Pellegrini fit for Istanbul as Roma prepare Champions League debut

Roma's squad will remain unchanged until January, with the club deciding against signing free agents and planning to address the left-wing position in the winter transfer window. Guerreiro was offered to the club in recent days, according to Fabrizio Romano, but the former Bayern Munich player did not fully convince head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and no negotiations have taken place with the player, who remains a free agent. Jadon Sancho, who came close to joining Roma a year ago, has also been proposed following his departure from Aston Villa and current status without a club. However, Roma rejected this option due to significant doubts about the English forward: recovering him to full fitness would require considerable time, and the club decided against pursuing that avenue.

Roma rejected an approach from Chelsea in the closing stages of the summer transfer window over the sale of Manu Koné, the club's hierarchy deciding to keep the midfielder despite financial pressure. Chelsea had identified Koné as the ideal replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who moved to Manchester City, but no formal offer reached sporting director D'Amico's desk. The decision to hold firm reflects Gasperini's reliance on Koné as a cornerstone of the Roma midfield since arriving last year, with the coach having only been without him due to injury. Koné's importance to Gasperini's system lies in his dynamism and physical power in the centre, qualities that enable the manager to control matches. His presence allows the team to dominate possession and transition play. The midfielder has started all three league fixtures, putting in strong performances against Fiorentina and Lecce before Saturday's match against Atalanta delivered further proof of his value to the project. In that Atalanta fixture, Koné recovered the ball seven times and made two interceptions while also orchestrating transitions quickly, supporting Bryan Cristante in build-up play with key passes and through balls. Gasperini's faith in him underlines how central he remains to Roma's Champions League ambitions this season. The club chose sporting stability over the balance-sheet relief a transfer would have provided.

Paulo Dybala will face Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on Thursday evening as Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in eight years. The Argentine has not played in the competition since Juventus fell to Villarreal in the group stage on 16 March 2022. Dybala has made 53 Champions League appearances, scoring 18 goals, and returns to Europe's elite club competition having remained at Roma despite doubts surrounding the team's ability to qualify. He has started every pre-season match and all three league fixtures so far this season, missing only 15 minutes against Fiorentina and Lecce while providing four assists, though a goal remains elusive. Thursday's matchup will see Dybala reunite with former teammates Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, both now with Fenerbahçe. Greenwood was reportedly a candidate to join Roma this summer, while midfielder Sofyan Amrabat—whom Dybala has clashed with multiple times in Rome derbies—is sidelined by suspension. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field experienced defender Nahuel Molina ahead of Emanuele Lulli, with the attacking responsibilities shared between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora at centre-forward. Both have never played in the Champions League, though they have company among Roma's debutants in the competition: Gianluca Mancini, Wesley, Manu Koné and Niccolò Pisilli are all making their first appearance. Players with prior Champions League experience include Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Leonardo Balerdi, Donyell Malen and Santiago Castro. Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation's legal department has opened an investigation into events following Roma's Serie A match against Atalanta. Atalanta's chief executive Luca Percassi allegedly verbally assaulted Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico in the post-match period, according to multiple witnesses. Inspectors were not present at the time; federal prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné will now assess the evidence.

Paulo Dybala will face Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on Thursday evening as Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in eight years. The Argentine has not played in the competition since Juventus fell to Villarreal in the group stage on 16 March 2022. Dybala has made 53 Champions League appearances, scoring 18 goals, and returns to Europe's elite club competition having remained at Roma despite doubts surrounding the team's ability to qualify. He has started every pre-season match and all three league fixtures so far this season, missing only 15 minutes against Fiorentina and Lecce while providing four assists, though a goal remains elusive. Thursday's matchup will see Dybala reunite with former teammates Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, both now with Fenerbahçe. Greenwood was reportedly a candidate to join Roma this summer, while midfielder Sofyan Amrabat—whom Dybala has clashed with multiple times in Rome derbies—is sidelined by suspension. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field experienced defender Nahuel Molina ahead of Emanuele Lulli, with the attacking responsibilities shared between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora at centre-forward. Both have never played in the Champions League, though they have company among Roma's debutants in the competition: Gianluca Mancini, Wesley, Manu Koné and Niccolò Pisilli are all making their first appearance. Players with prior Champions League experience include Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Leonardo Balerdi, Donyell Malen and Santiago Castro. Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation's legal department has opened an investigation into events following Roma's Serie A match against Atalanta. Atalanta's chief executive Luca Percassi allegedly verbally assaulted Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico in the post-match period, according to multiple witnesses. Inspectors were not present at the time; federal prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné will now assess the evidence.

Santiago Castro entered Roma's match against Atalanta at the 62nd minute as an unlikely substitute, replacing the league's in-form forward Donyell Malen, yet the move proved to be the turning point in a game the hosts trailed. In his brief appearance, Castro struck the post and crossbar while providing two key passes, underscoring the quality of Roma's bench and prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to praise his aggression. The Argentine's introduction illustrated the gulf between Roma's attacking depth now and the crisis that plagued them throughout the previous season. Last season Gasperini struggled with inadequate backup at centre-forward. Artem Dovbyk managed only 386 minutes in the league, while Evan Ferguson accumulated 776; injuries to both forced the coach into makeshift solutions, sometimes fielding a lone striker. Malen's January arrival from Dortmund transformed the dynamic, yet even then Gasperini was stretched thin managing the Dutchman's workload in a frenetic system that demands fresh energy. Castro's arrival this summer completes the picture. The forward combines goal-scoring instinct, the ability to run channels, ball retention and defensive work rate—qualities already evident in his early outings in red and gold. Gasperini's post-match verdict captured the shift: "The changes were good and that's what we were looking for—to complete this squad with substitutes who could give important help across matches. In finishing and in the forward area we were good, but we lacked intensity. We were sometimes too neat, aside from Castro's post and crossbar." Against Atalanta, Castro fired four shots—two on target and two off the woodwork—laying down a marker as a genuine alternative to Malen. Soulé scored, Molina offered fresh options on the flank and Balerdi commanded the defence like a squad veteran. Gasperini acknowledged the possibility of using both attackers together: "Castro and Malen together? It's an idea for the future. They can coexist, definitely. They can play together. We'll see; we're doing evaluations now. We'll have many matches so there will be chances for everyone and also to vary these systems." The contrast with previous seasons is stark. Roma's manager can now turn to a bench and find genuine competition for the starting eleven rather than, as José Mourinho once lamented, mere children. The scale of available rotation across the squad—particularly in attack and defence—represents a luxury rarely seen at Trigoria in recent years.

Zeki Çelik's departure this summer has proven beneficial for Roma, with the Turkish defender struggling at his new club while the Giallorossi have found capable alternatives. Çelik, who had agreed a renewal with Roma before changing his mind to join another side, has posted uninspiring numbers in his opening matches. Against Milan yesterday he recorded zero successful crosses, matching the same figure across his previous two outings against Parma and Frosinone. Social media criticism has already mounted, with fans questioning the absence of a 'Çelik cam'—a reference to a video DAZN produced weeks earlier following his first friendly appearance. His exit has cleared the path for Emanuele Lulli, who has become integral to Gasperini's setup. Initially withdrawn from the transfer market, Lulli started in all three of Roma's opening matches and has impressed the coaching staff considerably. Equally significant is the emergence of Nahuel Molina, the Argentine fullback who is continuing to build his fitness following Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Against Atalanta, Molina made a decisive 36-minute appearance, creating multiple dangerous situations and setting up a header from Santiago Castro that struck the crossbar. He recorded 100 per cent of tackles won and 90 per cent pass accuracy. Roma's first Champions League fixture arrives Thursday against Feyenoord, with Molina and Lulli in direct competition for the fullback berth. Molina's experience in high-pressure stadiums should serve him well as Roma prepare for what the article describes as an extremely hostile environment.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has recovered from recent injury and returned to full training with Roma's squad, a significant boost for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club prepares for its European campaign. The midfielder had been sidelined by problems that disrupted the previous weeks but is now working normally with his teammates at Trigoria, the club confirmed via social media with a training video captioned "Towards Istanbul". The recovery is timely as Roma enters the critical phase of the season where squad rotation and energy management become increasingly important. Pellegrini's availability gives Gasperini more options in midfield at a moment when the team will need to balance domestic and continental commitments. This comes after Roma secured a third consecutive league victory, maintaining momentum before the European campaign begins.

Roma began preparations for their Champions League campaign with a training session on Thursday ahead of their debut in Europe's elite competition against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday. Lorenzo Pellegrini trained with the group and is targeting a recall to the squad. The club's focus extends beyond the pitch: director D'Amico has identified a need for a left-sided forward, and Roma are considering Jadon Sancho, currently a free agent. New contact has been made with the English player, with the idea of a pay-per-appearance contract arrangement.

Jadon Sancho has re-entered Roma's thinking more than a year after the club's pursuit of him ended with his move to Aston Villa last summer. The English winger is now a free agent and represents a potential opportunity for the Giallorossi. Roma's management are considering offering him a performance-based contract, with wages tied to appearances, to provide the right-footed winger Gian Piero Gasperini has requested to complete the attacking department. No negotiations are currently underway, but Sancho remains a concrete option to monitor over the coming weeks. Separately, Roma face travel restrictions for Monday's fixture at Torino, scheduled for 18:30 on 14 September. A ticket sales ban has been imposed for residents of Rome's province, preventing them from attending the match at the Olimpico Grande Torino. Residents elsewhere in Lazio may purchase tickets only in the away section and exclusively with an AS Roma membership card. Roma's Champions League opener against Fenerbahçe is set for Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu in Istanbul. Fenerbahçe have returned to training following a loss to Besiktas and will be without Mateo Guendouzi, suspended by UEFA for the match after incidents in a preliminary tie against Lyon. Marco Asensio is under assessment after two weeks out with injury and has not featured in training. Fenerbahçe's coach hopes to recover Akturkoglu and to have Romelu Lukaku at full fitness, while Oosterwolde remains unavailable following surgery. Analyst Piero Torri stated: "Roma are currently unbeaten alongside Inter, and these are certainly positive responses. From now until December it will be entirely a question of injuries: if Roma are not hit by injuries, their squad is sufficient. All the same, Pisilli and Rensch remained on the bench on Saturday, and Pellegrini will return." Commentator Carina added: "Roma are finally 'Gasperini-style': they are the same Roma we saw in Gasperini's Atalanta. Three matches and three games in the Gasperini style: they never stop. It is a squad that takes your breath away. And for the first time a coach wins the match by removing two defenders: had he not taken off N'Dicka and Mancini, Roma would have suffered a second goal, because both fail to understand each other against Kristovic and run into difficulty."