Derren Howard at Brighton v Roma: Four things I learned from Albion's pre-season win
· Derren Howard · 2026-08-10 · nguồn gốc
Derren Howard at Brighton v Roma: Four things I learned from Albion's pre-season win
All the latest reaction from Brighton’s pre-season 3-0 win against Roma from the Amex Stadium
Brighton looked quite comfortable on Saturday as they enjoyed a pre-season victory against Serie A's Roma at the Amex Stadium.
A brace from Yasin Ayari and a fine strike from Georginio did the damage against a Roma team that looked decent for 20 minutes but then faded badly.
There was also an impressive home debut for £50m record signing Luka Vuskovic and encouraging second half cameos for wingers Ibrahim Osman and Zadok Yohanna.
Four things we learnt:
Luka Vuskovic looks good
Brighton went all out to secure the Croatina's services as they smashed their club record in a £50m deal to sign the 19-year from Tottenham. He performed well on the pitch against Roma, he looked calm and assured in possession and looks to have the physicality to deal with the Premier League.
Two impressive crunching tackles in the first half under-lined this point. His partnership with Olivier Boscagli also looked encouraging and give Hurzeler plenty of centre back options ahead of the new season. Lewis Dunk came on in the second half, but Pascal Struijk is managing a small injury.
I spoke to Vuskovic in the mixed zone after the match. He's friendly, confident and just as composed as his performances on the pitch. He could be a real asset for the Seagulls.
Georginio the No 9
This performance would have done his confidence no harm at all. The £40m Frenchman struggled last season and the majority of the back end of the campaign on the bench. His best role is the No 10 but against Roma he played as the main striker, as the Seagulls start life without Danny Welbeck.
Georginio looked sharp and opened the scoring with a fine curling effort into the top corner. He also provided a nice assist for Yasin Ayari's second goal and Brighton's third.
Can he be Albion's regular No 9 this season? That's a tough ask but he showed against Roma that he's certainly a contender - especially if Brighton don't sign a striker between now and the end of the window.
Minteh injury
The flying Gambian looked really dangerous against Roma and it was a major concern to see him limp off on 60 minutes. Minteh will be assessed and scanned but he has to be a doubt for the start of the new season. It may stop persistent transfer talk but it also weakens Hurzeler's attack if Minteh is not fully fit and firing.
Albion's other first choice winger Kaoru Mitoma also remains on the sidelines as he continues his comeback from hamstring surgery. That's a problem for Brighton.
Diego Gomez can play on either flank and Minteh-Mitoma injuries could also give early chances for the likes of Amario Cozier Duberry, Ibrahim Osman and Zadok Yohanna. Both Osman and Yohanna had decent cameos from the bench against Roma.
Baleba is needed
Despite the impressive display, Brighton still need Baleba back. The Cameroon international is out with an ankle issue and as yet there is no time frame on his return. Baleba needs to get back to the form of two seasons ago where he was one of the most powerful and impactful performers in the Premier League.
Albion have Pascal Gross and Yasin Ayari but no-one to match the quality of peak Baleba. It has be said though that Ayari continues to impress and his two goals against Roma shows that he's carried on his fine form from the World Cup.