Sunderland rounded off their stay in Portugal with a 2-0 defeat against reigning Europa Conference League champions Roma in Albufeira. The Black Cats were well-beaten by Jose Mourinho's Serie A side, who hit the woodwork twice before subs Felix Afena-Gyan and Nicolo Zaniolo scored their goals inside the final quarter-of-an-hour.
Ex-Manchester United defender Chris Smalling rattled the post in the first period, with Zaniolo doing likewise in the second. In comparison, with no Ross Stewart as an attacking focal point, Sunderland looked toothless and they barely tested Roma keeper Mile Svilar.
The result, of course, was secondary with the priority for Alex Neil to continue building his players' fitness ahead of the new season. To that end his starting XI contained only four players who had also begun the abandoned weekend friendly against Rangers.
