Brighton’s first foray into European knockout competition looks set to end after a first-leg thumping at a resurgent Roma side which leaves them looking unlikely to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
Two Seagulls defensive errors in an entertaining first half did the damage before Roma took full control after the break.
The hosts took an early lead when Paulo Dybala slotted in the first after Brighton were undone by a long, straight pass from Leandro Paredes.
Albion gradually grew into the game, hitting the post through Simon Adingra’s deflected cross while Danny Welbeck forced an instinctive save from Roma keeper Mile Svilar.
But they fell further behind when Lewis Dunk’s poor touch was pounced on and punished by Romelu Lukaku just before half-time.
Brighton continued to play boldly and bravely after the break as they searched for a way back into the game.
However, they were hit by a sucker punch when Gianluca Mancini slid in a third, and quickly conceded again through Bryan Cristante’s header.
Roberto de Zerbi’s side continued to try and salvage something to take back to the Amex Stadium, but were unable to narrow the deficit before the second leg next Thursday (14 March).
Stark reminder of how far Brighton have come
Brighton fans of a certain age still have to pinch themselves when they think about how far the club has come in the past 30 years.
From struggling in the depths of the Football League and facing liquidation in 1997, the Seagulls’ stunning rise has led to competing abroad for the first time.
De Zerbi’s side topped their Europa League group ahead of Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens – three high-profile clubs with established pedigree – and a trip to Rome was the latest destination on a memorable European tour.
But there is a huge gulf between Brighton and Roma in terms of experience at the highest level – as a club and in personnel on the pitch.
The latter showed in a bad night for the Seagulls.
In front of a sell-out crowd of more than 64,000 passionate fans, Roma used their energy to make a positive start and were rewarded when Paredes teed up Dybala – two players who both helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup – for the opener.
Brighton eventually settled down to pose a threat, but were unable to take their chances and were ruthlessly punished by Lukaku.
A long ball forward was misjudged by Dunk, who took a heavy touch when trying to control it with his thigh, and was muscled out of the way before the Belgium striker emphatically drilled a low strike past Steele.
It was a harsh lesson about the quality of the Giallorossi, who have been resurgent under Daniele de Rossi.
The Roma legend replaced Jose Mourinho in January, galvanising the club and allowing his reinvigorated team to play with more freedom.
Brighton could perhaps be accused of playing with a touch of naivety, continuing to pile forward in search of a foothold in the tie but leaving gaping holes at the back.
The manner in which they easily conceded twice in three second-half minutes was a concern and, barring an unbelievable second-leg turnaround, effectively ended their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
