Bologna 0–2 Roma: Photo Gallery

Roma face Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly in Germany. The fixture echoes a historic encounter: 19 years ago, in the summer of 2007, Roma visited Dortmund and suffered a 4–0 defeat under manager Spalletti. That loss drew criticism of the coach's heavy pre-season preparation, yet the Roma side that year went on to challenge for the Serie A title until the final day against Inter. Roma's recent warm-up matches suggest the current pre-season training load is similarly demanding. The comparison raises the possibility that, as in Spalletti's era, the giallorossi could deliver strong form once the competitive season begins. Gian Piero Gasperini's squad will look to use this fixture as an opportunity to build fitness and cohesion ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Mario Hermoso left the field early in the second half during Roma's 3–0 friendly defeat to Brighton on 8 August after a collision caused sharp pain in his left ankle, but head coach Gian Piero Gasperini withdrew him purely as a precaution rather than due to any inability to continue play. The Spanish defender is expected to be fit and available for Roma's next test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August. Roma's heavy loss to Brighton came without the additional concern of a serious injury to their defence. Gasperini's decision to substitute Hermoso reflected a cautious approach to the player's status ahead of the Dortmund fixture, which will serve as further preparation before the competitive season begins.

Roma lost 3–0 to Brighton in a friendly at the Falmer Stadium but came away reassured over Mario Hermoso's fitness after the Spanish defender suffered an ankle problem early in the second half. Following a collision with a Brighton player, Hermoso remained on the ground in pain with a left ankle issue. Gasperini opted to substitute him as a precautionary measure, and Hermoso walked off the pitch unaided before taking a seat on the bench to watch the remainder of the match. According to reports, Hermoso's condition does not give cause for serious concern. The withdrawal was purely protective rather than a response to a significant injury, allowing the Roma coaching staff to err on the side of caution with a key defensive player. Gasperini is expected to have Hermoso available for Roma's next friendly fixture, a match against Borussia Dortmund.