AS Roma suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in the first pre‑season friendly, with new CEO John Galantic watching from the stands. The match, played on August 1 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium, showed a Roma side still finding its rhythm, but also Galantic's commitment to get up close with the squad.
How did the match unfold?
The result was decisive: Cardiff dominated from the first minute, scoring four goals, while Roma managed a single reply. Coach José Gasperi tried several line‑ups, but the yellow‑red defense struggled against the opponent's pressure. Despite the loss, the team displayed flashes of brilliance, especially on the counter‑attack.
Who is John Galantic?
John Galantic, appointed CEO only a few days ago, wanted to attend his team's first official training session. With a long career at Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Chanel and Ferrari, Galantic said he is "a lifelong Romanista" who loves the city and its fans. His presence at the match underscores his intention to lead the club with a global vision.
What does this mean for the season?
With the final Serie A 2025 standing at 3rd place (73 points, 23‑4‑11) and a recent five‑win streak (WWWWW), Roma starts with high expectations. The friendly result does not affect the league position, but highlights areas to improve before the campaign begins. The defense must be tightened to maintain a +28 goal difference (59 goals scored, 31 conceded).
What are the next steps?
Roma's next challenge will be a match against a top‑level opponent, where the side will aim to turn the recent winning form (last result 2‑0 over Hellas Verona on May 24 2026) into stronger performances. Galantic promises to invest in infrastructure and the transfer market to close the 14‑point gap behind leaders Inter, aiming for a return to the Serie A summit.
Note: Galantic's presence at the match was a symbolic move to show his hands‑on approach to the squad and club culture.
