Malen on Ronaldo comparisons, his favourite goal and why he chose Roma

Roma spent the penultimate day of their United Kingdom pre-season tour in transit to Brighton on 7 August, departing Vale Resort after a final training session in the morning before flying to London at 18:00 and travelling by coach to the south coast. Brighton's official social media channels welcomed the Giallorossi with a video set to Lando Fiorini's 'Forza Roma', the club's anthem. Paulo Dybala and his teammates arrived at the Maldron Hotel in the evening, where they stayed overnight ahead of tomorrow's friendly. The fixture against Brighton takes place at the Amex Stadium at 16:00 Italian time on 8 August, marking the first meeting between the sides since their Europa League encounter two years ago. Roma will return to the capital immediately after the match, with training resuming on Tuesday. The club's pre-season schedule concludes with a final test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August before the Serie A season opener on 24 August against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

AS Roma concluded their time at the Vale Resort in Wales on 7 August, with the squad departing for Brighton as their pre-season tour in the United Kingdom entered its final stages. The players completed their last training session in the morning before flying to London at 18:00 and travelling by coach to Brighton. The CEO was present for the transfer to the south coast. Roma are in the closing days of their UK tour ahead of the 2026–27 season under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club has been active in the transfer market this summer, and the journey to Brighton marks a key moment in their preparations for the new campaign. The pre-season schedule reflects the club's commitment to building match fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the competitive fixtures to come.

Roma completed their journey to Brighton on 7 August, ending their pre-season training camp in Wales and relocating to England ahead of a friendly fixture at the American Express Stadium on 8 August. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini led the squad to the south-coast club, accompanied by newly appointed CEO John Galantic. The trip marks the final stage of Roma's summer preparation before the 2026–27 season. The club had previously held their training retreat at Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales, before moving to Brighton to conclude their warm-up schedule in the United Kingdom.

Roma will face Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium on 8 August 2026 at 16:00 Italian time. The match comes after Roma's training camp in Wales and friendlies against Cardiff and Newport County. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, midfielders Devyne Rensch, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, and Wesley, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in attacking roles behind striker Donyell Malen. Tickets for the fixture are available through Brighton's official website. The friendly will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text coverage available on ilromanista.eu and radio commentary from Radio Romanista providing real-time updates from the stadium.

Ticket sales have opened for Roma's Serie A season opener against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45 at the Olimpico. The match marks the first competitive fixture of Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure, with the squad preparing after a pre-season camp in Wales and friendly matches. Gasperini's side is awaiting three additional signings to complete the squad. Donyell Malen is set to lead the attack in front of the home crowd for what the club views as an important early test of the season. Tickets are available via the club's official website according to phases and terms communicated by Roma, with pricing and availability varying by sector and sales window. The fixture represents a significant moment for the Giallorossi as they begin their 2026–27 campaign. The Olimpico is expected to provide crucial support from the opening whistle.

Santiago Castro, Roma's summer signing from Bologna for approximately 35 million euros, has declared his ambition to help the club compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from Roma's pre-season training camp in Cardiff, the Argentine forward said: "Certo, ho visto il valore di questo gruppo e possiamo giocarcela con tutti. Perché abbiamo giocatori forti in tutti i reparti e Gasperini è uno dei migliori allenatori d'Italia. Siamo al livello per competere per lo scudetto e per la Coppa Italia. E vogliamo fare bene in Champions. Se sei alla Roma devi ambire a vincere tutto." He added that other Italian clubs had approached him before his move, but that Roma was his only choice. Castro joins a squad already featuring Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, with whom he shares close ties. He said of Soulé: "Con Soulé ci conosciamo da undici anni, giocavamo insieme nel Velez e adesso è incredibile ritrovarsi qui insieme, da uomini e non più da bambini che rincorrevano un pallone sognando l'Europa." The 2004-born forward will compete with Donyell Malen for attacking minutes. On that rivalry, Castro stated: "Assolutamente no, io e Donny saremo in competizione per giocare tanto, ma soprattutto per il bene della squadra. Questa sana rivalità mi farà crescere tanto. Malen è un attaccante fortissimo, ci alterneremo, potremo anche giocare insieme."