AS Roma has included Santiago Castro in the starting lineup for his debut during a pre-season friendly against Cardiff City. He joins Paulo Dybala and Matias Soulé in the attacking trio.
The match is set to start in Cardiff at 15:00 UK time (16:00 CEST).
PARMA, ITALY – MAY 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, head coach of AS Roma, looks on for a team photograph before 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)
Advertisement
Gian Piero Gasperini wasted no time in giving Castro his first opportunity, only hours after the striker’s transfer from Bologna for €35 million plus add-ons was finalized.
Soulé is still on the transfer market for €30 million, but with no offers currently available, he competes in this pre-season match in Wales.
Wesley had to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup due to injury and was sent off during the recent friendly, a 3-3 draw with Cannes, where Roma had initially led 3-0 before collapsing to 10 men.
Donyell Malen starts on the bench, allowing Castro to take the field.
Cardiff City vs. AS Roma
Cardiff City: Trott; Ng, Osho, Chambers, Bagan; Robertson, J. Colwill; Ashford, Tanner, Willock; Salech
AS Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Bah, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé, Castro