Roma's recent pre-season friendly against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium provided a glimpse into how manager Gian Piero Gasperini might structure his attacking line-up for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign. The match, which ended in defeat for the Giallorossi, allowed the coaching staff to test various configurations featuring Paulo Dybala, Matias Soule, Donyell Malen, and recent €35m signing Santiago Castro.
Initially, Gasperini employed a 3-4-2-1 formation, utilizing Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule in the trequartista roles positioned behind Donyell Malen. However, during the second half, the tactical setup shifted to a 3-4-1-2. After withdrawing the two Argentine attackers, Gasperini brought in Santiago Castro, moving Malen to the right of the attack and placing Castro on the left, while substitute Luigi Cherubini took on the role of the sole trequartista.
The club concludes its UK tour having recorded losses to Brighton and Cardiff City, alongside a 4-1 victory over Newport County. A final pre-season match against Borussia Dortmund is scheduled for next weekend before the Serie A season officially begins against Fiorentina on August 24.
Despite the high-profile acquisition of Castro from Bologna, Gasperini has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the squad. The head coach has publicly stated that he requested a defender, a winger, and two strikers to adequately prepare for the season. Reflecting on the team's needs following the defeat to Cardiff City, Gasperini emphasized that his objectives, which include replacing departing players and adding quality, remain unmet. He noted that the team is actively seeking further reinforcements, including a new defender, before the transfer window closes in the coming weeks.
