Cardiff City vs Roma: Club Friendlies stats & preview 2026

Key Points

• Cardiff City host AS Roma in a pre-season Club Friendlies match on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at 3pm (BST) at Cardiff City Stadium.
• The fixture is part of Roma’s pre-season tour of British opposition and will be shown free-to-air in Italy on NOVE, with UK supporters able to stream via Cardiff City TV for £10.
• Cardiff enter off a mixed run including a 5-1 win over Forest Green Rovers, a 6-1 win against Cork City, and a 5-0 defeat to Torquay, while Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes and are coming off a third-placed Serie A finish in 2025/26.
• AS Roma are managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, who secured Champions League qualification in his first season, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar and forward Donyell Malen among key figures.
• The two sides have not met in recent years, making the head-to-head record sparse and the match a fresh tactical test for both squads.
• Cardiff have already played three pre-season friendlies, beginning with a 0-6 defeat at the hands of Midtjylland, before bouncing back with wins over Forest Green Rovers and Cork City, scoring eleven goals in those two games while conceding just two, according to Sportskeeda.
• Roma’s first pre-season friendly saw them travel to Cannes, where they ended up drawing 3-3 with the French third-tier side, as reported by Sportskeeda.
• The last time Cardiff faced Roma in a friendly match was prior to the 1963-64 season, when they travelled to Italy and suffered a 1-4 loss, a tour that also saw them draw 3-3 with Juventus and lose to Lazio, according to Sportskeeda.

Cardiff City F.C. (Wales Times) 2026 – uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff City and AS Roma meet at Cardiff City Stadium in a pre-season friendly that will provide both managers with valuable insights ahead of their respective campaigns. As reported by the Cardiff City FC website, the Bluebirds welcome the Italian giants to conclude their series of pre-season fixtures, with kick-off at 3pm (BST). Warner Bros. Discovery’s NOVE channel will broadcast the match in Italy at 9.30pm local time, underlining its place in Roma’s build-up to the 2026/27 Serie A season.

Match details and broadcast information

The fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 1 August 2026, at Cardiff City Stadium, which has a capacity of 33,280 and an average attendance of around 20,975. According to Goal.com, Cardiff v Roma is the first of three matches in Wales for Giampiero Gasperini’s Roma against British opposition, with Chelsea also hosting Juventus and AC Milan later in the month. For supporters unable to attend, Cardiff City TV will provide a live stream in the UK for £10, while audio pass holders can access live commentary.

Cardiff City’s pre-season form and recent results

Cardiff City have experienced varied results in their pre-season preparations. As reported by FootballCritic, the Bluebirds recorded a 5-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers and a 6-1 win against Cork City, showing attacking intent in friendlies. However, they also suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Torquay on 25 July 2026, highlighting areas for defensive improvement. Further results include a 5-1 win over Northampton Town and a 0-6 draw against Midtjylland, indicating inconsistency as they finalise their squad ahead of the Championship season.

AS Roma’s recent form and 2025/26 season review

AS Roma arrive in South Wales having drawn 3-3 with Cannes in a friendly match, as noted by FootballCritic. Their 2025/26 campaign under Gian Piero Gasperini was successful, with the club securing third place in Serie A and returning to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2018/19. According to the Cardiff City FC website, Roma lost only one of their last nine league games, winning six, including five consecutive victories to end the season. Forward Donyell Malen was their top scorer with 15 goals in 20 appearances after joining in January, while goalkeeper Mile Svilar maintained a 77% save rate, earning recognition as Serie A’s best stopper for two consecutive seasons.

Managerial profiles and tactical outlook

Gian Piero Gasperini, appointed Roma manager in June 2025, brings extensive Serie A experience, having transformed Atalanta into a consistent European contender and led them to the 2024 UEFA Europa League title. As reported by the Cardiff City FC website, Gasperini’s side are known for their structured attacking play and defensive solidity, qualities that were key to their Champions League qualification. Cardiff City’s management team will be looking to test their squad depth against a side that finished third in one of Europe’s top leagues, providing a stern examination of their pre-season progress.

Head-to-head history and statistical trends

There is no recent head-to-head data between Cardiff City and AS Roma, as the teams have not met in competitive fixtures in the last couple of years. According to 4score.ru, both sides have shown inconsistent form in recent matches, with Roma averaging three goals per match and Cardiff averaging 3.6 goals per match across their last 20 games. Neither team has recorded a red card in their last 20 matches, suggesting disciplined performances are likely. The absence of historical data adds an element of unpredictability to the fixture, with both managers using the match to assess tactical options and player fitness.

Background of the particular development

This friendly forms part of AS Roma’s pre-season tour of British opposition, designed to prepare the squad for the 2026/27 Serie A season and their Champions League campaign. Cardiff City, meanwhile, are using the match to conclude their own pre-season schedule, having faced a mix of lower-league and international sides. The fixture also holds historical resonance: both clubs share a connection to the year 1927, when Cardiff won the FA Cup and Roma were founded through the merger of three Roman clubs.

Prediction: how this development can affect supporters and clubs

For Cardiff City supporters, the match offers a rare opportunity to face a top European side, providing insight into the squad’s readiness for the Championship. A competitive performance could boost confidence, while any defensive vulnerabilities exposed may prompt final adjustments before the season opener. For Roma fans, the game serves as a fitness benchmark against physical British opposition, with Gasperini likely to rotate players to assess depth ahead of Serie A. A strong showing could reinforce belief in Roma’s Champions League prospects, while a disjointed display might raise questions about squad cohesion. Neutral observers will gain a clearer picture of both teams’ tactical directions, making this friendly a meaningful barometer ahead of the 2026/27 campaigns.