Malen decisive again as Roma begin Champions League campaign with win over Fenerbahce

Evan N'Dicka spoke after Roma's opening Champions League match at Fenerbahçe's Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium on the 2026–27 campaign. The defender reflected on an intense, physical contest in which Roma dominated possession but could not break down Fenerbahçe's defensive approach. N'Dicka said: "They have physical players. I don't seek contact, but if they come at me I have to defend." On Roma's performance, he added: "A positive showing. We had the ball and we did more. They stayed deep and that makes it difficult. We tried, we deserved more but we take the point." Roma came to Istanbul with ambitions of victory but ultimately drew, leaving N'Dicka with optimism about the campaign ahead. He stated: "Yes, when the match starts we are focused. We came here to win and we will go to every ground to win." The result marked Roma's entry into the Champions League group phase, to which they qualified as third-place finishers in Serie A 2025–26.

Milan Skriniar spoke after Fenerbahce's Champions League League Phase match against Roma on matchday one, describing it as a competitive fixture between two strong sides. "We wanted to win, but we knew we had a tough team in front of us," Skriniar said. "In the end I think we deserved something more. I think people enjoyed themselves." When asked about his exchange with Roma head coach Gasperini, Skriniar confirmed the two had words after the final whistle. "We complimented each other, a chat between friends," he explained, suggesting a cordial interaction between the opposing managers despite the competitive nature of the encounter.

Evan N'Dicka delivered a commanding defensive display and spoke to Sky Sport after Roma's match, assessing a performance he felt merited a better outcome. The defender contained opposing forwards across both halves and kept Roma's defensive shape tight throughout, describing the contest as high-intensity and physically demanding. N'Dicka praised Roma's overall showing. "Very positive performance," he said. "We did more, they stayed very deep. It's difficult with 8–9 players in front of the goal; they played on the counter-attack. We deserved more but we take this point." On the physical demands he faced against strong opponents, he added: "Yes, they are physically strong. I don't look for that thing... if they come what must I do? I must defend and so we are physical." Looking ahead to Roma's Champions League campaign, N'Dicka struck an optimistic note. "Yes, then when the match starts we are concentrated," he said. "We came here to win, as on every pitch."

Bryan Cristante gave his assessment after Roma's opening Champions League match at Fenerbahçe in Istanbul. The midfielder said the performance was "excellent" and praised his team's approach: "From the first minute we managed well. In the second half we almost always attacked. It's a shame about the goal conceded." Cristante highlighted Roma's response to the conceded goal, saying "Yes, absolutely. We started decisively, we interpreted the match well, we suffered some counterattacks. Now we wait for the next one." He reflected on the significance of the goal against them, noting "It was too early to think it would be decisive, but it was important for the environment and everything else. But I'm happy with the excellent performance, the first of the season in Champions. We go home with our heads held high."

Bryan Cristante spoke after Roma's opening Champions League League Phase match against Fenerbahçe on 8 September, describing a solid display despite the result not going their way. 'We managed the match well from the first minute, going ahead in the first half,' Cristante said. 'In the second we attacked almost constantly. It's a shame about the goal we conceded, but we put in an excellent performance.' Roma took the lead early but conceded an equaliser, leaving them with a draw in their campaign opener. Cristante's comments emphasised the team's control of possession and attacking intent throughout, particularly after the interval, though the inability to secure all three points represented a missed opportunity on the night.

Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahce in their Champions League league-phase opener on 8 September, a result that showed the team's character despite clear deficiencies. Bryan Cristante's opening-half strike — described as a billiard-shot effort — silenced the home crowd, but Brown equalised early in the second half as Fenerbahce's higher tempo began to dominate. The performance was far from Roma's best, yet the visitors held firm under pressure and salvaged a point from a hostile environment, leaving with the conviction that they possess genuine quality to work with. The match exposed both strength and weakness. Roma controlled the first half with personality and grit, dictating the rhythm and finding the breakthrough through Cristante. The second-half collapse was swift and collective — Gianluca Mancini was caught napping in the opening moments of the resumption — and Fenerbahce pressed hard thereafter, forcing Roma's rearguard into a defensive grind. Mile Svilar made a crucial save from Muriqi and was also prodigious in stopping Brown's attempt, yet could do nothing about the equaliser itself. Evan N'Dicka's performance was standout, standing firm against Muriqi and later against other threats, refusing to be intimidated and disrupting the home side's attacking plans. Mario Hermoso similarly managed the task of containing Greenwood, forcing the English winger to switch flanks repeatedly. Other defenders sent mixed signals. Devyne Rensch provided solid cover but fell asleep during a key moment that nearly made it 2–1 to the hosts; he was replaced on 73 minutes by Molina. Mancini's first-half work was solid, given the fluid defensive shape Roma adopted, but his lapse at the start of the second half cost dearly. Bryan Cristante earned praise as the match's most diligent performer, working countless balls and converting his chance with precision; he later earned a booking for a careless turnover in midfield. Manu Koné performed without obvious error in a physically demanding contest and was substituted on 52 minutes, reportedly for tactical reasons rather than injury. Wesley, however, drew a five-rating, fading badly after a strong previous season and losing the ball dangerously to Svilar at one point. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala both battled heavy marking, with Dybala nearly earning a clear penalty at one stage. Donyell Malen made the key pass for Cristante's goal but found few other openings. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini stuck to his philosophy: "Do not abandon our nature," he insisted, and Roma obeyed, showing maturity and refusing to collapse despite conceding. His substitutions from the bench, however, did not yield the same cutting edge they produce for his Atalanta side.

Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahce in their Champions League league-phase opener on 8 September, a result that showed the team's character despite clear deficiencies. Bryan Cristante's opening-half strike — described as a billiard-shot effort — silenced the home crowd, but Brown equalised early in the second half as Fenerbahce's higher tempo began to dominate. The performance was far from Roma's best, yet the visitors held firm under pressure and salvaged a point from a hostile environment, leaving with the conviction that they possess genuine quality to work with. The match exposed both strength and weakness. Roma controlled the first half with personality and grit, dictating the rhythm and finding the breakthrough through Cristante. The second-half collapse was swift and collective — Gianluca Mancini was caught napping in the opening moments of the resumption — and Fenerbahce pressed hard thereafter, forcing Roma's rearguard into a defensive grind. Mile Svilar made a crucial save from Muriqi and was also prodigious in stopping Brown's attempt, yet could do nothing about the equaliser itself. Evan N'Dicka's performance was standout, standing firm against Muriqi and later against other threats, refusing to be intimidated and disrupting the home side's attacking plans. Mario Hermoso similarly managed the task of containing Greenwood, forcing the English winger to switch flanks repeatedly. Other defenders sent mixed signals. Devyne Rensch provided solid cover but fell asleep during a key moment that nearly made it 2–1 to the hosts; he was replaced on 73 minutes by Molina. Mancini's first-half work was solid, given the fluid defensive shape Roma adopted, but his lapse at the start of the second half cost dearly. Bryan Cristante earned praise as the match's most diligent performer, working countless balls and converting his chance with precision; he later earned a booking for a careless turnover in midfield. Manu Koné performed without obvious error in a physically demanding contest and was substituted on 52 minutes, reportedly for tactical reasons rather than injury. Wesley, however, drew a five-rating, fading badly after a strong previous season and losing the ball dangerously to Svilar at one point. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala both battled heavy marking, with Dybala nearly earning a clear penalty at one stage. Donyell Malen made the key pass for Cristante's goal but found few other openings. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini stuck to his philosophy: "Do not abandon our nature," he insisted, and Roma obeyed, showing maturity and refusing to collapse despite conceding. His substitutions from the bench, however, did not yield the same cutting edge they produce for his Atalanta side.

Roma drew 1-1 with Fenerbahçe in Istanbul in the opening fixture of the Champions League League Phase. Bryan Cristante's long-range effort put Roma ahead, but Brown equalised for the hosts in the second half, and Roma could not capitalise on their advantage despite periods of dominance. The performance was mixed across the squad. Paulo Dybala was named the standout performer, orchestrating Roma's attacking play and creating chances, though he was unable to convert his clear opportunities—one with his right foot saved by Ederson, another with his left foot that went wide. Manu Koné was rated highly for his work in midfield, breaking up play and distributing the ball with quality to teammates. Mile Svilar made several saves in goal, including denying Muriqi in the second half. Devyne Rensch was described as crucial in the closing stages, while Leonardo Balerdi impressed after coming on as a substitute from the 74th minute with aggressive, assertive play. Wesley received the lowest rating of the evening (5/10), criticised for being unclean in his final pass, appearing distracted for Brown's goal, and too lightweight when facing Mason Greenwood. Gianluca Mancini struggled through a difficult match and was substituted at 74 minutes. Evan N'Dicka had a physical battle with Dusan Muriqi but handled the winger's limited technical ability better than he dealt with Romelu Lukaku's threat. Mario Hermoso found difficulty against Greenwood but ventured forward effectively. Matías Soulé worked hard across the entire attacking front but lacked the decisive moment, while Donyell Malen played wide in search of space, his movement creating the opening from which Cristante scored. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini received a rating of 6/10. The assessment noted that the point away from home on a difficult pitch was valuable, but Roma failed to build on their lead and risked defeat in the second half, with the tactical substitutions not landing as effectively as hoped.

Roma drew 1–1 at Fenerbahce in their opening Champions League fixture on 8 September, with Bryan Cristante scoring his first goal in the competition to cancel out Brown's equaliser. Cristante's performance earned a rating of 7/10, praised for his composure in tight spaces and his ability to read dangerous moments. His finish—described as him taking time to pick out the corner perfectly and silence the Saraçoglu Stadium—came after the hosts had set up defensively, leaving few openings for either side to exploit. Mile Svilar made a crucial save to prevent defeat, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen showed flashes of quality but could not find a breakthrough. Evan N'Dicka (7/10) contained Muriqi effectively in the first half with superior pace and anticipation, though Fenerbahce raised the intensity after half-time and created greater danger, including chances for Lukaku. Gianluca Mancini (5.5/10) struggled with his positioning on the opening goal, lacking clarity in his exit, while Mario Hermoso (6.5/10) worked hard to contain Mason Greenwood's early pace. Manu Koné (6.5/10) displayed personality in a Champions League performance, though his replacement Niccolò Pisilli (5.5/10) made his Champions League debut with some nervous energy. Wesley (5/10) had a difficult evening on the right, finding little space to operate and creating few chances when he did reach the byline. He mislaid an opportunity in the first half and fell asleep during the build-up to Brown's goal. Dybala (6.5/10) managed limited space but showed maturity in his play-making, while Malen (6/10) created the opening for Cristante's goal with an assist described as a moment of quality, though he did not test Ederson in the second half. Leonardo Balerdi (6.5/10) entered late and immediately brought aggression to Roma's defence.