Brighton 0–0 Roma: Dybala and Soulé start behind Malen in pre-season friendly

Evan Ferguson, the Roma forward on loan from Brighton, was present at the Amex Stadium on 8 August and exchanged greetings with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the club's staff. Ferguson remains sidelined following an ankle injury sustained in January 2025. The Irish striker's appearance at Brighton ahead of the fixture underlined his continued recovery from the injury that has kept him unavailable since the start of 2025. His presence among the Roma party offered a chance to reconnect with his former coach and teammates despite his absence from the squad on the pitch. Ferguson joined Roma on loan from Brighton in July 2025 with an option to make the move permanent for €40 million.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.

Roma continue their pre-season preparation in England on Saturday 8 August, facing Brighton at the American Express Stadium with kickoff at 16:00. Head coach Gasperini will be without Molina, who will join the squad directly at Trigoria, though Malen is available. Pisilli and Bah remain sidelined through injury. The friendly forms part of Roma's summer training schedule following their time in Wales. Gasperini has confirmed his squad composition for the match, with the unavailability of two key players due to injury requiring tactical adjustments. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via the app or official website through smartphone, PC, or tablet.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.

Roma faced Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium at 16:00 CET on 8 August, with head coach Gasperini selecting Donyell Malen to lead the attack after the winger missed the previous match against Newport County due to illness. Malen was supported by Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Devyne Rensch and Wesley operated as wing-backs. Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui anchored midfield, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive three in front of goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The fixture served as Roma's final warm-up match on their UK tour, following defeats to Cardiff and a victory over Newport County. Gasperini had no fresh squad additions available for the match. Niccolò Pisilli and Bah were unavailable due to injury. Brighton fielded a 4-3-3 formation under manager Hurzeler, while the match was officiated by Bobby Madley.

Roma are preparing to negotiate with Bologna over the signing of Jonathan Rowe, the 23-year-old English forward, as they look to strengthen their attacking options. The move would likely depend on Matías Soulé's departure from the Stadio Olimpico, with Roma exploring the possibility of adding another forward to their ranks. Bologna have set an asking price of €40 million for Rowe, whose contract runs until 2029. The club face competition from Chelsea for the player's signature, though Rowe may be tempted by Roma's guaranteed Champions League football next season compared to Bologna's absence from European qualification. Roma have already invested €35 million in Santiago Castro from Bologna earlier this summer and signed Donyell Malen permanently from Aston Villa following his loan spell in the second half of last season. Paulo Dybala has been tied down to a new contract, but the club could move on from Soulé to create space for a fresh attacking addition. Rowe arrived at Bologna from Marseille last summer and registered three goals and three assists across 28 Serie A appearances in his first campaign. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has also been keeping tabs on RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa as an alternative, though Rowe represents a more economical option.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.

Roma continue their pre-season preparation in England on Saturday 8 August, facing Brighton at the American Express Stadium with kickoff at 16:00. Head coach Gasperini will be without Molina, who will join the squad directly at Trigoria, though Malen is available. Pisilli and Bah remain sidelined through injury. The friendly forms part of Roma's summer training schedule following their time in Wales. Gasperini has confirmed his squad composition for the match, with the unavailability of two key players due to injury requiring tactical adjustments. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via the app or official website through smartphone, PC, or tablet.

Roma faced Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium at 16:00 CET on 8 August, with head coach Gasperini selecting Donyell Malen to lead the attack after the winger missed the previous match against Newport County due to illness. Malen was supported by Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Devyne Rensch and Wesley operated as wing-backs. Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui anchored midfield, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive three in front of goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The fixture served as Roma's final warm-up match on their UK tour, following defeats to Cardiff and a victory over Newport County. Gasperini had no fresh squad additions available for the match. Niccolò Pisilli and Bah were unavailable due to injury. Brighton fielded a 4-3-3 formation under manager Hurzeler, while the match was officiated by Bobby Madley.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.

Roma faced Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium at 16:00 CET on 8 August, with head coach Gasperini selecting Donyell Malen to lead the attack after the winger missed the previous match against Newport County due to illness. Malen was supported by Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Devyne Rensch and Wesley operated as wing-backs. Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui anchored midfield, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive three in front of goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The fixture served as Roma's final warm-up match on their UK tour, following defeats to Cardiff and a victory over Newport County. Gasperini had no fresh squad additions available for the match. Niccolò Pisilli and Bah were unavailable due to injury. Brighton fielded a 4-3-3 formation under manager Hurzeler, while the match was officiated by Bobby Madley.

Roma's preparation continues ahead of a friendly against Brighton, the final match of their British tour. Defender Marash Kumbulla has officially joined Rayo Vallecano on loan with a right of purchase. Mile Svilar spoke to Radio Romanista, reflecting on his Champions League experiences, anecdotes from his time at Roma, and his outlook for the future. Tickets went on sale for Roma's Serie A fixture against Fiorentina. Antonio Rüdiger was pictured proudly wearing the number 10 shirt of Roma legend Francesco Totti, underlining the cultural significance of the shirt within the club. The day's news caps a busy summer window period for the Giallorossi as they prepare for the new campaign.