Gasperini addresses Roma's opening Champions League draw with Fenerbahce

The opening matchday of the Champions League league phase concluded across three days—8, 9 and 10 September—with Roma drawing against Fenerbahce in their group-stage debut. Real Madrid won against Inter, while PSG defeated Slovan Bratislava. Roma's result came on the third day of fixtures as part of a wider opening round that saw other contenders in the competition secure victories.

Roma began their 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on 10 September. Bryan Cristante put the giallorossi ahead, but Archie Brown levelled for the home side in the second half. The match was one of six played in the league-phase opening round, a night that saw Como stun Lipsia 4-1 in their maiden Champions League appearance, Bayern Munich demolish Bodø/Glimt 5-0, and Manchester United beat Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford with goals from Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Sesko and Lisandro Martinez. Roma's draw came in one of two afternoon fixtures that ended level. PSV Eindhoven also drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk, with Mendoza putting the Ukrainians ahead before Dest equalised for the Dutch side. Elsewhere on the opening day, Lens won 3-2 away at Slavia Praga. Como's emphatic victory over Lipsia, secured by goals from Martin Baturina, Douvikas, Assane Diao and Máximo Perrone, marked a historic night for the Lombard club at their Champions League debut—a performance that dominated from the first half, with Baturina scoring the club's maiden Champions League goal in the 15th minute and Douvikas doubling the lead by the 38th-minute interval.

Roma drew 1-1 away to Fenerbahce in their opening UEFA Champions League fixture. Cristante scored in the first half before Fenerbahce equalised through Brown early in the second half. Roma pressed for a second goal while also facing defensive pressure but could not find a winner in Istanbul. The squad will return to Rome this evening and resume training at Trigoria tomorrow morning. There is little time to prepare for the league fixture against Torino on Monday at 18:30.

Roma drew 1–1 at Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League League Phase on 10 September, marking the club's return to Europe's elite competition after seven years away. Speaking after the match at the Şükrü Saracoğlu, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini defended the result despite conceding early in the second half. "We played a good match, it wasn't easy here against a team that closed down and hit on the break," Gasperini said. "A draw that serves the table came out in the end." He acknowledged the defensive vulnerability that cost Roma a goal. "We came out poorly on the goal—it happens when we're deep and set. We certainly need to work because you can't always play high, especially in the Champions League. There was a wrong exit." Gasperini praised the substitutes' contributions, highlighting Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli as particularly effective after coming on, though he noted that Rodrigo Mora, who entered midfield, struggled to create problems at the edge of the area. Marten de Roon was brought on late to secure the result. Fenerbahçe deployed a notably defensive setup that Gasperini described as extreme: "The Fenerbahçe played a defensive match like I'd never seen. They're a dangerous team in speed and we accepted that risk." Roma conceded in the opening moments of the second half, a recurring problem that prompted Gasperini to acknowledge a pattern: "Two clues make proof, but not everything is explainable—sometimes there's chance. From next time we need to be careful at the start of the second half." However, he was emphatic about the significance of the point. "These are difficult away grounds. Maybe it would have gone differently at home, the same at Athens. You have to understand the difficulty of playing these matches. Fenerbahçe has strong players. They were compact—usually in these grounds it ends badly, especially for Italian teams in recent years. We could have lost it but there were also moments where we could have won it. Roma played with great personality on a difficult field, played it openly. The Champions League is difficult against anyone." Gasperini singled out Paulo Dybala for exceptional performance: "Dybala was extraordinary for continuity and quality. I struggle to remember the balls he lost, then he had cramps and probably wasn't the only one. He among many strong players is the strongest." On the tactical approach, he rejected the suggestion that Roma's setup was built merely to draw, noting that the three-point system has reshaped football's imperatives: "The advent of three points changed football and the need to win matches is high. Being able to always hope to win every match is a positive thing." Gasperini also explained Devyne Rensch's selection: "Rensch played because in training he played well." Manu Koné was withdrawn at half-time owing to a physical problem. Gasperini indicated the team would learn from the experience: "Between making ten and making eleven there's a difference"—underlining how the league-phase format rewards consistency.

Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahce in their Champions League league-phase opener on 8 September, a result that showed the team's character despite clear deficiencies. Bryan Cristante's opening-half strike — described as a billiard-shot effort — silenced the home crowd, but Brown equalised early in the second half as Fenerbahce's higher tempo began to dominate. The performance was far from Roma's best, yet the visitors held firm under pressure and salvaged a point from a hostile environment, leaving with the conviction that they possess genuine quality to work with. The match exposed both strength and weakness. Roma controlled the first half with personality and grit, dictating the rhythm and finding the breakthrough through Cristante. The second-half collapse was swift and collective — Gianluca Mancini was caught napping in the opening moments of the resumption — and Fenerbahce pressed hard thereafter, forcing Roma's rearguard into a defensive grind. Mile Svilar made a crucial save from Muriqi and was also prodigious in stopping Brown's attempt, yet could do nothing about the equaliser itself. Evan N'Dicka's performance was standout, standing firm against Muriqi and later against other threats, refusing to be intimidated and disrupting the home side's attacking plans. Mario Hermoso similarly managed the task of containing Greenwood, forcing the English winger to switch flanks repeatedly. Other defenders sent mixed signals. Devyne Rensch provided solid cover but fell asleep during a key moment that nearly made it 2–1 to the hosts; he was replaced on 73 minutes by Molina. Mancini's first-half work was solid, given the fluid defensive shape Roma adopted, but his lapse at the start of the second half cost dearly. Bryan Cristante earned praise as the match's most diligent performer, working countless balls and converting his chance with precision; he later earned a booking for a careless turnover in midfield. Manu Koné performed without obvious error in a physically demanding contest and was substituted on 52 minutes, reportedly for tactical reasons rather than injury. Wesley, however, drew a five-rating, fading badly after a strong previous season and losing the ball dangerously to Svilar at one point. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala both battled heavy marking, with Dybala nearly earning a clear penalty at one stage. Donyell Malen made the key pass for Cristante's goal but found few other openings. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini stuck to his philosophy: "Do not abandon our nature," he insisted, and Roma obeyed, showing maturity and refusing to collapse despite conceding. His substitutions from the bench, however, did not yield the same cutting edge they produce for his Atalanta side.

Roma drew 1-1 with Fenerbahçe in Istanbul in the opening fixture of the Champions League League Phase. Bryan Cristante's long-range effort put Roma ahead, but Brown equalised for the hosts in the second half, and Roma could not capitalise on their advantage despite periods of dominance. The performance was mixed across the squad. Paulo Dybala was named the standout performer, orchestrating Roma's attacking play and creating chances, though he was unable to convert his clear opportunities—one with his right foot saved by Ederson, another with his left foot that went wide. Manu Koné was rated highly for his work in midfield, breaking up play and distributing the ball with quality to teammates. Mile Svilar made several saves in goal, including denying Muriqi in the second half. Devyne Rensch was described as crucial in the closing stages, while Leonardo Balerdi impressed after coming on as a substitute from the 74th minute with aggressive, assertive play. Wesley received the lowest rating of the evening (5/10), criticised for being unclean in his final pass, appearing distracted for Brown's goal, and too lightweight when facing Mason Greenwood. Gianluca Mancini struggled through a difficult match and was substituted at 74 minutes. Evan N'Dicka had a physical battle with Dusan Muriqi but handled the winger's limited technical ability better than he dealt with Romelu Lukaku's threat. Mario Hermoso found difficulty against Greenwood but ventured forward effectively. Matías Soulé worked hard across the entire attacking front but lacked the decisive moment, while Donyell Malen played wide in search of space, his movement creating the opening from which Cristante scored. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini received a rating of 6/10. The assessment noted that the point away from home on a difficult pitch was valuable, but Roma failed to build on their lead and risked defeat in the second half, with the tactical substitutions not landing as effectively as hoped.

Rodrigo Mora analysed Roma's 1–1 draw away at Fenerbahce on 8 September, saying the team were satisfied with their overall performance but must improve their consistency throughout matches. The Portuguese midfielder's comments came after a Champions League league-phase fixture in which Roma conceded a goal despite competitive play. Roma's display drew mixed reactions from the backroom staff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged defensive vulnerabilities, noting "at times we are vulnerable, we must be more careful", while highlighting Paulo Dybala's contribution as "extraordinary". The team also dealt with an injury concern when midfielder Manu Koné departed the pitch during the match; Gasperini confirmed he came off for a physical problem. Defender Evan N'Dicka also reflected on the result, stating: "Positive performance, we deserved more. But we take this point." Despite the defensive issues that emerged, Roma had competitive moments throughout the fixture and secured a point away from home in the opening phase of their European campaign.

Gian Piero Gasperini singled out Paulo Dybala for exceptional performance following Roma's match, describing him as the outstanding player on the pitch. Speaking in his post-match assessment, Gasperini said: "Dybala has been extraordinary for his consistency and quality. I struggle to recall the balls he lost, then he suffered cramps and probably wasn't the only one. Among so many strong players, he is the strongest." The coach acknowledged that Dybala showed visible signs of fatigue late in the encounter, noting that physical tiredness affected multiple squad members as the match progressed. Gasperini's comments underline Dybala's continued importance to Roma's tactical setup and his status among the club's key performers this season.

Roma drew 1–1 with Fenerbahçe in their first Champions League match in seven years, played in Istanbul on 8 September 2026. Bryan Cristante opened the scoring in the first half with an assist from the Dybala-Malen axis, with Cristante notable as the sole survivor from Roma's last Champions League outing—the Porto match in 2019. Brown equalised for Fenerbahçe in the second half, and late pressure saw Akè hit the crossbar. Mile Svilar made crucial saves to secure the point. Gasperini's side controlled the opening 45 minutes with tactical maturity and patient possession, demonstrating awareness of their strengths without forcing play. The second half exposed the demands of the competition as Fenerbahçe, driven by their home crowd and chasing their first Champions League appearance since 2009, raised their intensity. Roma conceded ground but held firm defensively. The result leaves Gasperini with a lesson: the first-half display represents the standard required to compete at this level, while the second-half vulnerability to an opponent's pressure illustrates the growth still needed. The point earned away from home represents a significant restart for Roma's European ambitions. Gasperini must rebuild from the first 45 minutes in Istanbul—that performance, he indicated, is the template for Roma's Champions League path. The fixture list offers no respite: Roma's next continental match will see Real Madrid, managed by former Roma boss José Mourinho, visit the Olimpico.

Gian Piero Gasperini praised Roma's performance in a draw against Fenerbahce, but identified defensive vulnerabilities in the second half as an area requiring urgent attention. The head coach said the team produced a good display in difficult circumstances, playing against opponents who sat deep and looked to break on the counter-attack. Gasperini acknowledged Roma conceded from a poor exit when deployed low on the pitch. "We came out badly for the goal. It happens when we are deep and set. We certainly need to work because we cannot always play high, especially in the Champions League. There was a wrong exit," he said. He was satisfied with the impact of substitutes, singling out Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli for particular praise. Rodrigo Mora, introduced in midfield, struggled to make the anticipated impact despite his pace. Marten de Roon was brought on late to secure the result. When asked about Roma's recurring problem of conceding at the start of the second half, Gasperini said: "Two clues make a proof, but not everything is explainable; sometimes there is chance. From next time we must be careful at the start of the second half."

Roma drew 1–1 at Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League League Phase on 10 September, marking the club's return to Europe's elite competition after seven years away. Speaking after the match at the Şükrü Saracoğlu, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini defended the result despite conceding early in the second half. "We played a good match, it wasn't easy here against a team that closed down and hit on the break," Gasperini said. "A draw that serves the table came out in the end." He acknowledged the defensive vulnerability that cost Roma a goal. "We came out poorly on the goal—it happens when we're deep and set. We certainly need to work because you can't always play high, especially in the Champions League. There was a wrong exit." Gasperini praised the substitutes' contributions, highlighting Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli as particularly effective after coming on, though he noted that Rodrigo Mora, who entered midfield, struggled to create problems at the edge of the area. Marten de Roon was brought on late to secure the result. Fenerbahçe deployed a notably defensive setup that Gasperini described as extreme: "The Fenerbahçe played a defensive match like I'd never seen. They're a dangerous team in speed and we accepted that risk." Roma conceded in the opening moments of the second half, a recurring problem that prompted Gasperini to acknowledge a pattern: "Two clues make proof, but not everything is explainable—sometimes there's chance. From next time we need to be careful at the start of the second half." However, he was emphatic about the significance of the point. "These are difficult away grounds. Maybe it would have gone differently at home, the same at Athens. You have to understand the difficulty of playing these matches. Fenerbahçe has strong players. They were compact—usually in these grounds it ends badly, especially for Italian teams in recent years. We could have lost it but there were also moments where we could have won it. Roma played with great personality on a difficult field, played it openly. The Champions League is difficult against anyone." Gasperini singled out Paulo Dybala for exceptional performance: "Dybala was extraordinary for continuity and quality. I struggle to remember the balls he lost, then he had cramps and probably wasn't the only one. He among many strong players is the strongest." On the tactical approach, he rejected the suggestion that Roma's setup was built merely to draw, noting that the three-point system has reshaped football's imperatives: "The advent of three points changed football and the need to win matches is high. Being able to always hope to win every match is a positive thing." Gasperini also explained Devyne Rensch's selection: "Rensch played because in training he played well." Manu Koné was withdrawn at half-time owing to a physical problem. Gasperini indicated the team would learn from the experience: "Between making ten and making eleven there's a difference"—underlining how the league-phase format rewards consistency.

Gian Piero Gasperini defended Roma's performance in their 1–1 draw at Fenerbahçe in the Champions League league phase on matchday one, saying the result was valuable despite the difficulty of the task. "We saw everything you expect from a Champions League match tonight: intensity, speed, desire to compete in open play, courageous teams," Gasperini said. "I asked my squad not to lose their identity; I think we did well on that front." He added: "It was not easy on this pitch, with this atmosphere and against a side that, despite playing at home, shut themselves in tight and looked to break on the counter with some extremely quick players. I believe we played an excellent match. Then in the end this draw came, which for the table can be important: draws are also necessary to reach our objectives." Gasperini acknowledged defensive lapses, particularly around Roma's left flank, where Fenerbahçe found space behind the back line on several occasions before scoring. He conceded the team had exited poorly from one such situation. "We certainly came out badly, but this time it happens more when we are deep and almost set in shape, rather than when we are playing in the opposition's half. That is certainly something we must work on, because you cannot always play, especially in this kind of match and competition—sometimes you find yourself having to be positioned lower down. That was certainly a bad exit." On his substitutions, Gasperini was satisfied with most, saying Balerdi and Molina "came in very well, and also Pisilli." He was less convinced by Rodrigo Mora, remarking: "I hoped his speed could cause problems for a rearguard so tight. It wasn't even easy to find him between the lines. This year in that respect we have the right approach from everyone." Roma conceded early in the second half, continuing a pattern Gasperini noted had occurred in their previous match against Atalanta. "Two clues make proof," he said with a laugh. "Not everything in football is explicable—sometimes there is chance, other times there may be something. From the next match onwards we must be careful." Koné departed the match due to a physical problem, Gasperini confirmed.