Dybala appears at Roma celebration in new kit as fans erupt

AS Roma have filed an appeal with the TAR (regional administrative court) against Torino's decision to partially close the away supporters' section for Monday's match. The closure will restrict attendance to residents of Rome province only, preventing Roma's most vocal supporters from travelling to the stadium. Roma have taken the same stance at other away grounds this season, notably at Lecce, where similar restrictions were imposed. The club has decided to formally challenge the decision rather than accept the partial ban on visiting fans. The fixture takes place on Monday.

Gian Piero Gasperini will oversee his 35th Champions League match as a manager when Roma travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. The coach has opted against rotation and will deploy his strongest available squad on the pitch of the Turkish club. The starting eleven will feature Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Manu Koné and Gianluca Mancini from the first minute. The only change from the previous Serie A fixture against Atalanta concerns the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is set to replace Emanuele Lulli and bring his 37 appearances accumulated across the competition to bear. Gasperini has guided Roma back to Europe's elite competition after the club finished third in Serie A last season. The manager carries a continental record of 12 victories, 9 draws and 13 defeats across his Champions League career. Roma's squad will fly to Turkey on 9 September for a pre-match training session ahead of Gasperini's scheduled press conference at 17:00 Italian time. On the club front, Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico was questioned by the FIGC Federal Prosecutor on 8 September to clarify an incident that occurred after the recent Serie A match against Atalanta. D'Amico provided his account of sustained insults he received from Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi near the Tribuna 1907 and in the stadium car park at the Olimpico. His testimony aligned with statements given by stewards on duty in that section.

Roma supporters from the Rome province have been banned from attending Monday's Serie A match at Torino, scheduled for 18:30. The decision was made on 8 September by the CASMS (Organismo per le manifestazioni sportive), the same body that imposed a similar restriction on Roma fans for the recent visit to Lecce. The club announced immediately that it will lodge an appeal against the ruling, describing the ban as unjust to its supporters and their passion for the team.

Roma are expected to maintain the attacking setup Gian Piero Gasperini has adopted since preseason when they face Fenerbahçe: a central playmaker operating behind two strikers, rather than the traditional two wide attacking midfielders he has historically favoured. This tactical shift has been applied specifically against teams defending with four defenders, particularly those with a deep-lying midfielder that needs to be screened during build-up play. Every opponent Roma have faced so far this season—Fiorentina, Lecce, and Atalanta—has set up with four defenders. Fenerbahçe operates the same system, making the same approach likely for the encounter in Istanbul. The central playmaker role has primarily been filled by Matías Soulé or Rodrigo Mora, positioned behind a strike partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Against Lecce, Soulé operated between a central position and the flank, but the formula has remained consistent across matches. Following his strong display against Atalanta, Soulé appears to have the edge over Mora in Gasperini's selection for the upcoming fixture. The tactical flexibility—shifting from wide support to a more direct central attacking presence—reflects Gasperini's adaptation to opponents' defensive structures as he continues reshaping Roma's approach.

Paulo Dybala will make his first Champions League appearance in five years when Roma travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce, serving as the focal point of Gian Piero Gasperini's attack in the club's return to Europe's elite competition. The Argentine forward, who has played in seven Champions League campaigns during his career, carries the most extensive international experience in Roma's squad and will face former teammates Romelu Lukaku—his partner in attack two seasons ago in the capital—and Mason Greenwood, a target of Roma's interest during the summer transfer window. Dybala started Roma's recent Serie A victory against Atalanta despite a minor physical complaint, demonstrating full commitment over the course of the match. Gasperini intends to rely on his offensive leader whenever physical conditions allow, and with nearly five days of rest since the Atalanta win, Dybala is set to start in Roma's continental debut. The fixture carries significant weight for the Argentine, who will look to guide Roma deep into the tournament after the club's five-year absence from the Champions League.

Gian Piero Gasperini will oversee his 35th Champions League match as a manager when Roma travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. The coach has opted against rotation and will deploy his strongest available squad on the pitch of the Turkish club. The starting eleven will feature Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Manu Koné and Gianluca Mancini from the first minute. The only change from the previous Serie A fixture against Atalanta concerns the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is set to replace Emanuele Lulli and bring his 37 appearances accumulated across the competition to bear. Gasperini has guided Roma back to Europe's elite competition after the club finished third in Serie A last season. The manager carries a continental record of 12 victories, 9 draws and 13 defeats across his Champions League career. Roma's squad will fly to Turkey on 9 September for a pre-match training session ahead of Gasperini's scheduled press conference at 17:00 Italian time. On the club front, Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico was questioned by the FIGC Federal Prosecutor on 8 September to clarify an incident that occurred after the recent Serie A match against Atalanta. D'Amico provided his account of sustained insults he received from Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi near the Tribuna 1907 and in the stadium car park at the Olimpico. His testimony aligned with statements given by stewards on duty in that section.