Tensions flare in Newport friendly as Dybala targeted by rough challenge; Roma squad rallies around him

Roma recovered from their Cardiff defeat with a commanding 4–1 victory over Newport County in a pre-season friendly. Gian Piero Gasperini's side impressed throughout, with Mario Hermoso opening the scoring in the first half and new arrivals Santiago Castro and Koulierakis both netting their first goals in giallorosso colours. Matías Soulé added the fourth to complete the rout. CEO John Galantic and Ryan Friedkin attended the match at the stadium. Hermoso featured prominently, winning a penalty, scoring, and providing an assist. He praised the team's adaptation and mentality under Gasperini, emphasising the positive impact of the new signings and the squad's unity. On the transfer front, Roma's recruitment drive continues across multiple fronts. Salah‑Eddine rejected a move to Olympiacos despite an agreement between the clubs. The focus shifts to left-back targets, with ongoing dialogue with Torino over Alessio Cacciamani—Roma are considering raising their offer. A €17 million proposal has been submitted to Atlético Madrid for Nahuel Molina, with talks described as open but difficult. Separately, negotiations with Feyenoord over Read remain active; Roma have agreement with the player but not yet with the Dutch club, who await potential rival bids from Nottingham Forest.

Paulo Dybala sustained a knee injury during Roma's match against Newport after a challenge from Evans. The forward left the pitch requiring ice treatment on his knee. The incident occurred during what proved to be a dominant Roma performance. The match saw strong contributions from other squad members, with Hermoso delivering a notable display and Castro opening his account. Koulierakis marked his debut with a goal as Roma secured a commanding 4–1 victory. Dybala's injury adds to Roma's injury concerns as the squad prepares for the upcoming season. Hermoso outlined the team's readiness for the challenge ahead, stating: "I do what Gasp asks me to do. We are waiting for new reinforcements." Meanwhile, the transfer window remains active, with speculation surrounding potential additions to strengthen the squad.

Roma secured a 4–0 victory over Newport in a pre-season friendly, bouncing back after a previous defeat to Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the match to experiment with new tactical setups, including deploying Mario Hermoso in midfield—a move that proved effective, with the Spanish defender scoring one goal and providing an assist. Paulo Dybala featured prominently during the club's pre-season preparations, though he was relatively quiet in this particular fixture until sustaining a painful challenge from an opponent. The incident sparked a brief altercation on the pitch. Dybala left the field at full-time with ice on his knee as a precautionary measure following the knock, with no immediate alarm raised about the injury. However, this marks a second match in succession in which Dybala has been targeted aggressively by the opposing defence—a concern given his history with injuries. Roma face Brighton on Saturday.

Paulo Dybala sustained a knee injury during Roma's match against Newport after a challenge from Evans. The forward left the pitch requiring ice treatment on his knee. The incident occurred during what proved to be a dominant Roma performance. The match saw strong contributions from other squad members, with Hermoso delivering a notable display and Castro opening his account. Koulierakis marked his debut with a goal as Roma secured a commanding 4–1 victory. Dybala's injury adds to Roma's injury concerns as the squad prepares for the upcoming season. Hermoso outlined the team's readiness for the challenge ahead, stating: "I do what Gasp asks me to do. We are waiting for new reinforcements." Meanwhile, the transfer window remains active, with speculation surrounding potential additions to strengthen the squad.

Roma secured a 4–0 victory over Newport in a pre-season friendly, bouncing back after a previous defeat to Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the match to experiment with new tactical setups, including deploying Mario Hermoso in midfield—a move that proved effective, with the Spanish defender scoring one goal and providing an assist. Paulo Dybala featured prominently during the club's pre-season preparations, though he was relatively quiet in this particular fixture until sustaining a painful challenge from an opponent. The incident sparked a brief altercation on the pitch. Dybala left the field at full-time with ice on his knee as a precautionary measure following the knock, with no immediate alarm raised about the injury. However, this marks a second match in succession in which Dybala has been targeted aggressively by the opposing defence—a concern given his history with injuries. Roma face Brighton on Saturday.

Roma defeated Newport County 4–1 in a friendly in Wales on 4 August, bouncing back after a poor display against Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini deployed Mario Hermoso in an unusual central midfield position, a tactical gambit that paid immediate dividends. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 37th minute following an assist from Santiago Castro and an intelligent flick by Bryan Cristante. In the second half, Castro converted a penalty to make it 2–0 in the 54th minute, before Konstantinos Koulierakis headed in from a Paulo Dybala corner in the 59th to extend Roma's lead. Matías Soulé added a fourth in the 81st minute after being set up by Hermoso; Newport pulled one back through Cameron's header in the 85th. Koulierakis, making his Roma debut, earned praise for his physical presence and defensive anticipation, characteristics reminiscent of his predecessor. Hermoso was named the standout performer, credited with both a goal and the assist for Soulé's finish. Castro, partnering with fellow Argentine Dybala in attack, impressed Gasperini with his link-up play and movement. The friendly served as valuable preparation ahead of Roma's next fixture against Brighton on 8 August.

Roma defeated Newport County 4–1 in a friendly in Wales on 4 August, bouncing back after a poor display against Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini deployed Mario Hermoso in an unusual central midfield position, a tactical gambit that paid immediate dividends. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 37th minute following an assist from Santiago Castro and an intelligent flick by Bryan Cristante. In the second half, Castro converted a penalty to make it 2–0 in the 54th minute, before Konstantinos Koulierakis headed in from a Paulo Dybala corner in the 59th to extend Roma's lead. Matías Soulé added a fourth in the 81st minute after being set up by Hermoso; Newport pulled one back through Cameron's header in the 85th. Koulierakis, making his Roma debut, earned praise for his physical presence and defensive anticipation, characteristics reminiscent of his predecessor. Hermoso was named the standout performer, credited with both a goal and the assist for Soulé's finish. Castro, partnering with fellow Argentine Dybala in attack, impressed Gasperini with his link-up play and movement. The friendly served as valuable preparation ahead of Roma's next fixture against Brighton on 8 August.

Mario Hermoso put Roma ahead in the 38th minute during their second pre-season friendly in Wales against Newport County at Rodney Parade. Bryan Cristante recovered possession to launch the move, then found Hermoso with the help of a deflection off Castro, with the Spanish defender finishing from close range to settle the opening period at 1–0. Gasperini's side began slowly but grew into the match. Mile Svilar made a vital save in the 14th minute to deny Doidge after the Newport forward was left unmarked, while Paulo Dybala and Castro posed occasional threats in attack. Newport threatened early through Biggins, whose long-range effort struck the crossbar in the 4th minute, but Roma's defence gradually tightened. The friendly served as a fitness-building exercise during the Wales training camp. Donyell Malen was absent through fever. Gasperini made a tactical adjustment in the 36th minute, switching Wesley to the right flank and Devyne Rensch to the left. Jenkins received a booking for Newport in the 40th minute. The match was officiated by Martin, with Tweson-Morris and Hooper as assistants.

Roma bounced back from defeat to Cardiff with a 4–1 victory over Newport County on 4 August, a League Two side, in their second pre-season friendly. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring with a well-timed insertion in the 37th minute, then won a penalty in the second half which Castro converted from the spot in the 53rd minute for his first goal in giallorosso. Nikolaos Koulierakis added a third with a header from a corner in the 59th minute on his competitive debut, before Matías Soulé's precise left-footed finish made it 4–0 in the 81st minute, assisted by Hermoso again. Cameron's goal in the 85th minute provided Newport's only reply. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–1–2 formation with Hermoso deployed unexpectedly in midfield, an experiment the manager described through his subsequent tactical adjustments as worthwhile. Neil El Aynaoui returned to the lineup after recent absence, operating on the left flank alongside Wesley, Bryan Cristante, and Rensch. The match demonstrated squad depth and cohesion: after Dybala was fouled, the entire group rallied around him in support. Young players Lulli and Reale received minutes late on as substitutes. The fixture served as a tactical study during the Welsh leg of Roma's pre-season camp. Roma next face Brighton on Saturday, 10 August, in the most significant test of this opening phase of preparation.