Koné reflects on World Cup pain: 'We will rise again'

Roma return to the Champions League after seven years with a trip to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on Thursday. The last time the club competed in Europe's premier competition was in 2019, when they lost to Porto in the round-of-16 second leg after extra time—2,742 days before this comeback. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has set the target of finishing in the top 24 of the league phase to secure a guaranteed spot in the playoff round and a path to the last 16. According to Gasperini's roadmap, Roma will need at least twelve points to guarantee their place in the playoffs.

Marten De Roon is settling into his opening weeks as a Roma player after nine years at Atalanta. Head coach Gasperini, who worked extensively with the Dutchman at Bergamo, brought him in to strengthen the midfield following the departure of Neil El Aynaoui. De Roon has already featured in the closing stages of Roma's match against Lecce, and he has taken a lighter approach to his adjustment by sharing a social media post of a video call with fellow countryman Kevin Strootman, the former Roma midfielder, asking for advice about life in the capital. Strootman spent five seasons in giallorosso between 2013 and 2018, making 131 appearances and scoring 13 goals. He became a fans' favourite for his combative style and the passion he showed for the club. De Roon's post joked about the situation, using his Dutch connection to seek tips on settling in at Roma. De Roon wrote on social media: "Happy to be here. There is only one Dutchman to call when you want advice on Roma." The post reflected the 33-year-old midfielder's sense of humour as he begins life at the Stadio Olimpico, tapping into Strootman's experience of the club and the city to guide his early months in the Italian capital.

Marten de Roon has reached out to Kevin Strootman for advice on settling into life at Roma and exploring the city. Strootman, the former Atalanta midfielder, shared a video call between the pair on Instagram, revealing that de Roon is leaning on his compatriot's experience of the capital. De Roon arrived at Roma amid controversy but is determined to understand the club's dynamics and discover the best the city has to offer. Strootman posted on social media to highlight the connection, with Strootman saying: "I am very happy to be here: there is only one Dutch boy to call when you want some advice about Rome." The message underscores de Roon's integration efforts at the club, with the experienced midfielder drawing on Strootman's established knowledge of both Roma as a club and the city itself.