AS Roma suffered another friendly defeat, losing 4-1 to Cardiff City. The match was marked by the debut of Santiago Castro, Paulo Dybala's penalty miss, and most notably, a serious injury to Muhammed Bah, who was forced off the field in tears.
What happened on the pitch?
Roma started poorly, conceding a goal as early as the third minute. Cian Ashford scored from an Ollie Tanner assist, taking advantage of a disorganized defense. The situation worsened when Yousef Salech capitalized on a Wesley mistake for the 2-0. Dybala had the chance to reduce the gap but missed the penalty. Ashford then scored the third goal before Dybala headed in for the 3-1. Tanner sealed the score with Cardiff's fourth goal.
Why it matters for Roma
The defeat is less concerning than Bah's injury, who had just returned from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury. The midfielder collapsed after a challenge, clutching his right knee. His reaction alarmed everyone, and now a medical evaluation is awaited.
What comes next?
Roma must prepare for the Champions League, but the defense still seems unstable. The arrival of Castro for €35m plus bonuses is a sign of reinforcement, but the team must improve its compactness. Donyell Malen, who came on, showed some positive signs, while Matias Soulé tried to prove his worth ahead of a possible sale.
