Svilar leads Serie A's elite keepers: comparison with Maignan and Sommer confirms his status

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.

Roma are working on a move for Endrick as they strengthen their attack, positioning themselves well in the race for the Brazilian forward. The club has been operating behind the scenes on the operation for several weeks. However, much depends on the player's willingness. Endrick arrived at Real Madrid's pre-season retreat determined to fight for his place under Mourinho despite competition in the attacking department. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, his entourage is pushing for a new loan experience away from the Bernabéu, particularly given his positive spell at Lyon and precedents such as Nico Paz. Endrick himself is not yet convinced about leaving Madrid, a situation that works against Roma's pursuit. The competition for his signature is intense, but sporting director D'Amico continues working to position Roma at the front of the queue should a loan opportunity open up. Gasperini and the club regard Endrick as the ideal profile for his characteristics, age, and quality already demonstrated at the highest level.

Roma are pursuing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born left winger from Porto, as they search for the final piece of their summer transfer puzzle. Director Tony D'Amico has targeted the technically gifted Mora after failed approaches for Greenwood and Summerville, plus wider interest in Nusa and Fofana. Roma have roughly two weeks to complete the deal before their Serie A season opens against Fiorentina. Mora, at 168 centimetres tall, uses his low centre of gravity to excel in tight spaces and in the final third. His former Porto coach praised his ability to play between the lines and his willingness to work hard in defence: "Rodrigo is a player who excels in playing between the lines, in the final pass and in dribbling in the opponent's half. He is a brave young man, who does not feel the weight of playing at such a high level. He works hard always and accepts the responsibility of sacrificing himself in the defensive phase when we do not have the ball." Naturally a number ten, Mora can operate across multiple attacking roles on either flank. D'Amico aims to wrap up the transfer quickly to give Gasperini the attacking winger the club has pursued for a year. Mora represents a prospect with significant growth potential rather than a finished product, offering what Roma see as a strong technical and financial investment for the future.

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.

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.

Roma's pre-season tour of England closed with a 3–0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on 8 August. Georginio Rutter opened the scoring in the 29th minute after Wesley squandered a one-on-one chance against Verbruggen in the 28th, with Yasin Ayari doubling the lead before half-time and completing his brace early in the second half at the 49th minute. The result capped a disappointing week for Gasperini's side, following a heavy loss to Cardiff City, with only an improved performance against Newport offering respite. Wesley's missed opportunity proved decisive; from the resulting counter-attack, Rutter fired past Svilar, and the concession of the opening goal triggered a psychological collapse that Brighton exploited ruthlessly through their pace and directness. Gasperini's Roma controlled stretches of the match and came closest to opening the scoring when Wesley was played through one-on-one in the 28th minute but shot over from a favourable position. The side's lack of clinical finishing and defensive frailty were stark: Brighton's attacks repeatedly found space, particularly down the flanks, and Roma's back line appeared disorganised and slow to react. Svilar made several key saves to prevent a larger scoreline. The heavy rotation Gasperini introduced in the second half, giving opportunities to younger squad members, failed to ignite a response from a team that appeared depleted and lacking intensity. Evan Ferguson, still recovering from injury, was present at the stadium to greet his former teammates before kick-off. Roma's next fixture is a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, a match Gasperini will view as essential for rebuilding confidence and addressing the defensive and mental issues laid bare at the Amex.