Malen's World Cup struggles: clash with Dutch coach over poor form and place at risk

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.

Manu Koné's future at Roma remains uncertain despite Manchester United's pursuit failing to materialise. The French midfielder will return to Gasperini's squad from Tuesday following the post-World Cup break, but could still leave the capital in the coming weeks. Chelsea have emerged as a serious threat to sign him, according to Il Messaggero. The Blues risk losing Enzo Fernández to Manchester City, who are expected to part with Rodri in the coming hours and are also monitoring Buoaddi as a Spanish alternative. Should that move go through, Xabi Alonso's side would be positioned to make their move for Koné. Gasperini offered clarity on Roma's transfer stance in the aftermath of Brighton–Roma, telling reporters: "I don't know if we will avoid departures. We have a chief executive; you should ask him these questions." The conditional nature of any Chelsea move means Roma's position on selling the number 17 remains a critical variable in whether negotiations progress.

Roma returned to Italy on the afternoon of 8 August following a 3–0 friendly defeat to Brighton during their ten-day training camp in Wales and England. The squad travelled by coach to London before boarding a direct flight to Fiumicino. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini granted his players two full days of rest before resuming work. Training resumes on Tuesday at the Fulvio Bernardini centre in Trigoria, where Lorenzo Pellegrini will rejoin the group. Gasperini also expects to have Nahuel Molina on the pitch the same day. The Argentine right-back is set to arrive in Rome in the coming days to undergo medical tests ahead of signing his contract with Roma.

Roma's English pre-season tour ended in concern after a 3–0 defeat at Brighton laid bare significant defensive lapses and attacking impotence. The performance revealed delays both in physical conditioning and the absorption of tactical patterns, leaving Roma having conceded 11 goals across their last four friendly outings. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed open frustration on the touchline, demanding greater midfield screening and emphasising the urgent need to activate the team's intensity. The match highlighted glaring defensive oversights and minimal cutting edge up front. Devyne Rensch came under constant pressure on the counter-attack from Yankuba Minteh, while Mario Hermoso had an off day in marking Georginio Rutter. Donyell Malen showed signs of being short of match fitness. The attacking partnership of Santiago Castro and Paulo Dybala made little impression on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. With two weeks remaining before Roma's competitive league debut, Gasperini will have crucial time to accelerate both recruitment and work at Trigoria to correct these problems.

Roma's pre-season tour of England ended in a heavy 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Goals from Georginio and a double from Ayari condemned the Giallorossi to a sluggish, listless performance that prompted immediate concern from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. "Terrible: a poor performance, lacking the right concentration. We're struggling to switch on, but we think we can fix it soon," Gasperini said after the match. The squad returns to Trigoria on Tuesday for group training, which will mark Nahuel Molina's first session with the team. Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury layoff extends beyond initial expectations, with Gasperini warning recovery will take at least a month and the matter will be reassessed in September. The coach also urged patience for players returning from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen among them—as Roma prepare for Serie A's start in a fortnight. On the transfer front, Gasperini confirmed changes to the squad. "We replaced Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro, then Koulierakis arrived. But numerically we still need something. D'Amico is negotiating very young but important players," he said, referencing director Tony D'Amico's ongoing dealings in the market.

Gian Piero Gasperini expressed sharp disappointment with Roma's display in a friendly against Brighton on 8 August, conceding three goals and struggling to build momentum ahead of the new season. The defeat extended Roma's poor run to eleven goals conceded in their last four outings. Gasperini said: "It was a very bad match, without doubt. We put in a poor performance. The feeling I have is that we are struggling to switch on." The coach's frustration extended beyond the pitch to the club's transfer activity. With the squad lacking numerical depth, Gasperini acknowledged Roma are unable to accelerate their transfer business at the pace he had hoped. He stated: "I thought we would be further ahead. We cannot do the market because we have too few players... Numerically it seems to me there is still a need for something. On who to target and how to close we will see. Possible departures? Ask the CEO." Defensive vulnerabilities have become a recurring concern, with Svilar and the entire back line appearing exposed when pressed at speed. Forward Donyell Malen showed signs of being out of condition and overweight. Gasperini's comments underline the urgency Roma face in both the transfer market and regaining the collective shape and understanding that underpinned their previous campaigns.