Banfi: Roma will need their best performance in the Champions League

Roma will take the pitch against Fenerbahce tomorrow with the logo of the World Food Programme (WFP) displayed on their shirts as part of a humanitarian appeal. The collaboration between the club and the global aid organisation aims to draw attention to the emergency in Nepal caused by flooding and landslides that have devastated communities. The initiative will be visible from the moment Gian Piero Gasperini's squad enters the stadium for matchday 1 of the Champions League, with the WFP logo appearing on the front of Roma's jersey. According to the club, the natural disasters have left entire communities isolated, with approximately 43,000 people requiring immediate humanitarian assistance. The World Food Programme is providing food aid and logistical support to reach the most difficult-to-access areas. Roma is linking one of the most significant nights of the season to a solidarity initiative, using Champions League visibility to raise awareness internationally about the situation in Nepal. The match-worn shirts will be auctioned after the final whistle, with all proceeds going to WFP operations supporting the Nepalese population. Roma supporters can also contribute through ShareTheMeal, the World Food Programme's platform. The initiative extends beyond the pitch result, transforming the jerseys worn during the Champions League encounter into a concrete tool of support for communities affected by the flooding and landslides.

Roma will display the World Food Programme logo on their shirts for tomorrow's Champions League Phase League match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, replacing their regular Eurobet.live sponsor due to restrictions in Turkey. The initiative supports Nepal, which has been devastated by recent floods and landslides that have affected around 43,000 people requiring immediate humanitarian assistance. The shirt will carry the message "Together for Nepal". The club's solidarity campaign extends beyond the final whistle. The match-worn shirts will be auctioned, with proceeds directed to the World Food Programme's relief efforts in Nepal. Roma supporters can also contribute through ShareTheMeal, the WFP's platform for public donation. The gesture marks Roma's Champions League campaign with a humanitarian focus as the continent's displaced communities face ongoing crisis.

Torino's prefect Donato Cafagna has confirmed a ban on ticket sales to residents of Rome's metropolitan area for the Serie A fixture on Monday 14 September at 18:30 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The restrictions, imposed on public order and safety grounds, prevent Roma supporters living in Rome from attending the away section. Tickets for the Roma supporters' section can only be purchased by holders of AS Roma's loyalty programme who live outside Rome's provinces. The tickets are non-transferable and cannot be passed to other people. The measure stems from violence at the previous meeting between the clubs on 18 January, when incidents occurred before the match. Both Roma and Torino supporters have been reported in connection with those events, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. The authorities have responded by implementing restrictive measures for the new encounter, the fourth round of Serie A. The decision follows the determination of the Committee for the Analysis of Sports Event Security and renders it impossible for Roma supporters residing in Rome's metropolitan area to attend the stadium.

Roma will face Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase on Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul. It is Roma's first Champions League appearance in seven years. Gasperini, managing Roma in the competition for only the second time in his career, said in his press conference: "I am curious to see this Roma in the Champions League, we will encounter the best clubs from every championship and we must be good at maintaining our identity." Mario Hermoso echoed the importance of the occasion, stating: "This competition represents a very important milestone for us but we want to make it a constant." The squad is in good condition with the exception of Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is not included in the matchday selection. Gasperini confirmed Roma will be able to use rotation and changes during the campaign. The manager cited the recent victory over Atalanta as having given the team "energy and strength." Fenerbahçe's manager offered praise for Roma's prospects, saying the club "has the strongest squad in its history."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League return, confirming that Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the trip to Istanbul through injury. Roma face Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45 in the first matchday of the league phase. Antonio Arena is also unavailable. Ahead of the fixture, Gasperini outlined Roma's approach to Europe's elite competition. "We will encounter top teams in their respective leagues and especially sides with extraordinary players who can change the result even in a balanced match thanks to their individual quality," the coach said. "We need to know this and try to control it, but we also need to be very good at not losing our identity, to have confidence in our means and know that we can also put opponents in difficulty." Defender Mario Hermoso, who impressed in Roma's recent Serie A win against Atalanta, addressed the step up in competition. "To play a great match tomorrow we need to know what the opponent's strongest points are. We have done that work. For us this is a new competition and we need to raise our level compared to Serie A. The best teams play in this cup and these types of matches. You have to have a great season to play them, so we are happy. We have the will to make a great start to the Champions League here in Istanbul." Meanwhile, Fabio Maresca will referee Torino v Roma on Monday at 18:30 in Serie A's fourth round. Maresca will be assisted by Tegoni and Fontani, with Sozza as fourth official; Aureliano and Ghersini will operate VAR. Maresca has refereed Roma 20 times in his career—more than any team except Lazio—with a record of 9 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats. Most recently he oversaw the May Derby della Capitale won 2–0 by Gasperini's side, goals from Gianluca Mancini.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference on 9 September ahead of Roma's Champions League debut against Fenerbahce, citing the recent comeback victory over Atalanta as a source of renewed energy and strength for the group. Gasperini stated: "In this moment we are all well, apart from Pellegrini." The win in midweek appeared to have lifted Roma's mood as they prepare for their opening fixture in the league phase. Gasperini expressed curiosity about seeing this Roma side perform in the Champions League, with Paulo Dybala in good form. The squad's overall condition and morale have improved following the comeback result. Roma face Fenerbahce in their first European match of the 2026-27 season. Pellegrini remains the only absence from Gasperini's available squad.

Gian Piero Gasperini will largely keep faith with the Roma side that faced Atalanta, with only one enforced change for the Champions League opener at Fenerbahçe. Rodrigo Mora returns to the squad after missing that fixture, while Nahuel Molina is poised to make his first start for the club. Emanuele Lulli will drop out of the line-up. Roma enter their Champions League campaign on the back of their third-place finish in Serie A last season, which secured automatic qualification for the league phase. Gasperini has overseen an immediate uplift in the side's form and morale since his appointment in 2025, with Paulo Dybala among those back to full fitness. The manager has indicated his squad is ready for the continental stage, despite the short turnaround from domestic action.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke on the eve of Roma's opening Champions League League Phase match against Fenerbahce about the demands of a crowded fixture schedule. With three matches coming up before the international break, Gasperini highlighted the importance of squad rotation. "Now we have three matches," he said. "After the international break we'll have nine in a month." The head coach emphasised that Roma now possess the players capable of handling such intensity through tactical changes. Gasperini also noted that Paulo Dybala is in good condition and that Roma are stronger with him in the side. Mario Hermoso praised the transformation under Gasperini, saying the players are now happy and eager to make Champions League nights a regular occurrence at the club.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference on 9 September ahead of Roma's Champions League debut against Fenerbahce, citing the recent comeback victory over Atalanta as a source of renewed energy and strength for the group. Gasperini stated: "In this moment we are all well, apart from Pellegrini." The win in midweek appeared to have lifted Roma's mood as they prepare for their opening fixture in the league phase. Gasperini expressed curiosity about seeing this Roma side perform in the Champions League, with Paulo Dybala in good form. The squad's overall condition and morale have improved following the comeback result. Roma face Fenerbahce in their first European match of the 2026-27 season. Pellegrini remains the only absence from Gasperini's available squad.