Wolfsburg bid farewell to Koulierakis as Roma defender

Givairo Read, the twenty-year-old Feyenoord winger, has attracted Roma's interest as a potential reinforcement. Robin van Persie, who managed Read at Feyenoord's Under-18 level and now coaches the club's senior side, offered a glowing assessment last summer: "As a person, he has remained the same boy he was three years ago – while many footballers change because of status and money. He doesn't. As a footballer, he is making enormous progress: he is simply fantastic and I believe he is ready to make the quality leap." Manchester City had shown interest in Read a year ago, but no deal materialised. Read, who turned twenty on 2 June, is considered a potential heir to Denzel Dumfries at international level and was linked with Inter as a replacement for his compatriot. Standing 1.84 metres tall, he began his career as a fullback but has developed into an attacking right-winger capable of playing on the left when needed. Last season proved more complicated than anticipated: after a strong start, a thigh injury forced him to miss much of the second half, limiting him to nineteen appearances compared to thirty-two in 2024–25. He recovered in time to contribute to Feyenoord's second-place finish. Trained early in his career by former Inter player Wim Jonk at Volendam, Read possesses technical skill, personality and pace that have caught the attention of multiple European clubs. For a manager like Gasperini, who has a proven eye for Dutch football, Read could prove a valuable addition both in the short term and for the future.

AS Roma have completed the signing of centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg. The 23-year-old Greek defender arrived on 1 August, with the transfer officially confirmed the previous evening. Roma paid €15 million plus €1 million in add-ons to secure him. Koulierakis touched down at Ciampino airport in the morning, underwent medical tests, and signed his contract with the club. He has chosen to wear the number 33 shirt. The defender will travel to Wales later in the day as Roma prepare for their pre-season schedule. A social media post featuring a photograph comparing Koulierakis with Kostas Manolas—both sharing the same first name—celebrating a goal against Barcelona circulated online during his unveiling.

Roma are in the final stages of negotiations to sign Givairo Read from Feyenoord, with today potentially a decisive day in the transfer. The club has tabled an offer of €25 million in fixed fees and bonuses, which Read has approved after speaking with head coach Gasperini. Feyenoord are expected to respond by the end of the weekend. Nottingham Forest have also bid for the right-back, offering €21 million but with a more lucrative personal package for the player, and the Dutch club hopes to spark an auction between the two suitors—though neither Roma nor Nottingham Forest appears eager to escalate the bidding war. Fresh calls between the parties took place yesterday to try to reach an agreement soon. Gasperini is pressing for attacking reinforcements as well, with the squad set to begin the new campaign in just over three weeks. Nusa is the primary target for a left-sided attacking role, though that avenue is complicated. Mastantuono and Endrick, who scored against Fiorentina yesterday, are also under consideration, with Endrick preferred—but his arrival depends on Matías Soulé's departure first.

Roma collapsed in their first friendly match in Wales, losing 4–1 to Cardiff. Ashford scored twice for the hosts, with goals also coming from Salech and Tanner. Paulo Dybala was Roma's sole bright spot, missing a penalty but pulling one back to make it 3–1, though the goal proved only a consolation. The defence struggled throughout, with Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Devyne Rensch among the poorest performers, while debutant Castro misfired in attack. The squad trained this morning and appeared fatigued, carrying heavy workloads on their legs—a normal state at this stage of pre-season preparation. Young player Bah suffered a knee injury during the match, sustaining a right knee distortion; instrumental examinations will determine the full extent of the problem. Roma's next friendly comes on Tuesday against Newport at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italian time). The squad will train in the afternoon on Tuesday, with gym work scheduled for the morning.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff City in a friendly on 1 August, with Paulo Dybala scoring but also missing a penalty in an otherwise bright performance. The Argentine playmaker created a memorable chance early in the second half, setting up Wesley before converting a tap-in to reduce the deficit. His striking effort from the spot, however, was described as poor. Dybala's physical condition drew praise despite the heavy loss. Roma's defence struggled throughout, particularly in the opening period. Mile Svilar conceded four goals and was caught out by careless errors from his backline, notably a slow pass from Wesley that led to Cardiff's second goal. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso had difficult nights, while Evan N'Dicka made an early mistake that invited pressure. Bryan Cristante showed glimpses of quality in midfield, while Matías Soulé and Castro offered encouraging signs despite the scoreline. The friendly served as Roma's first pre-season fixture in Wales. Donyell Malen and Lolli were introduced in the second half and showed improved energy compared to the first-team starters. Roma's next fixture is scheduled for 4 August against Newport.

Roma faced Cardiff City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side testing themselves further after earlier sessions at Trigoria and against Cannes. The match took place at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the club's Welsh training camp. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as full-backs. Bryan Cristante anchored midfield alongside Wesley, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala deployed in attacking support of the centre-forward. The standout feature of Roma's team sheet was the first appearance of Castro, who took the centre-forward berth in the starting XI. Gasperini continues to build match fitness across the squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

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.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff City in a friendly on 1 August, with Paulo Dybala scoring but also missing a penalty in an otherwise bright performance. The Argentine playmaker created a memorable chance early in the second half, setting up Wesley before converting a tap-in to reduce the deficit. His striking effort from the spot, however, was described as poor. Dybala's physical condition drew praise despite the heavy loss. Roma's defence struggled throughout, particularly in the opening period. Mile Svilar conceded four goals and was caught out by careless errors from his backline, notably a slow pass from Wesley that led to Cardiff's second goal. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso had difficult nights, while Evan N'Dicka made an early mistake that invited pressure. Bryan Cristante showed glimpses of quality in midfield, while Matías Soulé and Castro offered encouraging signs despite the scoreline. The friendly served as Roma's first pre-season fixture in Wales. Donyell Malen and Lolli were introduced in the second half and showed improved energy compared to the first-team starters. Roma's next fixture is scheduled for 4 August against Newport.

Roma faced Cardiff City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side testing themselves further after earlier sessions at Trigoria and against Cannes. The match took place at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the club's Welsh training camp. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as full-backs. Bryan Cristante anchored midfield alongside Wesley, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala deployed in attacking support of the centre-forward. The standout feature of Roma's team sheet was the first appearance of Castro, who took the centre-forward berth in the starting XI. Gasperini continues to build match fitness across the squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

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.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff City in a friendly on 1 August, with Paulo Dybala scoring but also missing a penalty in an otherwise bright performance. The Argentine playmaker created a memorable chance early in the second half, setting up Wesley before converting a tap-in to reduce the deficit. His striking effort from the spot, however, was described as poor. Dybala's physical condition drew praise despite the heavy loss. Roma's defence struggled throughout, particularly in the opening period. Mile Svilar conceded four goals and was caught out by careless errors from his backline, notably a slow pass from Wesley that led to Cardiff's second goal. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso had difficult nights, while Evan N'Dicka made an early mistake that invited pressure. Bryan Cristante showed glimpses of quality in midfield, while Matías Soulé and Castro offered encouraging signs despite the scoreline. The friendly served as Roma's first pre-season fixture in Wales. Donyell Malen and Lolli were introduced in the second half and showed improved energy compared to the first-team starters. Roma's next fixture is scheduled for 4 August against Newport.

Roma faced Cardiff City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side testing themselves further after earlier sessions at Trigoria and against Cannes. The match took place at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the club's Welsh training camp. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as full-backs. Bryan Cristante anchored midfield alongside Wesley, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala deployed in attacking support of the centre-forward. The standout feature of Roma's team sheet was the first appearance of Castro, who took the centre-forward berth in the starting XI. Gasperini continues to build match fitness across the squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.