Sussex

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Brighton continued their pre-season preparations with a fine 3-0 win over Roma at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Gerorginio Rutter put the Seagulls in front on the half hour mark with a spectacular curling effort from 20 yards before Yasin Ayari scored either side of half time to secure the win.

Record signing from Tottenham Luka Vuskovic impressed in the centre of Fabian Hurzeler's defence, while fellow new arrivals Costinha and Zadoc Yohanna also featured as second half substitutes.

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Brighton have confirmed Facundo Buonanotte has joined La Liga side Elche on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old attacker joined the Seagulls from Rosario Central in January 2023 and has made 50 appearances, scoring five goals.

Buonanotte spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Leicester City, and was loaned to Chelsea then Leeds last season.

Brighton Sporting director, Mike Cave said: "Facundo is a talented young player who has continued to develop since joining the club. This loan gives him the opportunity to play regular football in one of Europe's top leagues.

"We believe this move will provide an excellent environment for him to gain further experience, and we'll continue to monitor his progress closely throughout the season."

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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There was a generally positive feel to this season's Fans' Forum and it was no surprise the issue of Danny Welbeck's departure was seized upon straight away. There was also a fair amount of concern of the loss of so much experience on and off the pitch over the summer.

A resolute response indicated a full focus on pushing forward, accepting the realities of the Premier League and stiff resolves in the decision making by the club in its transfer and retention policy.

The name checking of young players, a desire to do well in the Conference League and changes to the Amex Stadium were also discussed in a pacy, fun evening. The event is as good as its questions and there were plenty of interesting topics under the microscope.

Below you can read several questions and answers from the night.

You can listen to the Fans Forum in full on BBC Sounds here or hit play below.

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In the final instalment of the Brighton Fans' Forum, Paul Barber answers a question on matchday ticketing and Fabian Hurzeler explains how he keeps a harmonious team.

Question: What work is being done to stop away fans from getting tickets in the home end? It stops proper fans getting tickets.

Paul Barber answered: "Unfortunately, a large proportion of those tickets are being sold by Brighton fans. So the first thing we've got to do is take care of ourselves and not do that.

"We've made it very clear that if home fans sell tickets on the black market then it creates tension in the stadium and it makes fans upset.

"There's another percentage of people that may live locally and buy memberships. It's very difficult for us as a club to determine that those people aren't fans of other clubs. It's only when they out themselves that we can take any kind of action.

"The largest majority will be our own fans selling them on. We have to stop doing that because it doesn't help the team."

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Question: The club has brought in three centre-halves so are you intending on playing a different way this season? Or with the news Carlos Baleba is injured, will one of them be playing in the midfield? If not, how will you keep everyone happy?

Fabian Hurzeler answered: "It's a big challenge for a coach to make everyone happy.

"You have to be clear that in certain moments you will disappoint players, but how you can handle that is with honesty.

"We were quite successful with a back four, but I don't want to work that much with formations. I work with principles because no matter if you play a back four or five, they have to deal with situations. If they can do that then it gives me the flexibility to change the formation.

"We will stick to the back four, but we have the flexibility which is a great situation to have as a coach.

"In regards to the injury to Carlos [Baleba], I am hopeful that it is not that bad and that we will see him back on the pitch quite soon. You don't need to worry that much about him."

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Can't get enough of your beloved League Two club? Fear not.

BBC Sport covers all 24 League Two sides with dedicated online and radio reporters at hand to tell the story from every angle.

Expect match reports, analysis, features and interviews - the works.

We'll also have live text coverage of most League Two matches this season so you won't miss any of the action even when you're out of town.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your League Two team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications which gives you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

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Deputy chairman Paul Barber answered two questions from the audience on this summer's transfer activity during the live Brighton Fans' Forum.

Question: Solly March is possibly going to Crystal Palace and Adam Webster and Danny Welbeck have gone. It's like we're pushing these older players, who are leaders, out and replacing them with inexperienced younger players. Why the change?

Paul Barber answered: "It's football and it's what happens unfortunately. Players can't play forever or at the level we need them to forever.

"We have to make tough decisions and it's never easy. Fans - and I am one too - become attached to players and it's an emotional attachment, but our job is to be unemotional, focused and pragmatic.

"We have to give Fabian the squad that we think, and he thinks, can cope this season in four competitions.

"It's one that you're going to have to trust us on."

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Question: Do you foresee any more incomings, especially to replace Danny Welbeck? Or will there just be more outgoings?

Paul Barber replied: "Maybe and maybe! We don't talk about business that we might do because it's a fool's game.

"What we do know is that we have a big squad already. The players that we have brought in aren't all young. There are some in their mid-twenties and the youngest played in the World Cup this summer.

"We have a great squad around them who have experience as well - like Lewis Dunk, Pascal Gross and Bart Verbruggen.

"The most important thing is to have a balanced squad and players who we think will be fit and available for three games a week.

"The balance is always going to be difficult to strike."

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In the third instalment of the Brighton Fans' Forum, which was live on BBC Radio Sussex on Thursday. Fabian Hurzeler and Paul Barber answered questions from fans around next season's European campaign.

Question: How well do you think the team are going to adapt to playing European football this year as well as balancing the Premier League?

Fabian Hurzeler replied: Statistically, the teams who have to play in Europe might finish a little bit lower in the league than expected.

I want to face this challenge by having a really good and strong squad. We have a bigger squad than last season and one that is capable of playing three times a week.

We see it as an opportunity to give more players the chance to play. Young players need time to develop, but they can only develop by having more game minutes.

We are really excited by this opportunity and to express our style as a club in Europe.

Paul Barber added: I think you guys [the fans] can play a massive part in helping us because if we can get the stadium full and rocking for every European game then that will help carry the players.

It will carry us through the games. You can make the difference.

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Question: Can Brighton win the Conference League this season? I think we can.

Fabian Hurzerler replied: Well if you think we can win it, then I also do!

To play every three days is definitely a challenge and then there is the travel and the emotions for the players.

I think it's important that we stay together. You, the supporters, were a big part in us reaching Europe.

I think we have the squad to compete and achieve things, but we all have to stick together. It's your support and our hard work.

What I can promise, is that every single player, me as the coach and the coaching team, will do everything we can to bring something home that we can celebrate.

Don't forget, you can listen to the full forum on BBC Sounds