Friendly: Roma give Castro first start in Cardiff City test | OneFootball

Roma have thrown Santiago Castro straight into the starting XI for his debut in a pre-season friendly with Cardiff City, in a trident with Paulo Dybala and Matias Soulé.

It kicks off in Cardiff at 15.00 UK time (16.00 CEST).

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on pose for a team photograph prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini wasted no time in giving new signing Castro his first appearance, just hours after the striker completed his transfer from Bologna for €35m plus add-ons.

Soulé remains on the transfer market for €30m, but with no buyers yet stepping up, he plays in this pre-season test in Wales.

Wesley was forced to miss the 2026 World Cup with Brazil due to an injury and got sent off in the last friendly 3-3 draw with Cannes, a game that Roma had been winning 3-0 until a late collapse down to 10 men.

Donyell Malen is initially on the bench to give Castro a run-out.

Cardiff City vs. Roma

Cardiff City: Trott; Ng, Osho, Chambers, Bagan; Robertson, J. Colwill; Ashford, Tanner, Willock; Salech

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Bah, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé, Castro