From Porto to Istanbul: Roma return to Champions League after 2,745 days

Roma will not hold a standard training session on the day of their Champions League opener against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on 10 September at 18:45. Instead, the squad underwent only a light muscle-activation session at the hotel ahead of their debut in the competition's league phase. The last full session came with yesterday evening's final training run following Gasperini and Hermoso's press conference. Gasperini still has decisions to make before kick-off. Nahuel Molina appears certain to start at right-back ahead of Emanuele Lulli, but the forward line remains open. A battle continues between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the role supporting the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce in the league-phase opener at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field largely the same squad that started the season well, with Mile Svilar in goal and a settled back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The main change from the recent match against Atalanta appears to be on the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is favoured over Emanuele Lulli and could make his Roma debut as a starter in the Champions League. Wesley is set to continue on the left wing, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as the central midfield partnership. In the attacking area, Matías Soulé looks set to start at the expense of Rodrigo Mora. The Argentine impressed as a substitute in the Atalanta fixture, delivering an assist and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages. Soulé will operate behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini highlighted Dybala's importance at the pre-match press conference, stating that with the Argentine performing at his best Roma can raise their overall level. Malen remains the focal point of attack and has been Roma's standout performer so far this season. This setup would shift Roma's usual 3-4-1-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Dybala operating freely between the lines and Malen as the most advanced attacker. Gasperini has virtually the full squad available. Lorenzo Pellegrini was not selected despite being close to full fitness, while Devyne Rensch has returned to the available list. The UEFA squad list includes recent arrivals such as Marten de Roon, Molina and Leonardo Balerdi, all eligible for the league phase. Molina is rated 70% likely to start over Lulli, while Soulé is given a 60% chance ahead of Mora. Roma are expected to approach the Champions League return without major upheaval, but with two potential changes: Molina on the right flank and Soulé in the attacking midfield position.

Gian Piero Gasperini takes Roma to Istanbul tonight to face Fenerbahce in his first Champions League match as Roma head coach, marking the culmination of the club's push for continental football since his appointment. The Grugliasco-born coach brings 33 previous European banches with Atalanta and one with Inter in 2011 to the fixture. Roma qualified for this season's Champions League by finishing third in Serie A last season. Gasperini has framed the club's approach with clarity on what success looks like in the competition. "Partaking in this competition is already something important and it is clear that it is different from the league," he said. "What I can ask is for us to be ourselves, because we have arrived to play it with our characteristics and with what we had put on the pitch during the year." The competition presents unfamiliar challenges—opponents from different leagues, elite players capable of shifting match momentum instantly—but Gasperini views his return to Champions League football with Roma as a source of personal satisfaction. Paulo Dybala features centrally in Roma's tactical setup and has impressed early this season. Gasperini praised his consistency: "He is already demonstrating his continuity, because his value is recognised. He has more continuity and when he is on the pitch we are better too." For the manager, this Champions League campaign represents a meaningful milestone: "Even for me it is a satisfaction to find the Champions League again with Roma, it is a greater source of gratification."

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce in the league-phase opener at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field largely the same squad that started the season well, with Mile Svilar in goal and a settled back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The main change from the recent match against Atalanta appears to be on the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is favoured over Emanuele Lulli and could make his Roma debut as a starter in the Champions League. Wesley is set to continue on the left wing, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as the central midfield partnership. In the attacking area, Matías Soulé looks set to start at the expense of Rodrigo Mora. The Argentine impressed as a substitute in the Atalanta fixture, delivering an assist and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages. Soulé will operate behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini highlighted Dybala's importance at the pre-match press conference, stating that with the Argentine performing at his best Roma can raise their overall level. Malen remains the focal point of attack and has been Roma's standout performer so far this season. This setup would shift Roma's usual 3-4-1-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Dybala operating freely between the lines and Malen as the most advanced attacker. Gasperini has virtually the full squad available. Lorenzo Pellegrini was not selected despite being close to full fitness, while Devyne Rensch has returned to the available list. The UEFA squad list includes recent arrivals such as Marten de Roon, Molina and Leonardo Balerdi, all eligible for the league phase. Molina is rated 70% likely to start over Lulli, while Soulé is given a 60% chance ahead of Mora. Roma are expected to approach the Champions League return without major upheaval, but with two potential changes: Molina on the right flank and Soulé in the attacking midfield position.

Roma travel to Fenerbahçe today for their opening Champions League League Phase fixture at 18:45, marking their return to Europe's elite club competition after more than seven years away. Gian Piero Gasperini must settle a pair of selection dilemmas as he prepares his starting eleven. On the right flank, Nahuel Molina's experience is expected to edge out Emanuele Lulli, the 19-year-old who has made three Serie A starts. The main uncertainty centres on attacking midfield, where Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are competing for the role. Soulé arrives in form after scoring the winning goal against Atalanta on Saturday, while Mora is regarded as better suited to the pure trequartista position. Gasperini has also tested Niccolò Pisilli in that area during the week. Paulo Dybala is set to continue in the side. Rome's leading newspapers have offered differing predictions. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero and Leggo favour a 3-4-1-2 shape with Soulé in the attacking role behind Dybala and Donyell Malen. Il Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport both lean toward a 3-4-2-1, positioning Soulé and Dybala together in the two attacking-midfield berths with Malen as the lone forward. La Repubblica and Il Tempo predict Mora will get the nod instead, also in a 3-4-1-2 setup. All eight forecasts agree on the back line and midfield spine: Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso across the defence; Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchoring midfield; Wesley on the left flank and Molina on the right.

Roma begin their Champions League campaign for the first time in 2745 days, facing Fenerbahce in Istanbul at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to field a settled side, with only minor tactical variations expected across the likely formations. The main selection debate centres on Nahuel Molina being favoured over Emanuele Lulli at right-back, and a choice between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in midfield, with Paulo Dybala expected to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable, though his recovery is nearly complete; Gasperini has the rest of the squad available. The Italian press outlets have outlined expected lineups in a near-consensus 3-4-1-2 formation, with mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso across the back three, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchoring midfield, and Wesley at left-back. Gasperini's reluctance to make wholesale changes reflects confidence in the squad's readiness for the competition's opening phase. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, Il Tempo and Il Romanista all offered predicted XIs, with five of the six outlets selecting Soulé in the attacking midfield role ahead of Mora. The single variation came from Il Tempo, which named Mora instead. All six retained Molina over Lulli in the right-back position, underlining the strength of consensus around that selection.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce in the league-phase opener at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field largely the same squad that started the season well, with Mile Svilar in goal and a settled back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The main change from the recent match against Atalanta appears to be on the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is favoured over Emanuele Lulli and could make his Roma debut as a starter in the Champions League. Wesley is set to continue on the left wing, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as the central midfield partnership. In the attacking area, Matías Soulé looks set to start at the expense of Rodrigo Mora. The Argentine impressed as a substitute in the Atalanta fixture, delivering an assist and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages. Soulé will operate behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini highlighted Dybala's importance at the pre-match press conference, stating that with the Argentine performing at his best Roma can raise their overall level. Malen remains the focal point of attack and has been Roma's standout performer so far this season. This setup would shift Roma's usual 3-4-1-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Dybala operating freely between the lines and Malen as the most advanced attacker. Gasperini has virtually the full squad available. Lorenzo Pellegrini was not selected despite being close to full fitness, while Devyne Rensch has returned to the available list. The UEFA squad list includes recent arrivals such as Marten de Roon, Molina and Leonardo Balerdi, all eligible for the league phase. Molina is rated 70% likely to start over Lulli, while Soulé is given a 60% chance ahead of Mora. Roma are expected to approach the Champions League return without major upheaval, but with two potential changes: Molina on the right flank and Soulé in the attacking midfield position.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League this evening at 18:45 with a trip to Fenerbahce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini plans to field Paulo Dybala from the start, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé competing for the third attacking spot alongside Donyell Malen. In defence, the trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is set to continue, while Nahuel Molina is expected to start at right-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Today also marks the 91st anniversary of Giacomo Losi's birth on 10 September 1935. The former Roma captain made 455 appearances across 15 years in the giallorossi colours, a tally second only to Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi in the club's all-time list. Roma paid tribute on social media: "91 years ago Giacomo Losi was born. Eternal giallorossi captain." Roma's Primavera squad returns to European competition today at 13:00 against Fenerbahce's Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League, marking their return to the competition seven years after their last participation. The club's best result remains a 2015 semi-final, when Lorenzo Pellegrini captained the side. Coach Scala will be without Arena, who stayed in Rome due to a knee issue not expected to be serious; forward Paratici may get an opportunity. The match will be broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Turkish club.

Roma begin their Champions League campaign for the first time in 2745 days, facing Fenerbahce in Istanbul at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to field a settled side, with only minor tactical variations expected across the likely formations. The main selection debate centres on Nahuel Molina being favoured over Emanuele Lulli at right-back, and a choice between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in midfield, with Paulo Dybala expected to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable, though his recovery is nearly complete; Gasperini has the rest of the squad available. The Italian press outlets have outlined expected lineups in a near-consensus 3-4-1-2 formation, with mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso across the back three, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchoring midfield, and Wesley at left-back. Gasperini's reluctance to make wholesale changes reflects confidence in the squad's readiness for the competition's opening phase. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, Il Tempo and Il Romanista all offered predicted XIs, with five of the six outlets selecting Soulé in the attacking midfield role ahead of Mora. The single variation came from Il Tempo, which named Mora instead. All six retained Molina over Lulli in the right-back position, underlining the strength of consensus around that selection.