Italian media tore into Roma after their 4-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Cardiff City, with Gazzetta dello Sport leading the criticism of what it called a “terrible day” in the Welsh capital.
The win provided a perfect ending to Brian Barry-Murphy's second pre-season in charge at Cardiff, who now face Swindon in the EFL Cup next weekend before hosting Wrexham at Cardiff City Stadium on Monday, August 17 (8pm).
Gazzetta's verdict
Gazzetta dello Sport ran the headline: “Conceded 4 goals by Cardiff, Dybala misses a penalty, Cristante and Soulè argue: Roma, a terrible day”. The paper described the trip as “an afternoon to forget - immediately”.
“After the disappointing 3-3 draw with Cannes (French Serie C), Roma suffered a 4-1 defeat in Cardiff against a newly promoted team from the Championship (English Serie B),” the report added. “Still reeling and on their feet, Gasperini's team barely got into the game. Meanwhile, Cardiff (further along in preparation, playing in the League Cup in a week) proved fresher and more responsive. Tanner sliced Hermoso to pieces on the right flank, and Cristante in midfield was never able to contain Ashford.”
Frustrations boil over
Gazzetta said Roma's players only attempted to react “when they felt they were being mocked, with the home crowd cheering every Welsh pass”. After Cardiff's fourth goal, “the Giallorossi's nerves also flared, with Cristante and Soulé arguing and Dybala then getting in the way, amidst pushing and a few too many 'f*** yous'.”
The paper also noted that “in the final minutes, Ghilardi's header hit the post.”
Bah injury concern
Football Italia wrote that “the worst news was not the result, but the sight of midfielder Bah being stretchered off the field utterly distraught.”
“He was just returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, went into a challenge and crumpled to the ground clutching his right knee.”
More Italian criticism
Corriere dello Sport reacted by stating: “Roma's first match in Wales wasn't a good one, having started the second phase of their summer preparations with a defeat. The Giallorossi were defeated by Cardiff City, the English EFL Championship side that scored four goals.”
Corriere added that “after a 3-3 draw in their last 'family' friendly against Cannes in France, Gasperini's team struggled again today despite Castro's starting debut and the arrival of Koulierakis at Ciampino.”
Tuttosport, meanwhile, wrote of “a shock in Wales” in their match report headline, noting that “Roma suffered a heavy defeat in their fourth pre-season friendly, their first since their training camp in Wales. Gian Piero Gasperini's team lost 4-1 to Cardiff, a team that plays in the Championship, the second tier of English football.”
