Montella and Corbin Friedkin attend Roma's Champions League opener at Fenerbahçe

Roma played Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League on 8 September 2026 in Istanbul, with Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano in charge. The match saw several refereeing decisions under scrutiny in a detailed analysis of key moments. A significant VAR error occurred in the 31st minute when Gil Manzano correctly awarded Roma a corner, but the VAR team, led by César Soto Grado, chose to overturn the decision and award a throw-in to Fenerbahce instead. The error was compounded because Muldur had made the last contact with the ball, and there was no clear error to justify VAR intervention under protocol. In the 19th minute, Muldur committed a foul on Wesley after Wesley had already released the ball, but Gil Manzano did not caution the Fenerbahce player. Rensch received the first booking of the match in the 47th minute for a foul on Brown. Brown himself was cautioned in the 51st minute for a foul on Dybala. The full officiating team included assistants Diego Barbero and Guadalupe Porras Ayuso, with Valentín Gómez as AVAR and Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official.

Roma faced Fenerbahce in Istanbul for the first matchday of the Champions League league phase, but the broadcast proved difficult for many supporters in Rome. Sky Sport channels experienced reception problems during the afternoon as a violent downpour struck the city, causing malfunctions that extended to television signal transmission throughout the capital.

Roma chief executive Jhon Galantic spoke to journalists before kick-off in Istanbul as the club made their Champions League return after seven years, facing Fenerbahçe in the league phase. Galantic stressed the significance of the competition for the club and its supporters, particularly in Roma's centenary year. "It is fundamental to return to the Champions League after seven years, especially in the centenary year. For the club and for the fans this is a very important evening," he said. On the summer transfer market, Galantic explained Roma's strategy of balancing sporting and financial requirements while respecting UEFA parameters. He praised the players who remained at the club and accepted reduced salaries to stay. "We have to seek an equilibrium, as many clubs do, that allows us to field the most competitive squad possible while respecting UEFA parameters. It is not easy. I thank the ownership and the players who renewed their contracts and reduced their salaries to stay. We are very happy they remained. We have lowered the wage bill while also increasing the quality of the squad," he said. On the Friedkin Group's involvement and emotional investment in the project, Galantic revealed: "Many messages today and there will be more during the match. One of them is here this evening. They are excited and are inside this project. They are silent; they will have their own style but they are really, really very involved also on an emotional level."