Malen set for Istanbul test against Skriniar as Roma seek opening Champions League win

Roma travel to Istanbul this evening for their opening UEFA Champions League match of the 2026-27 season against Fenerbahce, managed by Mason Greenwood, whom the club tracked closely during the summer transfer window. The squad is staying at the Marriott Hotel, a five-star property in Istanbul's Asian district, which has been placed under extensive security measures. Police patrols maintain a 24-hour presence at the hotel entrance. Access requires passage through metal detectors, temporary surrender of mobile phones, and luggage screening via airport-style equipment. All vehicles are subject to rigorous checks, preventing rival supporter groups from approaching the building. The stringent security protocol reflects local anti-terrorism prevention measures adopted by Turkish authorities. The precautions remain elevated following the 2017 attack in the Besiktas district, which killed 39 people and injured 69, keeping vigilance high around major international events and delegations in the city. The comprehensive protective framework is designed to ensure safe passage for Paulo Dybala and his teammates during their stay. The match kicks off at 18:45 this evening as Roma begin their Champions League campaign after qualifying third in Serie A last season.

Gian Piero Gasperini takes Roma to Istanbul tonight to face Fenerbahce in his first Champions League match as Roma head coach, marking the culmination of the club's push for continental football since his appointment. The Grugliasco-born coach brings 33 previous European banches with Atalanta and one with Inter in 2011 to the fixture. Roma qualified for this season's Champions League by finishing third in Serie A last season. Gasperini has framed the club's approach with clarity on what success looks like in the competition. "Partaking in this competition is already something important and it is clear that it is different from the league," he said. "What I can ask is for us to be ourselves, because we have arrived to play it with our characteristics and with what we had put on the pitch during the year." The competition presents unfamiliar challenges—opponents from different leagues, elite players capable of shifting match momentum instantly—but Gasperini views his return to Champions League football with Roma as a source of personal satisfaction. Paulo Dybala features centrally in Roma's tactical setup and has impressed early this season. Gasperini praised his consistency: "He is already demonstrating his continuity, because his value is recognised. He has more continuity and when he is on the pitch we are better too." For the manager, this Champions League campaign represents a meaningful milestone: "Even for me it is a satisfaction to find the Champions League again with Roma, it is a greater source of gratification."

Roma face Fenerbahce in Istanbul this evening at 18.45 in their opening European away fixture of the season. The squad are staying at the Marriott Hotel in the Asian part of the city, a five-star property subject to extensive security measures. A police patrol maintains 24-hour surveillance at the entrance, where all visitors must pass through a metal detector, surrender their mobile phone, and submit baggage to screening machinery—a procedure mirroring airport protocol. All vehicles entering the premises are also inspected. These precautions prevent the kind of disturbances common in other European cities, where thousands of ultras have been known to set off fireworks during the night. The security framework reflects heightened concern over terrorist threats in Turkey. A 2017 attack in the Besiktas district killed 39 people and injured 69 others.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League tonight in Istanbul against Fenerbahçe at 18:45 CET, 2,745 days after their last appearance in the competition on 6 March 2019 in Porto. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear that the scale of the occasion will not prompt a tactical retreat: Roma must play with the same aggressive, high-pressing identity that has defined their early domestic form this season, attacking opponents rather than waiting for them. Gasperini said: "We must have faith in our means; we know we can put opponents in difficulty. But we also need to raise our level for these matches. The Champions League doesn't forgive mistakes." Fenerbahçe arrive without significant momentum, having lost their recent derby against Besiktas and dropping two league matches already, though their squad boasts considerable European experience including Milan Skriniar, N'Golo Kanté, Mason Greenwood, Ederson and Aké, plus Roma's former striker Romelu Lukaku. Manager Ismail Kartal has studied Roma's playing style in detail and identified spaces to exploit; an Istanbul atmosphere promises to be intense. Gasperini has led teams in 34 Champions League matches previously, including his first outing with Inter against Trabzonspor fifteen years ago, and built considerable European credibility with Atalanta, reaching 2020 just minutes short of the semi-finals after putting Paris Saint-Germain under severe pressure. He insists Roma must continue to play according to their nature even on the competition's biggest stage. Paulo Dybala, who brings 53 Champions League appearances, and Donyell Malen are expected to start in attack. Gasperini praised Dybala's consistency: "Paulo is showing continuity; his start is better than in previous years. With him on the pitch we are certainly stronger. Now we also score more goals—the general quality has risen, partly thanks to his connection with Malen." Matías Soulé appears favoured over Rodrigo Mora in midfield after deciding the recent fixture against Atalanta, while Nahuel Molina has gained preference over Emanuele Lulli at right-back for the experience Istanbul demands. The defence is expected to feature Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for inclusion after a strong display against Atalanta. Gasperini has also trialled Niccolò Pisilli in more advanced positions to balance midfield and attack. Approximately 2,300 Roma supporters have travelled to Istanbul for the match. The Champions League campaign ahead includes fixtures against Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester United, making tonight's result significant despite this serving as a verification of identity—whether the Roma seen in early domestic form can remain themselves when facing the competition's greatest stage.

Roma travel to Fenerbahçe today for their opening Champions League League Phase fixture at 18:45, marking their return to Europe's elite club competition after more than seven years away. Gian Piero Gasperini must settle a pair of selection dilemmas as he prepares his starting eleven. On the right flank, Nahuel Molina's experience is expected to edge out Emanuele Lulli, the 19-year-old who has made three Serie A starts. The main uncertainty centres on attacking midfield, where Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are competing for the role. Soulé arrives in form after scoring the winning goal against Atalanta on Saturday, while Mora is regarded as better suited to the pure trequartista position. Gasperini has also tested Niccolò Pisilli in that area during the week. Paulo Dybala is set to continue in the side. Rome's leading newspapers have offered differing predictions. La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero and Leggo favour a 3-4-1-2 shape with Soulé in the attacking role behind Dybala and Donyell Malen. Il Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport both lean toward a 3-4-2-1, positioning Soulé and Dybala together in the two attacking-midfield berths with Malen as the lone forward. La Repubblica and Il Tempo predict Mora will get the nod instead, also in a 3-4-1-2 setup. All eight forecasts agree on the back line and midfield spine: Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso across the defence; Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchoring midfield; Wesley on the left flank and Molina on the right.

Roma begin their Champions League campaign for the first time in 2745 days, facing Fenerbahce in Istanbul at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to field a settled side, with only minor tactical variations expected across the likely formations. The main selection debate centres on Nahuel Molina being favoured over Emanuele Lulli at right-back, and a choice between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in midfield, with Paulo Dybala expected to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable, though his recovery is nearly complete; Gasperini has the rest of the squad available. The Italian press outlets have outlined expected lineups in a near-consensus 3-4-1-2 formation, with mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso across the back three, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchoring midfield, and Wesley at left-back. Gasperini's reluctance to make wholesale changes reflects confidence in the squad's readiness for the competition's opening phase. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, Il Tempo and Il Romanista all offered predicted XIs, with five of the six outlets selecting Soulé in the attacking midfield role ahead of Mora. The single variation came from Il Tempo, which named Mora instead. All six retained Molina over Lulli in the right-back position, underlining the strength of consensus around that selection.