Gasperini: comeback win over Atalanta energised the squad

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke on the eve of Roma's opening Champions League League Phase match against Fenerbahce about the demands of a crowded fixture schedule. With three matches coming up before the international break, Gasperini highlighted the importance of squad rotation. "Now we have three matches," he said. "After the international break we'll have nine in a month." The head coach emphasised that Roma now possess the players capable of handling such intensity through tactical changes. Gasperini also noted that Paulo Dybala is in good condition and that Roma are stronger with him in the side. Mario Hermoso praised the transformation under Gasperini, saying the players are now happy and eager to make Champions League nights a regular occurrence at the club.

Mario Hermoso spoke at a press conference on the eve of Roma's Champions League match against Fenerbahce, expressing confidence in the team's trajectory. The defender said the coach had transmitted a message to the squad: "to train hard and have confidence and play." Roma are building momentum in European competition this season. Hermoso reflected on the club's ambitions, stating: "We want to make these nights a constant." The comments underscore head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's impact since his appointment, with the defender noting that the boss has changed the team's mentality and the players are now happy under his guidance. The fixture against Fenerbahce marks Roma's continued push in the Champions League group phase.

Mario Hermoso spoke at a pre-match press conference ahead of Roma's return to the Champions League against Fenerbahce in Istanbul. The Spanish defender will appear alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to preview the fixture, addressing Roma's approach to European football, the challenge posed by Fenerbahce in one of Europe's most intimidating atmospheres, and the significance of a strong opening. Hermoso outlined Roma's readiness: "To play a great match, we need to know the opponent's strongest points. We've done that work. This match doesn't change anything. The intensity and mentality will be the same we showed against Atalanta. For us it's a new competition and we need to raise our level compared to Serie A." He emphasised the importance of Roma's recent form, noting that the side arrives on the back of three positive performances and must use the Champions League as an opportunity to test themselves at the highest level. The defender highlighted the defensive discipline required: "For us it's important not to concede and put our strikers in a position to score." On the mentality driving the group, Hermoso referenced his own involvement in midfield during the recent win over Atalanta, explaining that commitment to winning is shared throughout the squad. "The coach has instilled in us this message—to train hard and have the confidence and willingness to play face-to-face against every team. We are in a moment of growth and want to send a message to everyone that we are ready." He praised Gasperini's methods: "Gasperini's football adapts very much to the European style. The coach demands pressing football and intensity suited to these European nights. We have the will to arrive and carry out all the situations the coach prepares in training and explains in the dressing room." Hermoso concluded by noting Roma's development under the new management: "Gasperini, when he arrived, put the mentality of growth in each of us as a squad. From last season to this season we have grown. We are all happy with how we play and the great step we've made reaching this stage."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Roma's first UEFA Champions League fixture at Fenerbahçe, confirming that Paulo Dybala is fit and ready to lead the squad's return to Europe's elite competition after a lengthy absence. Gasperini said: "Dybala is already showing what his consistency is, because his value is recognised. He seems to have improved thanks to this culture of self-improvement through work, the whole squad." The coach also addressed Roma's momentum after eight consecutive victories, attributing the upturn partly to technical improvements across the team. "We've raised the technical level over recent months, helped by a year of working together," Gasperini explained. "The fact that we score more is also down to this—with Dybala, with Malen, but with the whole squad." Roma's only confirmed absentee remains Lorenzo Pellegrini, whom Gasperini expects to recover soon. Gasperini described Fenerbahçe as a formidable opponent: "Fenerbahçe is a squad of absolute value. It has changed many players but there are many important ones. They will grow over time. They will need time but they have quality." Asked about the energy boost from Roma's dramatic 83rd-to-95th-minute turnaround against Atalanta in Serie A, Gasperini acknowledged the psychological lift but stressed the different demands of Champions League football. "When you lose at 83' and win at 95' you have additional energy," he said. "But this is a new competition for Roma—there is curiosity on our part to compare ourselves with the best sides from every country." Gasperini emphasised Roma's readiness to deploy squad rotation as fixture congestion increases after the international break. "We now have the possibility of getting more players to play," he said. "We can put new solutions in without losing quality." On Dybala's fitness specifically, Gasperini stated: "Apart from Pellegrini, we are all here. Dybala gave a lot of energy on Saturday. But he is fine." The squad report 43 Champions League matches as head coach—a milestone Gasperini views as confirmation of the competition's prestige. "I believe it is the most prestigious competition, which everyone wants to reach," he said.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport on the eve of Roma's return to the Champions League, addressing the club's ambitions as they prepare to face Fenerbahçe. The head coach emphasised the significance of the competition, saying: "It is undoubtedly the most important club competition, aside from the World Cup for national teams. I believe it is the most prestigious competition of all, the one every player and coach wants to participate in." Gasperini reflected on Roma's progress this season and the impact of recent reinforcements. He noted that the squad remains united and determined, and that technical quality has improved over recent months. "We have raised the level, advantaged by the fact that we have a year of matches and shared knowledge behind us," he said. "The quality has improved with Dybala, not only with Malen, but with the whole squad. The fact that we are scoring more goals mirrors this." He confirmed that the squad is fit and ready, with Lorenzo Pellegrini the only absentee but expected to return soon. Gasperini drew confidence from Roma's dramatic comeback against Atalanta, when the team scored twice in the final moments to overturn a deficit in the 83rd minute. "When you overturn a match like that, when you were losing at 83' and winning at 93', it gives you energy and joy that is certainly greater," he said. However, he stressed that the Champions League presents a different challenge. "We will face top teams in their own leagues and especially squads with extraordinary players who can change the result in a balanced match through their individual skill. We must know this and try to control it, but we must also be clever not to lose our identity, to trust our means and know that we can also put opponents in difficulty." Gasperini said the match in Istanbul would test Roma's character: "It begins tomorrow on a very important stage, very hot, and there we will already be able to see how much strength and personality we have."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference in Istanbul on 9 September 2026 ahead of Roma's first Champions League League Phase fixture against Fenerbahce on 10 September. The head coach discussed his squad's readiness and tactical approach to the competition's opening night. Gasperini emphasised Roma's capability to compete at the highest level. When asked about facing elite sides, he said: "We encounter the best from each country, teams with extraordinary players who in a locked match can break the balance. We must keep that in mind, while preserving confidence in our means, knowing that we too can put our opponents in difficulty." He highlighted the progress the squad has made, noting eight consecutive wins across the end of last season and the start of this one. The technical quality has improved, he explained, particularly with the arrival of new players: "Probably we have raised the technical level in recent months, helped by a year behind us of working together. But undoubtedly the technical quality has gone up, with Dybala, with Malen, but with the whole squad: the fact that we score more is also this." On Paulo Dybala's form and availability, Gasperini said: "Dybala is already showing what his continuity is, because his value is recognised. The start of this year is certainly better compared to recent years, he has more continuity and when he is on the pitch we are better too." He confirmed the squad was largely fit, with Lorenzo Pellegrini the only significant absence: "In general we are all well, there are no particular absences, Pellegrini remained out and we count on having him back soon, for the rest we are all ready to begin this adventure." Gasperini reflected on Roma's recent momentum, citing the dramatic 95th-minute winner against Atalanta in Serie A. He said: "When at the 83rd you have lost and at the 95th you have won you have an additional energy. But certainly this is a new competition for Roma, there is on our part curiosity to measure ourselves against the best teams from each country. We start tomorrow, in a very hot stadium, where we can see our strength."

Gian Piero Gasperini will largely keep faith with the Roma side that faced Atalanta, with only one enforced change for the Champions League opener at Fenerbahçe. Rodrigo Mora returns to the squad after missing that fixture, while Nahuel Molina is poised to make his first start for the club. Emanuele Lulli will drop out of the line-up. Roma enter their Champions League campaign on the back of their third-place finish in Serie A last season, which secured automatic qualification for the league phase. Gasperini has overseen an immediate uplift in the side's form and morale since his appointment in 2025, with Paulo Dybala among those back to full fitness. The manager has indicated his squad is ready for the continental stage, despite the short turnaround from domestic action.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke on the eve of Roma's opening Champions League League Phase match against Fenerbahce about the demands of a crowded fixture schedule. With three matches coming up before the international break, Gasperini highlighted the importance of squad rotation. "Now we have three matches," he said. "After the international break we'll have nine in a month." The head coach emphasised that Roma now possess the players capable of handling such intensity through tactical changes. Gasperini also noted that Paulo Dybala is in good condition and that Roma are stronger with him in the side. Mario Hermoso praised the transformation under Gasperini, saying the players are now happy and eager to make Champions League nights a regular occurrence at the club.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference ahead of Roma's first UEFA Champions League fixture at Fenerbahçe, confirming that Paulo Dybala is fit and ready to lead the squad's return to Europe's elite competition after a lengthy absence. Gasperini said: "Dybala is already showing what his consistency is, because his value is recognised. He seems to have improved thanks to this culture of self-improvement through work, the whole squad." The coach also addressed Roma's momentum after eight consecutive victories, attributing the upturn partly to technical improvements across the team. "We've raised the technical level over recent months, helped by a year of working together," Gasperini explained. "The fact that we score more is also down to this—with Dybala, with Malen, but with the whole squad." Roma's only confirmed absentee remains Lorenzo Pellegrini, whom Gasperini expects to recover soon. Gasperini described Fenerbahçe as a formidable opponent: "Fenerbahçe is a squad of absolute value. It has changed many players but there are many important ones. They will grow over time. They will need time but they have quality." Asked about the energy boost from Roma's dramatic 83rd-to-95th-minute turnaround against Atalanta in Serie A, Gasperini acknowledged the psychological lift but stressed the different demands of Champions League football. "When you lose at 83' and win at 95' you have additional energy," he said. "But this is a new competition for Roma—there is curiosity on our part to compare ourselves with the best sides from every country." Gasperini emphasised Roma's readiness to deploy squad rotation as fixture congestion increases after the international break. "We now have the possibility of getting more players to play," he said. "We can put new solutions in without losing quality." On Dybala's fitness specifically, Gasperini stated: "Apart from Pellegrini, we are all here. Dybala gave a lot of energy on Saturday. But he is fine." The squad report 43 Champions League matches as head coach—a milestone Gasperini views as confirmation of the competition's prestige. "I believe it is the most prestigious competition, which everyone wants to reach," he said.