Roma to face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in pre-season friendly

Roma suffered a 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in their opening friendly during a pre-season training camp in Wales. Approximately 600 Roma supporters attended the match, along with newly announced CEO John Galantic, who was revealed on 29 July. Galantic accompanied the squad for the fixture and will remain throughout the entire Welsh retreat, choosing to follow the group closely during this crucial phase of preparation and share the club's daily work on the training ground. Galantic's arrival completes the new management structure established by the Friedkin ownership. The American chief executive was selected to combine operational efficiency with Roma brand development, with clear operational priorities: strengthening commercial partnerships, optimising revenue streams, and providing strategic coordination during the critical phases of the new Stadio di Pietralata project. His appointment represents a significant step in the club's structural growth and aligns with the broader vision of the Texas-based ownership.

John Galantic attended Roma's match against Cardiff as the club's newly appointed CEO, marking his first outing in the role. The Friedkin Group confirmed his arrival in a statement praising his appointment: "Cittadino americano e svizzero di origini italiane, John è romanista da sempre. Ama questa città, ne comprende l'anima, conosce i suoi tifosi e sa cosa rappresenta questo Club per loro. Siamo fermamente convinti che sia la persona giusta per guidare questo Club nel suo secondo secolo di storia." Galantic, born in Boston, returns to Roma after previously serving on the board during the Pallotta era. The American-Swiss executive of Italian descent brings substantial experience in luxury and consumer goods sectors. His career includes senior roles at Procter & Gamble, where he worked in marketing and sales across Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States; GlaxoSmithKline; Coty Beauty; Chanel, where he spent 16 years; Ferrari; Bacardi Limited; and most recently the Tod's group. His appointment represents a significant structural development for the club as it enters its second century of history. The Cardiff match itself highlighted some tactical issues and fitness concerns for Roma, though the appointment of Galantic signalled an important milestone for the club off the pitch.

Italy faces a severe heat wave as August opens with record-breaking temperatures. Out of 27 cities monitored by the Health Ministry, 25 are now on maximum alert level (level 3) for Monday 3 August, indicating possible health risks for the general population, not just vulnerable groups. Only Messina and Reggio Calabria remain on yellow alert. Today the highest alert affects 19 cities including Rome, Bologna, Milan, Naples and Venice. By tomorrow that number will rise to 23 with the addition of Catania, Genoa, Palermo and Trieste. Across the peninsula, temperatures will reach exceptional levels, with Terni expected to hit 41°C as the national peak, while Ferrara, Mantova, Modena and Parma will reach 40°C. In Lazio, Rome will approach 40°C alongside Rieti, Viterbo, Frosinone and Latina. Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri called for a national plan against extreme heat, stating: "Italy, unlike other European countries, is leaving municipalities alone and has no strategy to face heat waves." The city operates 660 climate refuges and has launched a "Grand Cooling at the Cinema" initiative that has drawn thousands to air-conditioned venues. Sanification operations have begun at the EUR lake with new aerators to be installed to improve water circulation. Sardinia faces the most critical situation, with interior areas potentially reaching 44°C between Sunday and Monday, triggering major wildfire operations in the Sassarese region requiring Canadair aircraft and ground crews.

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.

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.