Gasperini switches approach on the flank for Fenerbahce clash

Vincent Candela has given Roma an upbeat assessment of their return to the Champions League, insisting the club's fixture list against Europe's elite represents a reward rather than a burden. Speaking on the day Roma began their League Phase campaign, the former defender praised the draw that will take the team to Paris, Manchester and Madrid, saying: "I prefer to face the big clubs: because I know where I'm going and I know how to prepare myself. Going to Manchester or Paris is beautiful, it's real Champions League." Candela added that he considers the draw "perfect" and that Roma have "been kissed by fortune" after finishing third in Serie A last season. Roma's first fixture is a trip to Turkey to face Fenerbahce, a match Candela does not underestimate. "In Turkey it's never a walk in the park, but you have to play as you have in the first three league matches and above all we must not get injured," he said. "The atmosphere will be heated, but it's all very fascinating. I believe we are on the right path. You could see it too with the comeback against Atalanta: this Roma never dies." Candela stressed that strong early results in the League Phase will be crucial to approaching later matches with greater serenity, and noted that Sporting, AEK and Lille could be decisive in determining Roma's European fate. However, the away trip to Manchester United concerns him more than the visits to Real Madrid or Paris. "The English reality goes at another speed," he explained. On the players, Candela reserved particular praise for Paulo Dybala, describing him as a treasure of football. "Yes. He is one of the few who has so much experience at these levels. At a technical level he is an asset of football. He still delivers things you barely see anymore, things in the style of Totti, Zidane, Ronaldo. He is in excellent physical condition after a year of work with Gasperini." Donyell Malen also earned strong backing: "He has rare qualities. He can do damage to Fenerbahce and I would not be surprised if he put difficulties in the defences of PSG or Real Madrid. Plus this year there is also Castro, so physically he can be managed better in such a long season." Candela also spoke about head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's connection to the club, noting that the manager has already built strong belonging despite his recent arrival. "He has won the Europa League and done the Champions with Atalanta, so he knows these stages. But above all he already has a strong sense of belonging with Roma. You don't need 15 or 20 years: if you are loyal, honest and put passion in, you prove it right away and people feel it and see it. Sometimes I go to watch training at Trigoria, he thinks about football from morning to evening and then wanted to know the symbols like me and Totti, going to dinner with us. It's not obvious. It's beautiful and he deserves everything he is receiving from the fans."

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League after a seven-year absence when they travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on Thursday at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. It is their first meeting with the Turkish side, who qualified for the main draw after navigating a gruelling six-game process that included victories over Gornik Zabrze, Sturm Graz, and Lyon. Fenerbahce have added significant attacking reinforcements with the signings of Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though ex-Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi must serve a red-card ban and Jayden Oosterwolde remains sidelined with an Achilles injury. Roma's domestic form has been outstanding. Gian Piero Gasperini's side began the Serie A season with consecutive 4-0 victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, before pulling off a stunning comeback to beat Atalanta 2-1 last Saturday. Despite generating 2.94 xG and making 39 attempts, Roma trailed 1-0 in the 89th minute before Mario Hermoso and Matías Soulé scored in quick succession to snatch victory. Donyell Malen has been prolific, hauling five goals in the first two Serie A rounds. The Giallorossi have now scored at least two goals in eight consecutive matches across all competitions, winning all of them. They are bidding to become the first Italian side to secure an away Champions League win over Turkish opposition since November 2005. Gasperini has a strong recent European pedigree, suffering just four defeats in his last 23 group or league-phase games in the Champions League (W10, D9), though Roma have won only one of their last six opening-day fixtures in Europe's top competition—a 5-1 rout of CSKA Moscow in 2014–15. Fenerbahce hold a worrying historical record against Italian opposition in the Champions League, having lost five of six matches (W1). However, they have been formidable at home, losing only five of their last 32 UEFA fixtures in Istanbul (W20, D7) and opening the scoring in four of their five home outings this season. Lorenzo Pellegrini is Roma's only notable absentee. Gasperini is expected to field the same starting XI that faced Atalanta, with Nahuel Molina anticipated to start at right wing ahead of Emanuele Lulli. The forecast is for a high-scoring draw, with both teams boasting significant firepower and a strong start to the season in front of goal.

Paulo Dybala's involvement in Roma's Champions League return against Fenerbahce hangs in the balance, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to make a final decision only at the point of team selection. The Argentine has started the season in impressive form, recording four assists in three matches and reaching a level of fitness Roma have not witnessed in recent times. Gasperini had predicted this progress during pre-season, with improvements evident in each successive fixture. The uncertainty centres on whether Dybala will start or begin from the bench. Gasperini's approach is straightforward: if Dybala is fully fit, he plays; if he falls short of peak condition, the coach will not take a risk and will leave him out of the opening line-up. The decision will arrive in the coming hours, with the verdict revealed only when the official team sheets are announced. Gasperini recognises there is a Roma with Dybala and a Roma without him, but with the season only just under way, he is unwilling to gamble on the player's availability.

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 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.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League after a seven-year absence when they travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on Thursday at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. It is their first meeting with the Turkish side, who qualified for the main draw after navigating a gruelling six-game process that included victories over Gornik Zabrze, Sturm Graz, and Lyon. Fenerbahce have added significant attacking reinforcements with the signings of Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though ex-Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi must serve a red-card ban and Jayden Oosterwolde remains sidelined with an Achilles injury. Roma's domestic form has been outstanding. Gian Piero Gasperini's side began the Serie A season with consecutive 4-0 victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, before pulling off a stunning comeback to beat Atalanta 2-1 last Saturday. Despite generating 2.94 xG and making 39 attempts, Roma trailed 1-0 in the 89th minute before Mario Hermoso and Matías Soulé scored in quick succession to snatch victory. Donyell Malen has been prolific, hauling five goals in the first two Serie A rounds. The Giallorossi have now scored at least two goals in eight consecutive matches across all competitions, winning all of them. They are bidding to become the first Italian side to secure an away Champions League win over Turkish opposition since November 2005. Gasperini has a strong recent European pedigree, suffering just four defeats in his last 23 group or league-phase games in the Champions League (W10, D9), though Roma have won only one of their last six opening-day fixtures in Europe's top competition—a 5-1 rout of CSKA Moscow in 2014–15. Fenerbahce hold a worrying historical record against Italian opposition in the Champions League, having lost five of six matches (W1). However, they have been formidable at home, losing only five of their last 32 UEFA fixtures in Istanbul (W20, D7) and opening the scoring in four of their five home outings this season. Lorenzo Pellegrini is Roma's only notable absentee. Gasperini is expected to field the same starting XI that faced Atalanta, with Nahuel Molina anticipated to start at right wing ahead of Emanuele Lulli. The forecast is for a high-scoring draw, with both teams boasting significant firepower and a strong start to the season in front of goal.

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 face Fenerbahce in the opening match of the Champions League league phase at 18:45 in Istanbul, marking their return to Europe's elite club competition after seven and a half years. The fixture promises intensity in an atmosphere the hosts say is completely sold out, with Fenerbahce's Turkish contingent including former Serie A stars Skriniar, Muldur, and Lukaku, who previously played for Roma, alongside Muriqi and Mason Greenwood, whom Gasperini pursued this summer. Fenerbahce are managing their own crisis: their coach Kartal faces the sack after a derby loss to Besiktas, and they are themselves back in the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Roma must not be daunted, according to Gasperini, who stressed the need for confidence and tactical clarity in his pre-match press conference. The squad possesses genuine pedigree in this competition. Gasperini himself brings 34 European matches in the dugout—33 with Atalanta and one with Inter—having arrived in Rome after guiding Atalanta to Champions League qualification just weeks earlier. He reiterated yesterday: "It is a satisfaction to find the Champions League with Roma, it is a reason for greater gratification. In this competition you face top teams in their championship, with great players, who can change the inertia of a match at any moment." Key players carry substantial experience: Paulo Dybala has appeared 53 times at club level and scored 18 goals with 4 assists (all from his Juventus years); Marten de Roon has 43 Champions League appearances with Atalanta and 4 assists; Nahuel Molina has 37 matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, with 1 goal and 3 assists. Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso both have 31 appearances each from spells in the competition. Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Gollini have 13, 14, and 10 Champions League outings respectively. Eight players will make their debut in the competition: Mancini, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Wesley, Koné, Pisilli, and Rodrigo Mora, and will wear UEFA debut patches.