Roma beaten 4–1 by Cardiff in pre-season; Gasperini awaits market activity

Cardiff City defeated AS Roma 4-1 in a pre-season friendly, with manager Brian Barry-Murphy expressing satisfaction with the result and the quality of the test provided by Gasperini's side. Barry-Murphy said in the post-match press conference: "It was an excellent test for us. We wanted this match precisely because of the opponent, and it was as competitive as we expected, so it was truly useful for us. We feel we have improved throughout the entire pre-season. Obviously we still have a long way to go and much to improve, but I think the intensity of the match was exactly what we needed to grow and improve physically, and it worked. You always want something more, but we are aware of how little we have played and I understand that we must be patient with the players as they adapt physically to our style of play." The fixture served as a significant pre-season workout for Roma as they prepare for the 2026-27 campaign. Cardiff's comprehensive victory underlined the calibre of opponent Gasperini's squad faced during their summer preparation, with Barry-Murphy targeting the encounter specifically for its competitive value ahead of the new season.

Roma suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in their first pre-season friendly of the summer, with Paulo Dybala opening the scoring from a Matías Soulé assist before missing a penalty. Gianluca Castro made his debut, starting up front and battling throughout before receiving a yellow card late on; defender Bah was also forced off with injury. Gasperini analysed the performance in his post-match comments: "Distratti dietro nel primo tempo, abbiamo preso gol su rimpalli. Qualcosa di buono l'abbiamo fatto, ma se sei poco attento diventa tutto più difficile." The coach reiterated that the squad requires completion, stating: "Il mercato è partito tardi, sono andati via diversi giocatori e servono innesti per rendere la squadra davvero competitiva." Gasperini confirmed his targets—a defender, a winger, and two forwards—insisting they are achievable objectives. Castro is viewed as an excellent acquisition who can rotate with Donyell Malen and elevate the squad's level. On the transfer front, Greek defender Konstantinos Koulierakis landed at Ciampino airport and completed his move from Wolfsburg on a permanent basis for approximately €16.5 million plus bonuses and a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Born in 2004, Koulierakis becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The club is also pursuing Franco Mastantuono, a 2007-born Madrid youth prospect, though Real's preference for a loan or loan with option has not convinced Roma; Fiorentina are advancing in those talks. Negotiations for Feyenoord winger Read continue, with Roma offering €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons.

Roma suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in their opening pre-season fixture in Wales on 1 August, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side struggling in the first test of their summer training camp. The result came on a day when the club welcomed defender Konstantinos Koulierakis to Trigoria in the morning, marking the second signing of the summer transfer window, though the deal remains to be officially confirmed. The friendly loss is a setback in Roma's preparation for the 2026–27 season. Gasperini addressed the performance and transfer activity with media after the match, though his specific comments are not detailed here. The arrival of Koulierakis signals the club's continued work in the transfer market as they reshape the squad ahead of the coming campaign. The Cardiff defeat underlines the work still required before Roma's competitive fixtures begin later in the summer.

Roma suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in their first pre-season friendly of the summer, with Paulo Dybala opening the scoring from a Matías Soulé assist before missing a penalty. Gianluca Castro made his debut, starting up front and battling throughout before receiving a yellow card late on; defender Bah was also forced off with injury. Gasperini analysed the performance in his post-match comments: "Distratti dietro nel primo tempo, abbiamo preso gol su rimpalli. Qualcosa di buono l'abbiamo fatto, ma se sei poco attento diventa tutto più difficile." The coach reiterated that the squad requires completion, stating: "Il mercato è partito tardi, sono andati via diversi giocatori e servono innesti per rendere la squadra davvero competitiva." Gasperini confirmed his targets—a defender, a winger, and two forwards—insisting they are achievable objectives. Castro is viewed as an excellent acquisition who can rotate with Donyell Malen and elevate the squad's level. On the transfer front, Greek defender Konstantinos Koulierakis landed at Ciampino airport and completed his move from Wolfsburg on a permanent basis for approximately €16.5 million plus bonuses and a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Born in 2004, Koulierakis becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The club is also pursuing Franco Mastantuono, a 2007-born Madrid youth prospect, though Real's preference for a loan or loan with option has not convinced Roma; Fiorentina are advancing in those talks. Negotiations for Feyenoord winger Read continue, with Roma offering €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons.

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.

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.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has called for immediate squad additions following Roma's 4-1 loss to Cardiff. Gasperini said: "We must absolutely complete the squad as soon as possible" and revealed he has requested four signings. He emphasised the need for depth across all positions, stating: "You must have two players per role, otherwise you pay for it in the Champions League." Gasperini identified defensive focus as a particular concern in the Cardiff match, noting the team was "too distracted in defence" during the defeat. The coach's call for reinforcements underscores Roma's early-season struggles and highlights gaps in the squad that could prove costly in European competition. Paulo Dybala scored in the match, but tensions also emerged among players, with Dybala and Matías Soulé involved in a discussion with Bryan Cristante during the game. The result marks a difficult start to the campaign, and Gasperini's explicit demand for four new arrivals signals the club's need to act swiftly in the transfer market to bolster depth and address defensive vulnerabilities before the season's demands intensify.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in what appears to be a pre-season fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini's reaction to the hosts' first goal was notably frustrated, though he remained composed as further goals followed. Paulo Dybala scored for Roma, but the performance was marked by defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion. The defeat highlighted areas of concern for Roma ahead of the new season. Tensions emerged on the pitch during the match, with Dybala and Matías Soulé involved in a discussion with Bryan Cristante. Gasperini addressed the squad's preparation afterwards, remarking on their lack of focus and emphasizing the need to complete the squad roster as soon as possible. The result comes as Roma continue their pre-season preparations and work on the transfer market. Evan Ferguson made his debut for the club during the match, while other transfer activity continues to develop, with reported interest in Read and ongoing discussions about Soulé's future.