburg to Roma's defence. He made his Greece senior debut at 18 and has earned 22 caps for the national team. The signing bolsters Gasperini's squad depth in defence as the club prepares for the new campaign. AS Roma's official statement read: "The AS Roma is pleased to announce the arrival of Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg. The operation is concluded with a permanent acquisition. The defender, class of 2003, has worn the shirts of PAOK and Wolfsburg; he made his debut at 18 in the Greek national team, with which he has recorded 22 appearances so far."

Konstantinos Koulierakis has completed his move to Roma from Wolfsburg. The Greek defender arrived at Ciampino airport around midday on 1 August, was greeted by supporters, and underwent medical tests before the club confirmed the signing in the evening. Roma have acquired him on a permanent basis for 18 million euros plus a percentage on resale. Koulierakis, born in 2003, previously played for PAOK and Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. He made his Greece debut at 18 and has earned 22 senior international caps. He will wear number 33 at Roma. The club released a statement: "Welcome to Roma, Konstantinos!" The defender will not remain in the capital immediately. On the morning of 2 August, Koulierakis will travel to Wales to rejoin the squad for their training camp.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala scoring from a Matías Soulé assist in what Gasperini described as an August match without alarm. The team showed signs of rustiness after heavy training loads, conceding early in the first half and struggling defensively. Tensions flared late in the match: Castro was fouled without a whistle as Cardiff broke away to score; Soulé remonstrated with the referee, Bryan Cristante attempted to calm matters, but Dybala objected and became embroiled in heated words with the midfielder, leading to a physical exchange. Soulé was subsequently substituted. The squad also suffered a setback with Bah sustaining a right-knee distortion injury; he is due for medical scans on 2 August. Castro made a subdued debut, receiving tactical instruction from match analyst Mauro Fumagalli during the warm-up. Gasperini was pragmatic in his assessment, noting the side remains competitive but lacks full depth. The coach said: "We've conceded from rebounds. We did good things going forward, but it's clear that if you're that careless and unfit, as inattentive defensively as we were in the first half, it becomes difficult." With Koulierakis arriving on 2 August to strengthen the defence, Roma's transfer focus now shifts to midfield and attack. Gasperini explicitly stated the requirement: "Whoever plays in the cups must have at least two players per position—it's essential; those without it pay heavily." Roma has tabled a €25 million offer to Feyenoord and awaits a response regarding Read, expected on 2 August. Endrick is also under consideration for the wing position.

Tension flared during Roma's friendly match in Wales when Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante clashed on the pitch. The incident began with protests from Matías Soulé, followed by Cristante's intervention—a move that drew Dybala's displeasure. The clash prompted a heated exchange between Dybala and Cristante as nerves frayed on the field. The friendly in Cardiff served as an early test for Gian Piero Gasperini's side ahead of the new season. Squad unity and composure during pre-season fixtures are typically viewed as important markers for Roma's preparation. Dybala's involvement in the confrontation underscores the intensity the players are bringing to their summer preparations. The match also saw Soulé involved in the broader friction, suggesting multiple players were engaged in the tensions that emerged during the encounter.

Roma collapsed in their first friendly match in Wales, losing 4–1 to Cardiff. Ashford scored twice for the hosts, with goals also coming from Salech and Tanner. Paulo Dybala was Roma's sole bright spot, missing a penalty but pulling one back to make it 3–1, though the goal proved only a consolation. The defence struggled throughout, with Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Devyne Rensch among the poorest performers, while debutant Castro misfired in attack. The squad trained this morning and appeared fatigued, carrying heavy workloads on their legs—a normal state at this stage of pre-season preparation. Young player Bah suffered a knee injury during the match, sustaining a right knee distortion; instrumental examinations will determine the full extent of the problem. Roma's next friendly comes on Tuesday against Newport at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italian time). The squad will train in the afternoon on Tuesday, with gym work scheduled for the morning.

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the media after Roma's friendly against Cardiff City, acknowledging defensive frailties in the opening period but praising the team's attacking moments. The head coach stressed that the transfer window has only just begun following the World Cup and indicated he expects additions before the season starts. Gasperini hailed Castro as an excellent acquisition, describing him as a natural centre-forward who can operate alongside Malen. "Castro is a 2004 who wanted to come to Roma at all costs—it will be a fine signing," he said. He outlined the squad's needs: "Compared to last season's squad we need a defender, a winger and two forwards. Then everything can change: if someone leaves, they must be replaced." Gasperini stressed that competing in cup competitions requires depth: "When you play Champions League at a certain level, you need a complete, competitive squad with enough players to rotate without losing quality." With three midfielders currently sidelined and only five defenders available, Gasperini flagged the urgency of recruitment. He confirmed that Koulierakis will arrive to bolster the defence, noting that teams competing in European football must have at least two players per position. The coach added the squad is now in its third week of pre-season training and that he hopes completeness arrives "as quickly as possible."

Roma lost 4–1 to Cardiff City in a summer friendly at the club's Welsh training camp, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledging defensive lapses in the first half as the primary cause. Speaking after the match, Gasperini said the team was "still in difficulty on someone, especially in the first half" and that defensive inattention made it harder to build momentum, despite some positive attacking play. Gasperini defended Roma's transfer strategy, stating his summer targets were straightforward: "A defender, a winger and two forwards—that doesn't seem like a difficult or insurmountable objective to me." He confirmed Castro, a 2004-born striker, as an excellent acquisition who will improve the squad, and outlined the possibility of Castro and Donyell Malen playing together in matches where the fixture schedule demands squad rotation. He also noted that a defensive reinforcement is imminent to expand Roma's centre-back options beyond the current five available players. On Matías Soulé, Gasperini reported the winger is improving in fitness, having featured at trequartista and on the left flank during the Cardiff fixture. The coach stressed that competing at Champions League level requires having two players available for every position, particularly given the intensity of a full European schedule.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat in their opening pre-season friendly against Cardiff in Wales, a result Gasperini described as heavier than the performance itself suggested. The head coach attributed the loss to defensive lapses and lapses in concentration, particularly in the first half, where Roma conceded from loose play and poor positioning. Gasperini told reporters: "We were still struggling, especially at the back in the first half—we conceded from loose balls. Then we did good things going forward, but it's clear that if you're that careless and not in condition, not sharp in defence as we were in the first half, it becomes difficult. Then maybe you miss penalties and goals." Gasperini called for urgent completion of Roma's squad, highlighting departures over the summer that have left the team short. He explained: "The market has been unusual because of the World Cup—it basically started now. Of course, from here on I expect something to happen. Several players have left and the squad absolutely needs completing—anyone can see that. Some players need to arrive to make the squad competitive. We have three midfielders out at the moment, someone just arrived, it's a bit disjointed. By August this can happen, but we hope to complete ourselves as quickly as possible because this is already the third week finished." Gasperini praised Castro as an excellent acquisition and a player who improves the squad, noting the 2004-born striker wanted to join Roma at all costs. On partnership options, he confirmed Castro and Malen can play together but stressed the need for squad depth to manage fixture congestion. He listed priority needs as one defender, one winger, and two attackers compared to last season's squad, and confirmed Koulierakis would arrive to complete the defence. On Matías Soulé, Gasperini said: "He did well, he's already better, he played as a trequartista too."