Wesley's World Cup Dream Ends in Injury Blow

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.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

Roma's move for Atalanta forward Mateo Castro neared completion as radio commentators across Roman airwaves weighed in on the transfer and other squad developments. Castro reportedly requested Bologna allow him to leave after learning of Roma's interest, with negotiations focusing on how the deal structure would be financed. Carina told Radio Radio: "Castro ormai sia in chiusura. È contato molto l'entusiasmo del ragazzo: appena ha saputo che la Roma lo voleva, ha chiesto al Bologna di lasciarlo andare." The striker, available at 35 million euros, is viewed as a versatile attacking option who can play multiple positions and create for teammates. Pruzzo compared Castro to a Muriel-type talent, while Mattioli questioned whether the fee represented full value for a player who isn't a pure number nine. Doubts linger over veteran forward Artem Dovbyk's future at Roma. Carina assigned a 60 per cent probability to Dovbyk remaining, noting Roma had rejected a loan option and that negotiations with Bologna centred on converting conditional clauses into an obligation—an approach Bologna resisted. Orsi remarked that with Castro's arrival, "Dovbyk non mi sembra un acquisto sbagliato" but acknowledged the striker requires different tactical deployment under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's system. Refereeing controversy from a pre-season friendly drew sharp criticism. Cristofori told Radio Romanista: "Ieri il direttore di gara ha causato un danno alla Roma," condemning Wesley's expulsion as unjust for a training-level match. Giustiniani added that Angeliño remains significantly behind Gasperini's fitness demands.

Paulo Dybala was the standout performer in Roma's 3-3 draw against Cannes in a pre-season fixture. The match, played against a side freshly promoted to the French third tier, saw Roma dominate possession—recording 20 total shots to Cannes' 4—but ultimately fail to convert their superiority into victory. Wesley's red card for a second yellow at the end of the first half proved decisive in shifting the momentum. The Friedkin Group ownership was represented in the stands by Ryan, watching as his team's bright start unravelled following the sending-off. Dybala provided the creative spark throughout, weaving together moments of quality in an otherwise inconsistent Roma display. In the second half, with Roma reduced to ten men, Cannes mounted a comeback, with Julien Lopez, recently signed from Paris FC, becoming increasingly influential as the match wore on. The result underlines Roma's ongoing struggles to maintain shape and cohesion across the full ninety minutes, though Dybala's individual brilliance offered a glimmer of hope for the season ahead.