Luis Enrique pays tribute to his former Italian teacher from Roma days

Roma's fixture schedule has taken shape following UEFA's announcement of the eight Champions League dates, with October emerging as an exceptionally demanding month that will test Gian Piero Gasperini's squad across two competitions. The congestion begins immediately. After a Serie A match against Atalanta at the Olimpico on Saturday 5 September, Roma make their Champions League debut on Thursday 10 September at Istanbul against Fenerbahce, followed by a trip to Torino on 13 September at 12.30. The real intensity arrives after the international break: nine matches in less than a month. Roma visit Como, then host Real Madrid on 14 October—a reunion with José Mourinho at the Olimpico. Three days later comes another notable occasion: Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, also visit Rome on the weekend of 16–17 October. Roma then face Slovan Bratislava at home on 20 October for a third consecutive Olimpico fixture, immediately followed by a major encounter at the San Paolo against Napoli. Gasperini's side host Cagliari in the first midweek league fixture on 27 October, then travel to face Udinese on 30–31 October. The stretch concludes with Manchester United away on 3 November and Roma-Sassuolo at home, after which players can finally recover during the second international break. Roma's squad includes double-digit numbers of international players, complicating rotation. November fixtures include Parma away on 21 November, then a heavyweight clash at PSG on 25 November, with Monza at home closing that week. December will be equally demanding, featuring Bologna away, Sporting at home, and the first derby against Lazio. Champions League resumes in January with the final two league-phase matches: Atalanta away on 16 January and AEK Athens away on 19 January, sandwiched around a home game against Udinese. The eighth and final league-phase match against Lille comes on 27 January at home, followed by an away trip to Monza. The date for Roma's Coppa Italia round of 16 tie against either Cagliari or Verona remains to be determined from among 2 December, 16 December, and 13 January.

Roma have completed the signing of defender Balerdi on a loan deal with a right of purchase set at €15 million, which can become an obligation under certain conditions. The italo-Argentine arrived at Ciampino airport at 17:45 on 29 August, with the final details of his agreement settled that morning. Medical examinations are scheduled for the evening. The deal strengthens Roma's defence, which the club describes as potentially the strongest in 7–8 years. Balerdi joins a squad that has undergone significant defensive reinforcement during the current transfer window.

Roma's Champions League League Phase fixture list is now set. The Giallorossi begin away to Fenerbahçe in Turkey before hosting Real Madrid in their second match. Matchday three brings a reunion with Slovan Bratislava, a throwback to their 2011 encounter. The schedule presents two testing away fixtures in succession: Roma travel to face Manchester, followed by a trip to Paris Saint-Germain. The full run of eight League Phase matches will determine Roma's path through the competition as they bid to progress from one of Europe's most demanding groups.