Roma Draw 3–3 with Cannes in Friendly; Dybala and Malen Shine
Match Report·26 July 2026·7h ago

Roma Draw 3–3 with Cannes in Friendly; Dybala and Malen Shine

Source: Forza Roma

Roma closed their pre-Wales training camp friendlies with a 3–3 draw against Cannes, offering Gasperini both encouraging signs and lingering doubts. Paulo Dybala starred, opening the scoring with a free-kick and adding a third goal at the end of a perfect counterattack, with Donyell Malen adding the second and striking an immediate understanding with the Argentine. Cannes mounted a second-half comeback and equalised from the penalty spot at the 95th minute when Oggad beat Pierluigi Gollini with a chip after Artem Dovbyk's unnecessary foul. Wesley's red card, issued for a second yellow that left the bench incredulous, complicated Roma's shape in midfield; even Gasperini struggled to explain the referee's decision.

Matías Soulé, not yet at full fitness, failed to impose himself, while the Dybala–Malen combination proved increasingly central to Roma's attacking play. The friendly offered useful tactical information ahead of the Cardiff match on 1 August, when serious preparation intensifies. For Dovbyk, the remaining minutes may have been his last in a Roma shirt.

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Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes in a pre-season friendly at Stade Pierre de Coubertin on France's Côte d'Azur, surrendering a three-goal lead in a match that exposed defensive vulnerabilities ahead of the team's departure for Wales on 30 July. Paulo Dybala starred, opening the scoring from a free kick and adding a second-half goal to complete a brace, while Donyell Malen scored the second to form an effective partnership with the Argentine. Cannes staged a second-half comeback, with Lopez scoring twice and Oggad converting a penalty in the 95th minute after Artem Dovbyk was penalised for a poor challenge. Wesley's dismissal in the first half—receiving a second yellow card in a decision outlets describe variously as questionable or absurd—left Roma playing with ten men and disrupted their midfield structure. Il Romanista reports that Roma are simultaneously accelerating their pursuit of Castro while preparing to move on Dovbyk, signalling a significant reshaping of the attacking department. Matías Soulé failed to impose himself while operating at less than full fitness. The friendly, played under Ryan Friedkin's watch at his Friedkin Group-owned club, offered Gasperini tactical information but fell short of providing definitive answers before competitive action resumes.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Una Roma dai due volti chiude questo mini ciclo di amichevoli prima del ritiro in Galles. Finisce 3-3 contro il Cannes. I giallorossi danno continuità ai segnali positivi delle prime uscite e regalano a Gasperini altre risposte importanti. Ma lasciano alcuni dubbi. A prendersi la scena è un Dybala…

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

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