← All stories
Fenerbahce v Roma: Champions League kick-off time, TV channels and probable line-ups
·10 September 2026·45d ago

Fenerbahce v Roma: Champions League kick-off time, TV channels and probable line-ups

Source: Il Messaggero – Roma

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years tonight, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. The club has launched its European campaign under the motto "Ad astra" (Towards the stars), with Gasperini's side looking to establish themselves among the competition's elite. Paulo Dybala and his teammates will hear the competition's most famous anthem as they begin their pursuit of a top-24 finish in the league phase—the threshold required to guarantee at least a playoff place for the knockout rounds.

Gasperini has set a clear target: the club must secure at least 12 points to guarantee passage to the round of 16. The fixture marks a significant milestone for Roma, whose return to Europe's premier club competition comes after an absence of seven years. The contest will be broadcast on Sky and Prime Video.

● AI Generated Summary

This summary was generated by an AI model. Always read the source for complete and accurate information.

Story Coverage56 sources on this story

# Roma Draw 1–1 with Fenerbahçe in Champions League Return

Roma returned to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, drawing 1–1 away at Fenerbahçe in Istanbul in the opening match of the competition's new league phase. Bryan Cristante gave Roma the lead in the first half with a long-range strike, but the Giallorossi conceded almost immediately after the restart when Fenerbahçe's Brown capitalised on a defensive lapse to level the match. The result leaves Roma with one point from their opening fixture.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a three-man defence of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as wing-backs. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchored midfield, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen led the attack with Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield role. Gasperini made three substitutions in the 74th minute, bringing on Leonardo Balerdi, Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo Mora. Mile Svilar made crucial saves to keep Roma in the contest. The match was controlled by Roma, who dominated possession at 58 per cent to Fenerbahçe's 42 per cent, though they failed to build on their first-half advantage. Fenerbahçe created the clearer chances after equalising, with a header from Akè striking the crossbar late on.

The draw has secured €50.09 million in Champions League revenue for Roma so far this season, according to Calcio e Finanza. Qualification alone granted €18.62 million, with their current league-phase position contributing at least €275,000, and the draw adding €700,000. The largest component comes from the value pillar, contributing €30.49 million to the club's coffers. Gasperini acknowledged Roma's second-half vulnerability but praised the overall performance and the point secured away from home in a hostile environment. Several radio commentators viewed the result as acceptable, though opinion divided on whether Roma should have won. The draw marks a solid foundation for Roma's European campaign, though the manager acknowledged the need for greater focus when transitioning from a compact defensive shape.

AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.

Testo Originale / Source Text

“giovedì 10 settembre 2026, 09:59 - Ultimo agg. 10:00 1 di 6 1 Minuto di Lettura Ad astra. Così la Roma ha scelto di presentare la sua campagna europea con la formazione giallorossa che torna a giocare in Champions League sette anni dopo l'ultima volta. La squadra di Gasperini punta alle stelle e…”

Read the full article in Italian at Il Messaggero – Roma.

Read original on Il Messaggero – Roma →

More Europe

Roma scouts at Porto v PSV with Sven Mijnans and Bajraktarević on the list
Transfer NewsEurope● AI
3d ago

Roma scouts at Porto v PSV with Sven Mijnans and Bajraktarević on the list

Roma scouts were among those watching Porto against PSV Eindhoven at the Estádio do Dragão in the Champions League, as the club keeps working ahead of the January transfer window to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Sporting director D'Amico is looking for talent to complete the attack and the wide areas, where a left-sided midfield winger is still missing. Scouts from Everton, Manchester United, Brentford and Nottingham Forest were also present, according to English outlet Sport Witness. Many talents featured for PSV as well as for Porto, who are coached by Farioli. Among the possible targets Roma are monitoring is Sven Mijnans, an attacking midfielder born in 2000 who had already been followed in the summer. Also on the list is Bajraktarević, a Bosnian left-sided winger born in 2005. Roma will keep working on these ideas in the coming weeks, as a side that has made a top start still needs reinforcements. Porto's young standouts also drew attention. Oscar Pietuszewski, a right-footed winger born in 2008, is very young. Alberto Costa, a 23-year-old full-back, was close to joining Roma in January 2025.

Hermoso, Balerdi and Ghilardi named in Champions League Team of the Week
Club NewsEurope● AI
3d ago

Hermoso, Balerdi and Ghilardi named in Champions League Team of the Week

Roma's defence has been named in the Sofascore Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, with Mario Hermoso, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi all selected and dominating the back line of the ideal side. The trio's performance earned the recognition after they kept a clean sheet against Slovan Bratislava, the club's first clean sheet in Europe this season, and gave nothing away to Yaya Touré's side. The spotlight on the defence comes as Roma prepare for a big match against Napoli, with the squad continuing its work at Trigoria. The back line has been one of the strengths of the start to the campaign, conceding just three goals in the first seven Serie A matches. The Italian report adds that the award reflects the solid form of a unit that has been central to Roma's strong start, with the three defenders combining for a shutout that underlined the club's improved resilience at the back. Roma are next in action against Napoli, with the squad focused on maintaining that defensive record.

Roma's defence earns Team of the Week honours in Champions League after Slovan Bratislava win
EuropeAnalysis● AI
3d ago

Roma's defence earns Team of the Week honours in Champions League after Slovan Bratislava win

Roma's central defenders Hermoso, Balerdi and Ghilardi have been named in Sofascore's Team of the Week for the latest Champions League round, after a performance that kept Slovan Bratislava out completely. The three Roma defenders gave away nothing to the side coached by Yaya Touré. Roma have conceded only three goals in their first seven Serie A matches, a record built on a back line that is growing more solid despite the absence of several players who were fundamental in recent years. The arrivals of Balerdi and Koulierakis, and the continued development of Ghilardi, have given Gasperini the option to rest two first-team regulars, Ndicka and Mancini. Sofascore's selection was described as deserved. The Team of the Week's defence, drawn from the best side in the League Phase, was dominated by Gasperini's Roma backline. The selection also includes attackers Doué, Nico Paz, Foden and Ngumoha from the wider group of top clubs in the competition.

More on Paulo Dybala

Player profile →
Soulé shines at the Maradona temple and now has Roma's leadership role
Match ReportSerie A● AI
1h ago

Soulé shines at the Maradona temple and now has Roma's leadership role

Matías Soulé was the standout performer as Roma beat Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, scoring his third Serie A goal of the season. The Argentine forward carried the side on his shoulders, and the strike is considered one of the finest he has scored since joining the club. Soulé scored the same number of league goals at this stage last season, but this season he looks like a different player: more of a leader, and not missing Paulo Dybala's absence. Sofascore's data underline his all-round display: four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, eight duels won, four successful dribbles and the same number of ball recoveries. He was valuable both in attack and in defensive work. This summer Soulé came close to leaving the club. Arab clubs knocked on the door, but he never wanted to leave Roma and chose to stay in football's biggest arena. It is an understandable decision for a 23-year-old. Next up is Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is again expected to lead the line. Dybala is improving and will be called up, but he is expected to return from the first minute against Udinese. Soulé is ready to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. The groin problem (pubalgia) that held him back last year is no longer an issue, and he has also earned a place in the Argentina national team.

Dybala closes in on Cagliari return after partial training with the group
InjurySquad News● AI
1h ago

Dybala closes in on Cagliari return after partial training with the group

Paulo Dybala trained partially with the squad at Trigoria this morning, a strong sign that he is close to full recovery from the calf muscle injury that kept him out of the matches against Genoa, Slovan Bratislava and Napoli. Gian Piero Gasperini will be pleased with the test, and Dybala is aiming to be available at least on the bench for Tuesday evening's clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. There was also positive news on Mile Svilar, who could be back in time for Roma's Champions League trip to Manchester United on 3 November. The double boost comes as Roma look to strengthen their squad ahead of a busy stretch of fixtures. Dybala's return would give Gasperini an important attacking option for the home game against Cagliari, while Svilar's availability for the trip to Old Trafford would be a welcome boost in goal for the Champions League fixture.

Gasperini to hold pre-Cagliari press conference as Dybala nears return
Press ConferenceInjury● AI
2h ago

Gasperini to hold pre-Cagliari press conference as Dybala nears return

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his usual eve-of-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30 ahead of Roma's Serie A ninth-round clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening. The coach is expected to address the team's condition, the threats posed by the opponents and the recovery progress of injured players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, with Dybala potentially back in the matchday squad. The build-up follows a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Napoli, in which Roma twice rescued a point after falling behind. Having drawn level twice, the Giallorossi now turn their attention straight to the home fixture against Cagliari, a game that carries significant weight as the team looks to build on that resilient display. Gasperini's briefing will give supporters a first official update on the squad's fitness ahead of the midweek fixture. Dybala's possible return would be a boost for Roma's attack, while the availability of Svilar and Koné will also be closely watched as the coach finalises his selection for the match at the Olimpico.

Feedback