Cardiff City vs Roma preview

2026 Club Friendlies 1, World
Cardiff City Stadium Sat, 1 Aug - 2:00 PM
Club Friendlies 1
Cardiff CityCDF
4 1
RomaROM
Full Time Sat, 1 Aug 2:00 PM
Regular Season
Cian Ashford - 3', 39'
Ollie Tanner - 63'
Goal
|
Goal
Paulo Dybala - 58'

CONTEXT

Cardiff City hosted Roma in a match that ended with a 4-1 home victory. The hosts took a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime and maintained control throughout the second period to secure the result. Roma entered as the stronger side yet failed to overcome the early deficit despite holding a slight possession advantage of 53 percent. Cardiff City completed the scoring with one additional goal after the break while Roma managed a single response. No red cards were issued to either team and the outcome represented a significant deviation from pre-match expectations favoring the visitors. The performance highlighted Cardiff City's clinical finishing and defensive organization against a higher-profile opponent.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: Cardiff City 4-1 Roma. Cardiff City showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with Cardiff City's dominant first-half display.
  • xG alignment: xG alignment could not be evaluated due to unavailable expected goals figures.
  • Market alignment: The final result proved market aligned according to recorded indicators.
  • xG expectations: xG expectations stayed undetermined without supporting performance metrics.
  • Event impact: The three first-half goals created decisive event impact on the match outcome.
  • Red card distortion: Red card distortion played no role with zero dismissals recorded.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
A. Jones
A. Jones
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
D. Beckett
D. Beckett
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
J. Christopher
J. Christopher
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. McInch
A. McInch
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Cardiff City B. Barry-Murphy
B. Barry-Murphy
VS
Roma G. Gasperini
G. Gasperini
0
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1
0 i
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1 i
Last 6 Opponents
Cannes Rank: D
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
82.03
87.29
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Cardiff City
Roma
Power Score
82.03
87.29
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
73
34

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Cardiff City — Opponent-weighted form score
Roma — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Cardiff City Roma

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Cardiff City

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Roma

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Cardiff City ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Roma
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
30.32
34.72
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
34.72
30.32
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Cardiff City -0.05 Efficiency Index
vs
Roma +0.05 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Cardiff City
Roma
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Cardiff City ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Roma
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Cardiff City Roma
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Cardiff City Roma
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.
Cardiff City
Roma
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Cardiff City
vs
Roma
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Cardiff City Roma
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Cardiff City 0.27
Roma 0.33
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Cardiff City Roma
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Cardiff City 0.02
Roma 0.09
Cardiff City
Roma
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • CDF had peak pressure around 11'.
  • CDF started the game with stronger pressure.
CDF Pressure ROM Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: CDF reached the top pressure at 11' (79.71).

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-4-1-2
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 01, 2026, 02:00 PM
Competition
2026 Club Friendlies 1, World · Regular Season
Stadium
Cardiff City Stadium
Capacity
33280
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Aaron Wyn Jones
Daniel Beckett
Jordan Lee Christopher
Alex McInch

Statistics

Possession
CDF
48%
ROM
52%

Top Statistics

4 Goals 1
3 Big Chances Created 4
3 Shots 6
45 Dangerous attacks 48
47 Possession 53
7 Corners 5
15 Free kicks 12
0 Yellow Cards 3

Match Overview

84 Ball Safe 74
0 Penalties 1
8 Goal Kicks 6
7 Goal Attempts 8
8 Substitutions 9
18 Throwins 11
0 Hit Woodwork 1
0 Injuries 2
16 Dribble Attempts 16
6 Successful Dribbles 9
38 Successful Dribbles Percentage 56

Attacking

71 Attacks 90
0 Big Chances Missed 3

Possession

60 Long Passes 46
361 Passes 412
294 Successful Passes 339
81 Successful Passes Percentage 82
5 Key Passes 11
33 Successful Long Passes 22
55 Successful Long Passes Percentage 48

Defensive

5 Saves 3
13 Tackles 16
9 Interceptions 11

Build-up

17 Total Crosses 16
4 Accurate Crosses 5

Discipline

2 Offsides 2
11 Fouls 15

Lineup

Referee : Aaron Wyn Jones

Starting XI ▼

1
Nathan Trott
Nathan Trott Goalkeeper
8.2
30
Harry Tyrer
Harry Tyrer
Goalkeeper46'
6.6
3
Joel Bagan
Joel Bagan Defender
7.1
5
Paul Ujobolo Moreno
Paul Ujobolo Moreno
Midfielder82'
6.4
4
Gabriel Osho
Gabriel Osho Defender
6.8
21
Noah Anyadike
Noah Anyadike
Defender82'
6.7
8
Perry Ng
Perry Ng Defender
6.1
26
Ronan Kpakio
Ronan Kpakio
Defender66'
6.7
12
Calum Chambers
Calum Chambers (C) Defender
6.9
11
Ollie Tanner
Ollie Tanner Midfielder
7.1
24
Eli King
Eli King
Midfielder78'
6.7
16
Chris Willock
Chris Willock Midfielder
6.8
18
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson Midfielder
7
17
Callum Robinson
Callum Robinson
Attacker78'
6.6
19
Cian Ashford
Cian Ashford Midfielder
2
8.9
14
David Turnbull
David Turnbull
Midfielder72'
6.5
23
Joel Colwill
Joel Colwill Midfielder
6.7
15
Rob Tankiewicz
Rob Tankiewicz
Midfielder82'
6.5
9
Yousef Salech
Yousef Salech Attacker
7.9
25
Isaak Davies
Isaak Davies
Attacker78'
6.5
Referee : Aaron Wyn Jones

Starting XI ▼

99
Mile Svilar
Mile Svilar Goalkeeper
5.8
5
Evan Ndicka
Evan Ndicka Defender
5.2
22
Mario Hermoso
Mario Hermoso Defender
5.5
24
Jan Ziolkowski
Jan Ziolkowski
Defender71'
6.9
23
Gianluca Mancini
Gianluca Mancini Defender
6
87
Daniele Ghilardi
Daniele Ghilardi
Defender46'
6.6
2
Devyne Rensch
Devyne Rensch Midfielder
6.6
75
Filippo Reale
Filippo Reale
Attacker82'
6.4
4
Bryan Cristante
Bryan Cristante (C) Midfielder
6
62
Francesco Panico
Francesco Panico
Midfielder87'
43
Wesley
Wesley Midfielder
7.2
77
Emanuele Lulli
Emanuele Lulli
Defender72'
7
69
Muhammed Bah
Muhammed Bah Midfielder
6.7
60
Mattia Mannini
Mattia Mannini
Midfielder29'
6.3
9
Santiago Castro
Santiago Castro Attacker
6.5
14
Donyell Malen
Donyell Malen
Attacker66'
6.4
18
Matías Soulé
Matías Soulé Attacker
7.7
67
Luigi Cherubini
Luigi Cherubini
Midfielder81'
7
21
Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala Attacker
7.3
78
Robinio Vaz
Robinio Vaz
Attacker71'
6.5

Events

2ND-HALF
87'
Event
Francesco Panico → Bryan Cristante 
18th Substitution
Event
Noah Anyadike → Gabriel Osho
14th Substitution
82'
Event
Paul Ujobolo Moreno → Joel Bagan
15th Substitution
82'
Event
Rob Tankiewicz → Joel Colwill
17th Substitution
82'
82'
Event
Filippo Reale → Devyne Rensch
16th Substitution
81'
Event
Luigi Cherubini  → Matías Soulé
13th Substitution
Event
Isaak Davies → Yousef Salech
10th Substitution
78'
Event
Eli King  → Ollie Tanner
11th Substitution
78'
Event
Callum Robinson → Alex Robertson
12th Substitution
78'
76'
Event
Evan Ndicka
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
David Turnbull → Cian Ashford
9th Substitution
72'
72'
Event
Emanuele Lulli → Wesley
8th Substitution
71'
Event
Robinio Vaz → Paulo Dybala
6th Substitution
71'
Event
Jan Ziolkowski → Mario Hermoso
7th Substitution
Event
Ronan Kpakio → Perry Ng
4th Substitution
66'
66'
Event
Donyell Malen → Santiago Castro
5th Substitution
64'
Event
Santiago Castro
Argument / 1st Yellowcard
64'
Event
Matías Soulé
Argument / 2nd Yellowcard
Event
Ollie Tanner
Left foot shot / 5th Goal
63'
58'
Event
Paulo Dybala
Left foot shot / 4th Goal
Event
Harry Tyrer → Nathan Trott
3rd Substitution
46'
46'
Event
Daniele Ghilardi → Gianluca Mancini
2nd Substitution
1ST-HALF
Event
Cian Ashford
3rd Goal
39'
35'
Event
Paulo Dybala
Goalkeeper save
Event
Yousef Salech
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
30'
29'
Event
Mattia Mannini → Muhammed Bah
1st Substitution
Event
Cian Ashford
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
3'

CONCLUSION

Cardiff City's 4-1 triumph over Roma demonstrated effective execution from the opening whistle. The 3-0 halftime advantage allowed the home side to manage the game comfortably while limiting Roma's opportunities. Possession figures reflected Roma's attempts to respond yet the scoreline remained unchanged after the interval except for Cardiff's fourth goal. Absence of red cards ensured a full-strength contest throughout. This result underscores how early momentum can override nominal team strength differences in a single fixture. Cardiff City capitalized on their chances while Roma struggled to convert possession into meaningful threats.