Gasperini confident Roma can compete with anyone in Champions League; Pellegrini ruled out for Fenerbahçe

Roma will face Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase on Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul. It is Roma's first Champions League appearance in seven years. Gasperini, managing Roma in the competition for only the second time in his career, said in his press conference: "I am curious to see this Roma in the Champions League, we will encounter the best clubs from every championship and we must be good at maintaining our identity." Mario Hermoso echoed the importance of the occasion, stating: "This competition represents a very important milestone for us but we want to make it a constant." The squad is in good condition with the exception of Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is not included in the matchday selection. Gasperini confirmed Roma will be able to use rotation and changes during the campaign. The manager cited the recent victory over Atalanta as having given the team "energy and strength." Fenerbahçe's manager offered praise for Roma's prospects, saying the club "has the strongest squad in its history."

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.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference on 9 September ahead of Roma's Champions League debut against Fenerbahce, citing the recent comeback victory over Atalanta as a source of renewed energy and strength for the group. Gasperini stated: "In this moment we are all well, apart from Pellegrini." The win in midweek appeared to have lifted Roma's mood as they prepare for their opening fixture in the league phase. Gasperini expressed curiosity about seeing this Roma side perform in the Champions League, with Paulo Dybala in good form. The squad's overall condition and morale have improved following the comeback result. Roma face Fenerbahce in their first European match of the 2026-27 season. Pellegrini remains the only absence from Gasperini's available squad.

Roma will face Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase on Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul. It is Roma's first Champions League appearance in seven years. Gasperini, managing Roma in the competition for only the second time in his career, said in his press conference: "I am curious to see this Roma in the Champions League, we will encounter the best clubs from every championship and we must be good at maintaining our identity." Mario Hermoso echoed the importance of the occasion, stating: "This competition represents a very important milestone for us but we want to make it a constant." The squad is in good condition with the exception of Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is not included in the matchday selection. Gasperini confirmed Roma will be able to use rotation and changes during the campaign. The manager cited the recent victory over Atalanta as having given the team "energy and strength." Fenerbahçe's manager offered praise for Roma's prospects, saying the club "has the strongest squad in its history."

Actor and Roma fan Lino Banfi has spoken about Gasperini's side ahead of their Champions League debut this season, praising the atmosphere at the club and backing the team to compete at the highest level. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Banfi described the mood at Roma: "It's wonderful, this city deserves this euphoria. It seems to me that the environment is truly unified behind this manager and this fantastic group of players that I had the chance to meet at Trigoria a few months ago. In the Champions League we will need the best Roma, we play in a hot stadium but if Roma play as they did against Atalanta they can do it. I also suggest to Gasp a bi-zone system—he knows what I mean." Roma sit top of the table after the opening three Serie A matches. Banfi, Pugliese-born but a lifelong Roman, was impressed by how Gasperini has settled into the role despite coming from the north. "Even though he's from the north he has adapted well and understood the city," Banfi explained. He recounted a visit to Trigoria where Gasperini involved him in a prank on the players: "When he saw me come out, Pellegrini was moved and Dybala hugged me saying that one day he would like to celebrate a goal shouting my catchphrase 'Porca Puttena'." Gasperini was also celebrated by the Verona squad, who threw him in the air and quoted Banfi's film line "You took me for a fool."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference on 9 September ahead of Roma's Champions League debut against Fenerbahce, citing the recent comeback victory over Atalanta as a source of renewed energy and strength for the group. Gasperini stated: "In this moment we are all well, apart from Pellegrini." The win in midweek appeared to have lifted Roma's mood as they prepare for their opening fixture in the league phase. Gasperini expressed curiosity about seeing this Roma side perform in the Champions League, with Paulo Dybala in good form. The squad's overall condition and morale have improved following the comeback result. Roma face Fenerbahce in their first European match of the 2026-27 season. Pellegrini remains the only absence from Gasperini's available squad.

Roma will face Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase on Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul. It is Roma's first Champions League appearance in seven years. Gasperini, managing Roma in the competition for only the second time in his career, said in his press conference: "I am curious to see this Roma in the Champions League, we will encounter the best clubs from every championship and we must be good at maintaining our identity." Mario Hermoso echoed the importance of the occasion, stating: "This competition represents a very important milestone for us but we want to make it a constant." The squad is in good condition with the exception of Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is not included in the matchday selection. Gasperini confirmed Roma will be able to use rotation and changes during the campaign. The manager cited the recent victory over Atalanta as having given the team "energy and strength." Fenerbahçe's manager offered praise for Roma's prospects, saying the club "has the strongest squad in its history."

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.

Emanuele Lulli's fortunes have transformed dramatically in two months. The defender was on the verge of joining Avellino before head coach Gian Piero Gasperini decided to retain him, convinced he could make a contribution. Lulli has repaid that faith immediately, delivering a convincing debut and strong performances across Roma's opening three league matches this season, emerging as one of the standout positives of Roma's impressive start. His early impact has caught the attention of Italy national team coach Mancini, who is considering including Lulli among his next squad call-ups for forthcoming international friendlies. The selection will be announced on 18 September, with Mancini intent on bringing fresh, younger and more adventurous faces into the squad. Lulli could be among the surprise names included. Gasperini's decision to keep the young Roma defender in the summer window has proved prescient, with the player now on course to move from near-departure to international recognition.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Champions League return at Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45. Lorenzo Pellegrini is the only absentee from the travelling party to Istanbul but is expected to be available for Roma's Serie A match against Torino on Monday. Otherwise Gasperini has the full group at his disposal, including Devyne Rensch, and can select from: Goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. Defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfielders Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. Forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Fenerbahçe–Roma on 10 September at 18:45, marking the Giallorossi's return to the UEFA Champions League. Devyne Rensch is back in contention after a spell out, but Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the Istanbul trip and plays no part in the squad. Gasperini otherwise has his full European list available. The squad named comprises: Goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; Defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; Midfielders Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; Forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.