Gasperini: ‘Roma need to be completed, I asked for 4 players’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini vented his frustration after Roma’s 4-1 friendly defeat to Cardiff City. ‘Anyone can see this squad needs to be completed. I asked for a defender, a winger, and two strikers.’

The Giallorossi have struggled in pre-season so far, fumbling a 3-0 lead to draw with Cannes, then today suffering a 4-1 loss away to Cardiff City.

CARDIFF, WALES – AUGUST 01: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma misses a penalty during the during the pre-season friendly match between Cardiff City and AS Roma at Cardiff City Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

“I think we were struggling in some situations, especially in defence during the first half, conceding goals with odd ricochets,” Gasperini told Tuttomercatoweb.

“There were some good things too, but if you are this distracted, lacking in fitness levels and pay little attention, then this happens.”

Roma have qualified for the Champions League, so have a slightly bigger budget than usual, but have still missed out on several big transfer targets.

The coach was already frustrated last summer at the lack of reinforcements and he won’t stand for that again.

Gasperini demands Roma reinforcements

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“The transfer market just really got going now due to the World Cup, but clearly I expect something from here on in,” added Gasperini.

“We lost a lot of players and anyone can see this squad needs to be completed. We will certainly need to bring in some players to make it a competitive team.

“At this moment, we’ve got three midfielders out, some players just arrived, others aren’t ready yet.”

CARDIFF, WALES – AUGUST 01: Santiago Castro of AS Roma battles for the ball with Gabriel Osho of Cardiff during the during the pre-season friendly match between Cardiff City and AS Roma at Cardiff City Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

There was one big signing, as Santiago Castro arrived from Bologna for €35m plus add-ons, and was thrown straight into the starting XI today.

“It is certainly a good signing, these are the players who improve a team. Essentially, Castro is a centre-forward and so is Donyell Malen, but there are situations where they could play together. We will have a lot of matches and need some rotation.

“Castro wanted to come to Roma at all costs, so he’s a positive signing.”

Gasperini was asked what he requested from the Roma directors going into the pre-season.

“Compared to last term, I asked for a defender, a winger, and two strikers. Of course, if a player leaves, then he has to be replaced too. This was my objective, it doesn’t seem so difficult or insurmountable to me.

“We are also clearly trying to get quality players, like Castro.”

Roma have just agreed a €16.5m plus add-ons deal with Wolfsburg for Greek defender Konstantino Koulierakis, who arrived at the airport this afternoon.

“We’ve got this lad who can complete the defence, because it was necessary, we only had five back there. Having at least two players per role is crucial for anyone in a Cup competition,” warned Gasperini.

“Anyone who doesn’t will pay a heavy price.”