Roma's injury crisis: the numbers behind a season ravaged by absences

Roma travel to Stade Pierre de Coubertin tomorrow to face Cannes in a friendly match. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the contest, with injuries ruling out Pisilli and Vaz, while Cherubini is unavailable due to fever. The group reflects a mix of first-team regulars and academy prospects. In defence, Gasperini has called up Rensch, Angelino, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Nardin, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield contingent comprises Cristante, Panico, Di Nunzio, Giammattei and Bah, while the attacking options are Dovbyk, Malen, Soulé, Dybala and Arena. The friendly provides an opportunity for Gasperini's side to build match sharpness and continue preparations for the season ahead. The absence of Pisilli and Vaz through injury underlines the need for squad rotation, though both players will be assessed ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his Roma squad for tomorrow's friendly against Cannes, scheduled for 17:30 and available on Dazn. Wesley is included in the travelling party after returning from injury and being available to the coach for some time. Luigi Cherubini will miss the trip due to fever and has been ruled out of the squad list. Cherubini is Roma's only late absentee, ruled out by a febrile illness. The player has no muscular or traumatic injury and will remain at Trigoria to recover, with the expectation he will be available again in the coming days.

Roma's injury crisis deepened ahead of Sunday's friendly against Cannes after Niccolò Pisilli joined Robinio Vaz on the sidelines. Pisilli suffered a first-degree muscle-fascia lesion to his left soleus, a calf problem that will sideline him for approximately two weeks as he begins treatment. With the summer transfer window still bare of signings, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini suddenly finds himself short of midfield options for the final days of pre-season training at Trigoria. Bryan Cristante will lead the midfield against Cannes on Sunday, a familiar but occasionally contentious choice, partnered by young player Bah. The centre of the pitch has become Roma's immediate concern as injuries mount across the squad. On a brighter note, Matías Soulé returned to full training after missing the Trastevere fixture due to workload management. The forward's return provides some relief as Gasperini prepares for the weekend friendly in what remains an unsettled pre-season period for the club.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Roma are pursuing a significant revamp of their defensive and attacking flanks following Santiago Castro's arrival. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda remains the priority target for the right-back position, with the Portuguese club valuing the Spanish defender at approximately €15 million. Roma are intensifying diplomatic contact to negotiate that fee downwards. Wesley is the first-choice right-back, with Devyne Rensch providing cover, though the club believes additional quality additions are necessary. Rafik Belghali remains a backup option but has not entirely convinced the coaching staff due to fitness concerns. On the left flank, a major restructure is underway. Anass Salah-Eddine is close to departing after failing to fit Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements, with PSV Eindhoven preparing a return deal following his loan spell there last season. The player had preferred a Premier League move, but PSV are advancing towards completing the transfer. Angeliño's position is also uncertain. The Spanish defender has not fully convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma will consider offers for him. Deportivo La Coruña have registered interest, though no formal bids have yet reached the club.

Radio commentators debate Roma's summer transfer strategy following the arrival of striker Castro. Daniele Cecchetti told Radio Manà Manà that Castro is capable of starting matches rather than serving as a backup to Donyell Malen, drawing a parallel to early scepticism over Radja Nainggolan's signing before he became central to Roma's midfield. Cecchetti said: "Castro? For me he's not a Malen backup, I think he'll play. I remember the same criticism the club faced for buying Nainggolan, then in the end he was a cornerstone of that midfield. We'll see, maybe he'll play with Malen, or perhaps in a deeper role." Other analysts highlighted Roma's pressing needs on the flanks. One commentator noted that Roma must replace both Zeki Çelik and Angeliño at fullback, and called for a left-sided attacking midfielder before the squad departs for Wales. Roberto Pruzzo observed that Castro has different characteristics to those of a straightforward left-winger option, and compared the midfielder's profile to Alejandro Muriel. The recruitment focus remains on completing the squad before Friday, with reports of behind-the-scenes work to secure an outside attacker. Roma's attacking depth now includes Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Castro, and Donyell Malen, though one analyst questioned whether a further striker would be pursued if Soulé does not depart.

Mile Svilar has reaffirmed his commitment to AS Roma, stating he has no interest in a move to Juventus despite reported interest from the Serie A champions following his performance in a friendly against Cannes. The goalkeeper's declaration comes as Roma awaits official confirmation of Santiago Castro, the club's first summer signing. Artem Dovbyk has departed for Bologna, marking another change in Roma's forward line as the club reshapes its squad during the transfer window. Svilar's public stance underscores Roma's defensive strength and his intention to remain at the Giallorossi despite external interest from rival clubs. Elsewhere, Roma's women's team announced new signings, while the Italian national team continues its rebuild under Mancini and Ranieri.

Artem Dovbyk is undergoing medical examinations at Isokinetic clinic ahead of his move to Bologna. The Ukrainian striker will sign a contract with the Rossoblu after completing his medical checks at the clinic, before heading to Bologna's headquarters to finalize the deal. The transfer unblocks Roma's summer activity, with Nicolás Castro arriving at Trigoria as part of the axis between the two clubs. Dovbyk moves in the opposite direction to join Domenico Tedesco's side. The deal is structured as a loan with a right of redemption, worth a combined total of 18 million euros.

Roma have completed the Santiago Castro signing and will resume their search for a quick attacker, but Gabriel Martinelli and Marcus Rashford remain unrealistic targets despite recent speculation. The Giallorossi will spend €35M including add-ons on Castro. Artem Dovbyk is leaving on loan to Bologna with a €17M option to buy, where he will work with coach Giovanni Tedesco to revive his career. Both Martinelli and Rashford earn around €11M gross annually, significantly above Roma's top earners, a salary barrier that previously blocked Mason Greenwood's move to the Italian capital. Antonio Nusa currently leads Roma's shortlist, though RB Leipzig's advanced talks to sell Yan Diomande to Real Madrid could negatively impact those plans. Rashford's name arose during separate negotiations with Manchester United regarding midfielder Manu Koné, who spent a productive loan at Barcelona where he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances. Manchester United have shortlisted Koné but are not aggressively pursuing him at present. Roma's summer spending on a striker rather than a winger marks a tactical shift, with both Castro and Donyell Malen offering mobility. The club's interest in another forward may depend on whether Matías Soulé remains in the squad.

Artem Dovbyk's stint at Roma has ended with the Ukrainian forward moving to Bologna on loan as part of the deal that brings Castro to the capital. Dovbyk departs after scoring 20 goals in 63 appearances, leaving a sense of what might have been following a transfer that cost the club 41 million euros in the summer of 2024. Dovbyk's first season proved reasonably productive despite Roma's turbulent campaign. He scored his opening goal on 15 September at Marassi under Daniele De Rossi, and added 17 goals in 45 appearances during 2024–25, with crucial strikes against Como, Cagliari, Lecce, and Fiorentina helping Roma climb to fifth place under Claudio Ranieri. However, the 29-year-old, fresh from a 24-goal season at Girona where he won the Pichichi, never truly settled in the capital. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, competition from loan signing Evan Ferguson intensified, and Dovbyk's impact diminished. He missed two penalties against Viktoria Plzen, suffered a thigh strain, then endured a three-month layoff from a left thigh tendon injury. His final appearance came on 17 May in the derby, a two-minute cameo as substitute for Paulo Dybala. The disconnect between the forward and the Roma fanbase was evident throughout. While individual performances warranted optimism at moments, Dovbyk struggled to operate effectively with teammates and lacked conviction in physical challenges. The separation reflects mutual recognition that the substantial investment failed to yield the expected returns.

Santiago Castro has arrived as Roma's first summer signing, reportedly costing around 35 million euros. The Argentine striker was acquired to challenge Donyell Malen for the centre-forward role, but his impact is expected to extend far beyond that of a mere substitute. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has repeatedly shown his need for genuine attacking depth, with last season exposing the toll on Malen of playing nearly every match without adequate relief. Robinio Vaz failed to convince as an alternative, while Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk were hampered by injury. Castro's profile—goal-scoring instinct, ability to attack space, ball retention, and defensive work-rate—fits Gasperini's demands perfectly. Last season at Bologna, he committed more fouls than any teammate, a marker of his combative nature. He was also second in the squad for duels won. Rather than operate solely as a backup, Castro can start alongside Malen in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Matías Soulé or Paulo Dybala deployed behind the two strikers. This shape, a Gasperini favourite from his Atalanta years, allows Castro's defensive intensity to free Malen for ball-carrying and finishing. Gasperini seldom deploys attackers on the wing; he requires his forwards positioned as close to goal as possible. The signing signals Roma's intent to reinvigorate an attack that misfired last season.

Roma's acquisition of forward Castro for 35 million euros has drawn wide approval from the capital's radio commentators, though opinions differ on his role and the club's broader transfer strategy. Castro is widely seen as a versatile attacking option who can operate across the front line and create chances for teammates, not merely a backup to Donyell Malen. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Castro resembles Muriel: "a great player, strong. I don't think he can play 45 matches at high level, but he has quality. He can play as a centre-forward but also assist; he is an excellent signing." Nando Orsi echoed the view, calling Castro "an excellent player" who "makes others score and scores decisive goals himself." The 35-million fee raises questions about Roma's willingness to invest heavily in attacking depth while other squad positions remain exposed. Francesco Balzani noted that switching from Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson to Malen and Castro represents "a very big upgrade as centre-forwards," adding that head coach Gasperini rotates his strikers extensively. Balzani suggested Roma's budget for a left-winger—potentially around 50 million—remains intact, separate from the Castro outlay. Francesca Ferrazza described Castro as having "enormous potential" under Gasperini's guidance, positioned as Malen's deputy rather than an out-and-out winger. Dovbyk, who scored 18 goals in his first season, struggled physically last term and is expected to seek opportunities elsewhere.