Roma suffers 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in pre‑season friendly

On 2 August 2026 AS Roma travelled to Cardiff, Wales, for a pre‑season friendly against newly promoted Championship side Cardiff City. The Italian side were overwhelmed, losing 4‑1. Paulo Dybala missed a penalty in the first half and later scored Roma’s only goal, but the result was eclipsed by a heated on‑field dispute. Midfielder Bryan Cristante, who had rebuked teammate Matías Soulé, was confronted by Dybala, leading to a brief face‑to‑face clash that threatened to turn into a fight before teammates intervened.

Italian media described the match as “an afternoon to forget”, criticizing the squad’s lack of preparation and highlighting the coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s need for reinforcements in defence, wing‑back and attack positions. The loss and the visible tension have raised concerns about Roma’s readiness for the upcoming season.