Source: Forza Roma
Roma played Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League on 8 September 2026 in Istanbul, with Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano in charge. The match saw several refereeing decisions under scrutiny in a detailed analysis of key moments.
A significant VAR error occurred in the 31st minute when Gil Manzano correctly awarded Roma a corner, but the VAR team, led by César Soto Grado, chose to overturn the decision and award a throw-in to Fenerbahce instead. The error was compounded because Muldur had made the last contact with the ball, and there was no clear error to justify VAR intervention under protocol.
In the 19th minute, Muldur committed a foul on Wesley after Wesley had already released the ball, but Gil Manzano did not caution the Fenerbahce player. Rensch received the first booking of the match in the 47th minute for a foul on Brown. Brown himself was cautioned in the 51st minute for a foul on Dybala. The full officiating team included assistants Diego Barbero and Guadalupe Porras Ayuso, with Valentín Gómez as AVAR and Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official.
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Roma returned to Champions League football this evening for the first time in seven years, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium with kickoff at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had his full squad available except Lorenzo Pellegrini, who was absent due to injury. The match carried historical weight: this was the first official meeting between the two clubs, though Fenerbahce arrived unbeaten across their last seven UEFA competition matches, having won their last three European home fixtures against Italian opposition without conceding. By contrast, Roma have not lost in five European away matches and won five consecutive games against Turkish opposition, four with clean sheets.
The tactical battle centred on Fenerbahce's attempt to exploit their traditionally hostile home environment against Roma's commitment to maintain their aggressive approach. Gasperini told the press conference he expected intensity: "The stadium will be hot and we'll see what our personality is like. It will be a test, but I'm confident because it will be tough for them too." Defender Mario Hermoso reinforced the message, stating the team would play "with the same identity and mentality" shown domestically. According to multiple outlets, Gasperini was expected to field the same eleven that defeated Atalanta on Saturday, with Nahuel Molina replacing Emanuele Lulli at right-back.
Over 2,300 Roma supporters travelled to Istanbul, with the club organising mandatory shuttle transport from a Fan Meeting Point at Piazza Sultanahmet, with the first departure at 15:45. Local authorities placed the Roma squad's hotel under extensive security measures, including 24-hour police patrols, metal detectors and mobile phone surrender, reflecting Turkish anti-terrorism protocols. The club advised supporters not to wear Roma colours outside the designated away sector in the north-east section due to potential contact with rival supporters.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“La Roma torna a giocare in Champions a Istanbul contro il Fenerbahce di Kartal. Ad arbitrare la sfida è Jesús Gil Manzano, coadiuvato dagli assistenti Diego Barbero e Guadalupe Porras Ayuso. Al VAR César Soto Grado, con Valentín Gómez nel ruolo di AVAR e Juan Martínez Munuera come IV uomo. 85' -…”
Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.
Roma faced Fenerbahce in Istanbul for the first matchday of the Champions League league phase, but the broadcast proved difficult for many supporters in Rome. Sky Sport channels experienced reception problems during the afternoon as a violent downpour struck the city, causing malfunctions that extended to television signal transmission throughout the capital.
The Friedkin ownership made sure not to miss Roma's opening Champions League fixture this evening against Fenerbahce in Turkey, with Corbin Friedkin, the younger brother of vice-president Ryan Friedkin, present in the stands. The attendance underscored the ownership's commitment to Gasperini's project. CEO Galantic said: "With the ownership there have been a lot of messages today and there will be more during the match. There is one of them here this evening, they are excited and they are inside this project. They are silent, they will have their own style but they are really very much involved also at an emotional level." Corbin had also been present at the Olimpico on 4 May for the 4–0 win over Fiorentina, an appearance Gasperini described at the time as "a signal for the future". The presence of the Texas-based ownership at tonight's match in Istanbul signals the continuity of their involvement in the club's European campaign and first-team affairs under the new head coach.
Minutes before kick-off in the Fenerbahçe–Roma match, the former Lazio striker Muriqi staged a brief confrontation with a Roma staff member. He left the warm-up area, crossed the halfway line and moved towards the section where Roma's players were preparing, aiming to incite the crowd on that side of the pitch. A Roma staff member took exception to the gesture, approached him and instructed him to return to his side of the field. The incident carried the flavour of a derby encounter, fitting for the ex-Lazio player. Muriqi started the match and led Fenerbahçe's attacking line.
Roma kick off their Champions League campaign against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming a strong starting lineup. Gasperini has retained the core of Roma's winning run this season, with one change: Devyne Rensch starts at left-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Paulo Dybala takes his regular place in attack, flanking Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Rodrigo Mora is unused among the substitutes, expected to come on in the second half if needed. Nahuel Molina's first-team debut from the start is postponed. Roma field: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen. Among the squad available from the bench are De Marzi, Gollini, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Molina, De Roon, Pisilli, Mora and Castro. Fenerbahce start with Ederson in goal and deploy Muriqi as their centre-forward, supported by Mason Greenwood and Ferdi Aktörkoglu in attacking midfield. The Turkish side's squad includes Raphaël Varane in their defensive ranks.
Roma return to the UEFA Champions League on 10 September at 18:45 local time away to Fenerbahçe in the first matchday of the League Phase, with the match at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named an attacking formation, deploying a 3-4-1-2 shape with Matías Soulé operating behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen pairing. The official Roma lineup reads: Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante (captain), Manu Koné and Wesley across the midfield; Soulé in the number ten role; and Dybala and Malen leading the attack.
Roma drew 2–2 with Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on 10 September 2026 in a Champions League league-phase fixture. Bryan Cristante gave Roma the lead in the 40th minute, but Fenerbahçe equalized through Brown in the 47th minute to level the match. Roma lined up in a 3–4–1–2 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Devyne Rensch, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka, Wesley at left-back, and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as the front pair. Matías Soulé operated in midfield alongside Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné, with Dybala just behind the strikers. Gasperini made tactical substitutions in the second half, withdrawing Rensch, Mancini and Soulé in the 73rd minute to bring on Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi and Rodrigo Mora. Koné was replaced by Niccolò Pisilli in the 53rd minute. The match saw bookings for Rensch in the 47th minute and Brown twice over for Fenerbahçe in the 50th minute. Referee Gil Manzano of Spain oversaw the fixture, with VAR operated by Soto Grado.
Roma started their Champions League League Phase campaign against Fenerbahce on 10 September with Devyne Rensch and Paulo Dybala in the starting lineup. Gian Piero Gasperini named a side featuring Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and a midfield of Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné supporting Matías Soulé in an attacking role behind Dybala and Donyell Malen. Fenerbahce fielded Ederson in goal with a defence of Muldur, Skriniar, Aké and Brown, and fielded Mason Greenwood among their attacking players. The match was refereed by Gil Manzano, with assistants Barbero and Ayuso, fourth official Munuera, VAR Soto Grado and assistant VAR Gomez.
Devyne Rensch spoke to Sky Sport before Roma's Champions League match against Fenerbahce, expressing confidence in the team's preparation for the encounter. "I hope it's a good match," Rensch said. "There's no doubt that Fenerbahce are a good side with quality players. They're strong both defensively and offensively, we need to be ready and match the situation. We are. They'll start strong and we need to be strong for that and for the challenge ahead." On Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival and tactical approach, Rensch was positive. "It's going well, very well. I like it a lot, and the other lads in the dressing room do too. The most important thing is always victory of course, and the whole squad and I individually are very happy," he said. Rensch also praised the arrival of compatriot Marten de Roon. "My relationship with him is very good. I've already played with him for the national team and I'm pleased with his arrival. I think he can be a big help to this Roma, both in midfield and outside it. I'm very happy he's come to us," Rensch concluded.
Roma kick off their Champions League campaign against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming a strong starting lineup. Gasperini has retained the core of Roma's winning run this season, with one change: Devyne Rensch starts at left-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Paulo Dybala takes his regular place in attack, flanking Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Rodrigo Mora is unused among the substitutes, expected to come on in the second half if needed. Nahuel Molina's first-team debut from the start is postponed. Roma field: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen. Among the squad available from the bench are De Marzi, Gollini, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Molina, De Roon, Pisilli, Mora and Castro. Fenerbahce start with Ederson in goal and deploy Muriqi as their centre-forward, supported by Mason Greenwood and Ferdi Aktörkoglu in attacking midfield. The Turkish side's squad includes Raphaël Varane in their defensive ranks.
AS Roma's CEO Guido Galantic spoke ahead of the club's Champions League return on 10 September 2026, stressing the significance of competing in Europe again after seven years, particularly in the season leading to the club's centenary. Galantic addressed the club's summer transfer strategy, confirming that Roma did not sell any major players. "We must, like many clubs, seek a balance between sporting and economic equilibrium that allows us to field the most competitive squad possible while also respecting UEFA parameters, which is not easy," Galantic said. "I thank the ownership and also the players who renewed. Some like Dybala, Pellegrini, Cristante and Mancini took pay cuts to stay at Roma. We managed in the end to reduce the wage bill while increasing the quality of the squad." Galantic underlined that the Friedkin Group's commitment to the Champions League campaign was total, despite their characteristic restraint in public. "They are following us intensely," he explained. "Throughout the evening there will be exchanges of messages. They are excited. They are quiet, they have their own style, but they are really very, very involved also on an emotional level." The return to the continent's elite competition marks a watershed moment for the club under American ownership, coinciding with ambitious plans heading into Roma's centennial celebrations.
Roma started their Champions League League Phase campaign against Fenerbahce on 10 September with Devyne Rensch and Paulo Dybala in the starting lineup. Gian Piero Gasperini named a side featuring Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, and a midfield of Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné supporting Matías Soulé in an attacking role behind Dybala and Donyell Malen. Fenerbahce fielded Ederson in goal with a defence of Muldur, Skriniar, Aké and Brown, and fielded Mason Greenwood among their attacking players. The match was refereed by Gil Manzano, with assistants Barbero and Ayuso, fourth official Munuera, VAR Soto Grado and assistant VAR Gomez.
Roma return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in seven years tonight, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. Under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, the club have framed their European campaign with the motto 'Ad astra' — towards the stars — as they contest football's most prestigious club competition. Dybala and his teammates will hear the competition's famous anthem at the Fenerbahce stadium. Gasperini's stated objective is to finish in the top 24 of the league-phase table to secure qualification for the knockout round playoff stage. According to the roadmap, Roma will need at least 12 points to guarantee a place in the last 16.