Roma Unveil Castro: How Gasperini Plans to Use the 'Torito' Alongside Malen

Roma travelled to Wales on Thursday afternoon to begin the second phase of their pre-season preparation, based at the Vale Resort in Hensol until 8 August. The squad departed Rome's Fiumicino airport with a one-hour flight delay but arrived in Cardiff in the evening. Gian Piero Gasperini named seven young players for the camp: defenders Mannini, Nardin, Reale and Lulli, midfielders Panico and Bah, and forward Charubini. Midfielder Niccolò Pisilli, recovering from a soleus injury, also travelled with the group and will continue his rehabilitation. Director D'Amico did not travel, and defender Koulierakis will join after completing medical tests in Rome. Roma will conduct double training sessions and friendlies throughout the camp to assess their preparation. The first test comes at 16:00 Italian time today against Cardiff at Cardiff City Stadium. Gasperini is intent on building continuity from pre-season work at Trigoria and has no time to waste in constructing a strong season. The squad remains awaiting additional reinforcements from the transfer market.

Gian Piero Gasperini has midfield reinforcements available for Roma's friendly match against Cardiff in Wales. Neil El Aynaoui has concluded his extended post-tournament break and will feature in the test against Cardiff this afternoon, making a brief return to the squad after attending the World Cup as a key player for Morocco. His performances at the tournament attracted interest from several European clubs, most notably Aston Villa under Emery, though the club has not yet made a formal approach. El Aynaoui struggled initially to win Gasperini's confidence last season but emerged as a decisive player in Roma's final Champions League push, contributing a goal, an assist, and a notable derby performance deputising for the injured Manu Koné. His availability eases pressure on midfield depth ahead of the competitive campaign. Niccolò Pisilli is also returning but will not play in Wales; he is recovering from a first-degree muscle-fascia injury to the soleus of his left leg sustained more than a week ago, which forced him to miss matches against Trastevere and Cannes. He travelled with the squad and is expected to rejoin full training by the middle of next week, with complete availability to follow. Manu Koné remains absent, currently on holiday in Miami; Manchester United continues to monitor his situation and maintains contact with his representatives, though has not yet submitted an official offer.

Real Madrid have outlined their conditions for Franco Mastantuono's departure, with the Argentine forward out of favour at the club. The Spanish giants will allow him to leave on a straight loan or permanent transfer with a buy-back clause — a structure similar to the Nico Paz deal — to retain control of the player. Roma have emerged as suitors but are reluctant to accept Madrid's formula. The Giallorossi would prefer to take Mastantuono on loan with at least a purchase option, a requirement that has left them less engaged than Serie A rivals Fiorentina in the race for his signature. Real Madrid continue to prioritise Endrick as their primary target, though his arrival depends on Matías Soulé's departure from the club.

Roma will take on Cardiff City, a Welsh Football League Championship side, in their next fixture as they build momentum ahead of their Serie A campaign. Following their comeback win against Cannes, the Giallorossi are keen to maintain their form and keep supporters engaged. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala are expected to feature and provide attacking threat for the club. The friendly represents an opportunity for Roma to continue preparations for the top-flight season in the best possible shape. The club will aim to avoid disappointment and carry positive results into their league opener. Fans can watch the match on either free-to-air television or via DAZN, with full team news and kickoff details available for planning.

Roma arrived in Wales for their pre-season training camp on Tuesday, though roughly an hour behind schedule after switching flights due to an operational issue. The squad will be based at Vale Resort in Hensol and face Cardiff City in their opening friendly at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday at 16:00 local time (15:00 UK time). No morning training session is scheduled before the match. Santiago Castro, who has completed initial work at Trigoria, is primed to feature after his recent arrival, with Donyell Malen set to start as the sole new signing present. Matteo Koulierakis has not yet arrived for his medical examination; he is expected in the capital on Wednesday before joining the squad in Wales. Niccolò Pisilli has been recalled to the group as he continues recovery from a left soleus muscle injury but will not play. Robinio Vaz has fully recovered from injury and is available, while Neil El Aynaoui has returned after extended leave following World Cup duties. Approximately 10,000 tickets have been sold for the fixture. Shuttle bus services will operate every 15 minutes on route 95 between Cardiff city centre and the stadium from Wood Street (stop JB), beginning two hours before kickoff and running until the crowd has dispersed. Gates open at 13:30—90 minutes before the 15:00 local start. Around 100 Roma supporters are expected to attend.

Roma have announced the squad selected by Gian Piero Gasperini for the second phase of pre-season, with the team departing for Wales in the afternoon. The travelling group includes defenders Rensch, Ndicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Mannini, Nardin, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Panico and Bah; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Cherubini and Vaz. The Wales camp marks a significant checkpoint in Roma's preparation for the new season under Gasperini's management. The head coach has selected a mixed squad that blends established first-team players with younger prospects, reflecting the club's approach to squad development during the off-season training schedule. The three-week pre-season programme continues to build fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of Serie A's return.

Roma are actively negotiating to sign Givairo Read as director Tony D'Amico works across multiple transfer fronts with the season starting in just over three weeks. The Giallorossi are in competition with Nottingham Forest for Read, after reports emerged that the English club had stepped back from an auction-style bidding war being fuelled by Feyenoord. Earlier, D'Amico completed the signing of Koulierakis from Wolfsburg for 16 million euros plus 1.5 million in bonuses and 20 per cent of future sale proceeds. Gasperini has requested at least four reinforcements: two attacking wingers and two defensive full-backs, though a potential departure of Koné would necessitate a direct replacement of equal standing. Nusa remains the primary left-wing target, with discussions ongoing over whether the Norwegian arrival would displace Lorenzo Pellegrini in the squad hierarchy. At centre-forward, Roma have established they can secure both Endrick and Mastantuono following discussions in Madrid on Wednesday. The Brazilian prospect, who would rotate with Paulo Dybala in Gasperini's preferred pairing system, holds the greater appeal. The club is prepared to accelerate a move for Endrick after 15 August, provided Real Madrid agrees to a deal beyond a straight loan, with Matías Soulé potentially playing a balancing role in the squad's finances and formation decisions.

Roma will take on Cardiff City, a Welsh Football League Championship side, in their next fixture as they build momentum ahead of their Serie A campaign. Following their comeback win against Cannes, the Giallorossi are keen to maintain their form and keep supporters engaged. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala are expected to feature and provide attacking threat for the club. The friendly represents an opportunity for Roma to continue preparations for the top-flight season in the best possible shape. The club will aim to avoid disappointment and carry positive results into their league opener. Fans can watch the match on either free-to-air television or via DAZN, with full team news and kickoff details available for planning.

Roma have announced the squad selected by Gian Piero Gasperini for the second phase of pre-season, with the team departing for Wales in the afternoon. The travelling group includes defenders Rensch, Ndicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Mannini, Nardin, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Panico and Bah; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Cherubini and Vaz. The Wales camp marks a significant checkpoint in Roma's preparation for the new season under Gasperini's management. The head coach has selected a mixed squad that blends established first-team players with younger prospects, reflecting the club's approach to squad development during the off-season training schedule. The three-week pre-season programme continues to build fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of Serie A's return.