Wesley suffers ankle sprain in Cardiff training; Koulierakis joins squad

Wesley left Roma's training session in Cardiff on 2 August, limping away after suffering discomfort to an ankle that had troubled him the previous day. The Brazilian was unable to continue the session and had to stop early. Roma are preparing for upcoming fixtures while managing an injury concern with one of their attacking options. Wesley joined the club last summer on a five-year contract from Flamengo for €25 million plus €5 million in add-ons. His availability for the next match will be monitored closely as the squad continues pre-season work in Wales. The club also reported on other squad movements during the training camp, with Koulierakis joining the group in Cardiff and fellow players including an unnamed Dutch player recently featuring in a 74-minute appearance against Atalanta following a €28 million bid.

Muhammad Bah was stretchered off after just 26 minutes of Roma's pre-season friendly at Cardiff following a right knee injury that has raised fears of ligament damage. The 2007-born Gambian midfielder, deployed in the centre of midfield alongside Bryan Cristante, suffered a distorsive knee trauma and left the field in evident pain. Roma's medical team and coaching staff watched with concern as he was carried away. The injury carries particular weight given Bah's recent history. Two years ago, during a training retreat under former manager Daniele De Rossi, he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament rupture to his left knee and underwent surgery at a clinic in Saint Moritz favoured by the Friedkin Group ownership. That injury sidelined him for 11 months. The fresh trauma to his right knee has sparked fears of a similar setback at a critical moment in pre-season preparation. Roma's new Chief Executive Officer John Galantic arrived at the training camp yesterday and will remain through the end of the pre-season programme. The injury overshadowed what should have been a routine friendly fixture as Roma's medical team assessed the extent of the damage in the hours following the match.

Roma midfielder Bah was forced off on a stretcher in the 26th minute of a test match in Cardiff after sustaining a distortion trauma to his right knee. The injury has raised serious concerns about possible ligament damage, with medical staff particularly worried about involvement of the cruciate. Bah, born in 2007, endured a remarkably similar setback two years earlier during a pre-season retreat under then-manager Claudio Ranieri, when he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in his left knee and underwent surgery at Saint Moritz in a clinic used by the Friedkin Group, sidelined for 11 months. The midfielder's latest blow occurred as new Roma chief executive John Galantic watched on from the sidelines. Galantic arrived at the squad's training camp yesterday and will remain there through the end of the retreat. The sight of Bah leaving the pitch in obvious distress drew concerned looks from his teammates as medical staff assessed the damage.

Wesley left Roma's training session in Cardiff on 2 August, limping away after suffering discomfort to an ankle that had troubled him the previous day. The Brazilian was unable to continue the session and had to stop early. Roma are preparing for upcoming fixtures while managing an injury concern with one of their attacking options. Wesley joined the club last summer on a five-year contract from Flamengo for €25 million plus €5 million in add-ons. His availability for the next match will be monitored closely as the squad continues pre-season work in Wales. The club also reported on other squad movements during the training camp, with Koulierakis joining the group in Cardiff and fellow players including an unnamed Dutch player recently featuring in a 74-minute appearance against Atalanta following a €28 million bid.

Roma are maintaining their interest in left-winger Alessio Cacciamani as they look to strengthen the position following Angeliño's departure to Deportivo la Coruña. The 2007-born talent from Torino remains a target, though a significant gap persists in negotiations between the two clubs. According to Corriere della Sera, Torino are demanding €15 million while Roma have offered €7 million. Further talks are expected in the coming days as the clubs work towards an agreement. Cacciamani's emergence as a priority underscores Roma's need to shore up the left flank, where the departure of Angeliño and the anticipated exit of Salah-Eddine have left the squad thin. Wesley is currently the only established option in that area. Roma director D'Amico is continuing negotiations with a view to closing the gap between the two valuations and securing the young winger's services. In parallel, Roma remain active elsewhere in the market. Sporting director D'Amico is simultaneously working on a deal for Read, attempting to reach an economic agreement with Feyenoord as the transfer window enters its final weeks.

Roma suffered a heavy defeat to Cardiff City in their opening pre-season fixture, losing 4–1 at the Welsh Championship club on 2 August. The Giallorossi conceded three goals in the opening half-hour and went in at 0–3 at the break, with errors from established players including Svilar, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Wesley, Cristante and Dybala contributing to a chaotic first period. Paulo Dybala missed a penalty in spectacular fashion before atoning in the second half with a goal created by Matías Soulé, though Cardiff added a fourth after an apparent foul on debutant Castro went unpunished. The match served as the competitive debut for Castro, who operated as the striker in an all-Argentine attacking triad alongside Dybala and Soulé under coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical system. Roma fielded a reduced squad following two weeks of pre-season work, while Cardiff were significantly further along in their preparation ahead of their League Cup campaign starting within days. Officiating decisions favoured the hosts, with romanisti receiving a series of yellow cards distributed seemingly arbitrarily. Wesley and Rensch appeared vulnerable on the flanks, while the centre-backs and midfield operated out of sync. A notable injury concern emerged when Bah suffered a right knee distortion and had to be stretchered off. The second half saw gradual improvements, though Cardiff's quality ensured few clear chances materialised for the visitors. Young midfielder Lulli (born 2007) impressed in a brief appearance.

Borussia Dortmund will face Roma in a friendly on 15 August as part of their pre-season preparations. Ahead of the fixture, defender Luca Reggiani, speaking after Dortmund's training match against FC Tokyo, expressed his excitement about the encounter. "Facing Roma is a unique emotion, I hope I can play. I will give my best," Reggiani said. The 2008-born defender also offered high praise for Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli. "Niccolò is a very good and very strong lad, really impressive," Reggiani told interviewer Norikazu Sato. The friendly marks an important pre-season test for both clubs as they prepare for the new season.

Borussia Dortmund centre-back Luca Reggiani has spoken ahead of a friendly against Roma scheduled for 15 August at 17:30, describing the fixture as special. During an interview with local media while on tour in Japan, Reggiani said: "Facing Roma is a unique emotion, I hope to play. I will give my best." The match will serve as Roma's final pre-season test before their Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina on 24 August. Roma are currently on a training camp in Wales, where they suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff on 1 August. The club has further friendlies against Newport on Tuesday and Brighton on Saturday before returning to Rome. Richard also praised Niccolò Pisilli, the Roma midfielder, calling him "a really talented and strong lad". Paulo Dybala and his Roma teammates will use the Dortmund match to build fitness and sharpness ahead of the competitive season.

Roma travel to Wales on Saturday 1 August for a pre-season friendly against Cardiff, kicking off at 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT). Donyell Malen starts in attack, with Castro on the bench in his first appearance of pre-season. Neil El Aynaoui returns to action after missing the opening weeks of summer training due to World Cup involvement. Robinio Vaz is available after recovering from a knee injury. Niccolò Pisilli remains unavailable and has not yet reached full fitness. The match will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN, requiring a subscription to watch on smart TV, gaming consoles (Xbox or PlayStation), or streaming devices including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and TIM VISION Box. The fixture will also air on free-to-air channel Canale Nove, though only as a delayed broadcast at 21:30. Roma fans can follow live updates via Forzaroma.info's live blog and the club's social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Koulierakis joined Roma's squad in Wales on 2 August, arriving at Vale Resort in Hensol after completing his medical and signing yesterday. The Greek centre-back posed for photographs with Roma supporters at the training ground before linking up with Gasperini and the squad for his first team session. He arrived on a permanent deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in bonuses, with Wolfsburg retaining a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Koulierakis joins an established defensive unit comprising Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Ziółkowski and Ghilardi, though the last-named could depart the capital. This morning Dybala and the wider group completed a gym session, with a video review and field training scheduled for the afternoon. Gasperini welcomes Koulierakis as Roma's second new acquisition of the summer, following Castro, who made his debut in yesterday's 0–0 draw with Cardiff. The defender will bolster Roma's backline as pre-season preparations continue in Wales.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has completed his move to AS Roma from Wolfsburg on a deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, signing a contract until 2031. The Greek centre-back will link up with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad and is expected to be in Wales immediately as the club continues pre-season preparations. Koulierakis joins an already established defensive unit at the Stadio Olimpico comprising Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, Jan Ziółkowski and Daniele Ghilardi. His arrival strengthens Gasperini's options at the heart of defence as Roma look to build on their existing squad depth. Wolfsburg issued a farewell message on social media, stating: "Treat him well. He will give you everything. Konstantinos Koulierakis moves to Roma. Thank you for your commitment in white and green and the best of luck for your new challenge, Koulie." Gasperini continues to pursue additional reinforcements, particularly in attack, as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat to Championship side Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium on the opening day of their pre-season training camp in Wales. The match exposed significant defensive vulnerabilities in the first half, with Wesley and Rensch at fault for several errors. Cardiff scored three goals in the opening period through two strikes by Ashford and one from Salech, while Paulo Dybala missed a penalty. Roma's night was further complicated by an injury to Bah. Gasperini's side showed improvement after the interval. Dybala converted an assist from Matías Soulé to pull one back, but Cardiff's Tanner restored the two-goal cushion shortly after. Jan Ziółkowski struck the woodwork late on but could not find the back of the net. The result highlighted areas requiring immediate work as Roma prepare for the 2026–27 season.