Malen emotional on return to Dortmund: 'I missed the stadium'

Paulo Dybala scored and assisted in Roma's 2–2 friendly draw at Borussia Dortmund, the club's final warm-up match before the Serie A season begins. The Argentine delivered another display of high quality, reinforcing encouraging signs about his physical condition heading into the new campaign. Dybala was full of praise for the performance on social media after the match. He posted: "Last match before the start of a new season in Serie A. Beautiful match against a great team in a difficult stadium. Well done everyone." The fixture served as final preparation for Gasperini's side as they prepare for the competitive campaign ahead.

Roma drew 2-2 away to Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the new Serie A campaign. Paulo Dybala commented on the performance via social media, saying: "Last match before the start of a new season in Serie A. Beautiful match against a great team in a difficult ground. Everyone did well." The result marked Roma's closing preparation fixture ahead of the 2026-27 league season. Dybala's assessment highlighted the quality of opposition and the conditions at Dortmund's stadium, while acknowledging a collective effort from the squad in a competitive pre-season encounter.

Paulo Dybala delivered a dominant display with goals and assists as Roma won their final warm-up match before the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina, beating Borussia Dortmund in a challenging away fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be pleased with the Argentine's performance, though the club continues to pursue a left-winger option in the transfer market. The match served as the dress rehearsal for Roma's top-flight campaign, with Dybala's two-goal advantage putting the Giallorossi in control. Gasperini has had the chance to assess his squad in competitive conditions before the immediate demands of domestic football resume. On social media, ahead of the Serie A opener against Fiorentina, Dybala commented on the team's showing: "Last match before the start of a new season in Serie A. Beautiful match against a great team in a difficult stadium. Everyone played well."

Roma's final pre-season friendly ended in a 2–2 draw against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, with Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante scoring for the Giallorossi. The Argentine's performance offered the most encouraging sign of the day as Roma prepared for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Debutants Nahuel Molina and Konstantinos Koulierakis featured in the closing stages, while the squad showed improvement compared to earlier summer matches, though Gasperini's side remain in preparation mode ahead of the campaign. Mile Svilar made several crucial saves to prevent a defeat, earning 6.5/10 for a demanding performance. Dybala orchestrated Roma's attacking play with precision, unlocking chances with a left-foot finish to open the scoring and crafting a poetic pass for Castro in the box. Cristante doubled the lead with a header just ten minutes after Dybala's opener. Defensively, Gianluca Mancini (6.0), Evan N'Dicka (6.0), and Mario Hermoso (5.5) had mixed afternoons against Dortmund's pressure; Hermoso in particular struggled against Karetsis. Elsewhere, Devyne Rensch squandered a clear opportunity, Matías Soulé showed flashes but lacked sharpness, and Donyell Malen provided service without imposing himself heavily on the match.

Roma played their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, with kickoff at 17:30. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini left Molina on the bench and deployed Lulli at left-back in Wesley's absence. Donyell Malen led the attack in a 3-4-2-1 formation that also featured Mile Svilar in goal, a back line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, midfielders Devyne Rensch, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante and Lulli, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in support. The match offered Gasperini a chance to assess the squad's development ahead of the new season. Dortmund lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under coach Kovac, with Gregor Kobel in goal and Serhou Guirassy leading their attack. Roma had several players available on the bench, including De Marzi, Pierluigi Gollini, Koulierakis, Castro, Manu Koné, Molina, Jan Ziółkowski, Mannini, Reale, Robinio Vaz, Morucci and Daniele Ghilardi.

AS Roma close their pre-season programme against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini using the fixture as a final dress rehearsal before the league campaign begins. The international-standard test comes just days before Roma's competitive debut and offers Gasperini a last chance to assess squad fitness, run through tactical ideas, and resolve outstanding questions ahead of the official start. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, Devyne Rensch, and Matías Soulé across midfield and wing positions. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen support Artem Dovbyk in attack. After weeks of preparation at Trigoria and at the summer training base, the clash against the Germans represents a significant opportunity to measure the team's progress and condition. Borussia Dortmund start in a 3-4-1-2 shape under manager Niko Kovac. Following this encounter, Roma's focus shifts entirely to the start of Serie A.