Progress made on Pellegrini contract renewal: wages cut to 2.5m

Mason Greenwood will face Roma for the first time since a failed transfer pursuit, now wearing the Fenerbahçe colours in their Champions League clash in Istanbul. The English forward was a priority target for Gian Piero Gasperini during the summer transfer window, and the Roma coach recently acknowledged his disappointment at failing to complete the deal. Greenwood will instead pose a significant threat in what is Roma's opening European fixture of the season. The transfer saga has captured attention in Turkey ahead of the match. Turkish outlet Fanatik stoked anticipation by using Greenwood's connection to Roma, with the publication stating: "Greenwood will destroy Roma. After having refused them, now he will show his value." For Roma, the task now is to move past what happened in the summer market. Greenwood was identified as a key attacking reinforcement for Gasperini's squad, but the operation fell through and the player opted to join Fenerbahçe instead.

Jeremie Leweling has found himself sidelined at Stuttgart after a dramatic summer transfer saga with Roma that ultimately collapsed. The German forward has appeared only in the closing stages of matches against Bayern Munich and Cologne, totalling just 48 minutes on the pitch. Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß prefers attacking midfielders Undav and El Khannouss behind striker Pejcinovic, with Vagnoman occupying the right flank, leaving little room for Leweling in the team's setup. The player's summer proved chaotic. Roma and Stuttgart agreed a €35 million transfer fee, with both clubs satisfied by the deal—Stuttgart especially pleased to receive the revenue. Leweling repeatedly changed his mind, however: he committed to Roma, then reversed course, then reconsidered again, with a plane waiting to fly him to Italy before another change of heart. The indecision infuriated both clubs. Had the move succeeded, Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini had planned to deploy Leweling in a dual role that would have guaranteed regular playing time. Instead, Roma continue without him and perform well, Leweling sits unused at Stuttgart and faces criticism from local supporters. The failed transfer has left both parties worse off.

Roma have decided against signing any free agents this summer and will keep their current squad unchanged until the January transfer window, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has determined. Tony D'Amico, speaking at his first press conference in early September, had said the club would evaluate free-agent options, but those assessments are now complete. Gasperini trusts the existing group and does not want to add players simply to fill gaps. Proposals arrived for Jadon Sancho, Wilfried Zaha, and Serge Guerriero, but Roma quickly discarded the first two without serious consideration. Guerriero, the former Bayern Munich left-back, was briefly considered before strong performances by Emanuele Lulli and the return of Devyne Rensch ended that prospect. Two positions remain short in Gasperini's squad, prompting D'Amico to prepare for January business. Lesley Leweling was ruled out after poor conduct in the final days of the summer window, and financial difficulties ruled out Luiz Henrique. Roma's focus has shifted to Endrick, a Brazilian forward who has not yet played a minute for Real Madrid under Mourinho and is eager for playing time. Last season in January he joined Lyon on loan, a formula Roma may repeat this year. Although not a left winger by trade, Gasperini is confident of deploying him across the entire attack front.

Roma will face Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase on Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul. It is Roma's first Champions League appearance in seven years. Gasperini, managing Roma in the competition for only the second time in his career, said in his press conference: "I am curious to see this Roma in the Champions League, we will encounter the best clubs from every championship and we must be good at maintaining our identity." Mario Hermoso echoed the importance of the occasion, stating: "This competition represents a very important milestone for us but we want to make it a constant." The squad is in good condition with the exception of Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is not included in the matchday selection. Gasperini confirmed Roma will be able to use rotation and changes during the campaign. The manager cited the recent victory over Atalanta as having given the team "energy and strength." Fenerbahçe's manager offered praise for Roma's prospects, saying the club "has the strongest squad in its history."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League return, confirming that Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the trip to Istanbul through injury. Roma face Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45 in the first matchday of the league phase. Antonio Arena is also unavailable. Ahead of the fixture, Gasperini outlined Roma's approach to Europe's elite competition. "We will encounter top teams in their respective leagues and especially sides with extraordinary players who can change the result even in a balanced match thanks to their individual quality," the coach said. "We need to know this and try to control it, but we also need to be very good at not losing our identity, to have confidence in our means and know that we can also put opponents in difficulty." Defender Mario Hermoso, who impressed in Roma's recent Serie A win against Atalanta, addressed the step up in competition. "To play a great match tomorrow we need to know what the opponent's strongest points are. We have done that work. For us this is a new competition and we need to raise our level compared to Serie A. The best teams play in this cup and these types of matches. You have to have a great season to play them, so we are happy. We have the will to make a great start to the Champions League here in Istanbul." Meanwhile, Fabio Maresca will referee Torino v Roma on Monday at 18:30 in Serie A's fourth round. Maresca will be assisted by Tegoni and Fontani, with Sozza as fourth official; Aureliano and Ghersini will operate VAR. Maresca has refereed Roma 20 times in his career—more than any team except Lazio—with a record of 9 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats. Most recently he oversaw the May Derby della Capitale won 2–0 by Gasperini's side, goals from Gianluca Mancini.

Actor and Roma fan Lino Banfi has spoken about Gasperini's side ahead of their Champions League debut this season, praising the atmosphere at the club and backing the team to compete at the highest level. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Banfi described the mood at Roma: "It's wonderful, this city deserves this euphoria. It seems to me that the environment is truly unified behind this manager and this fantastic group of players that I had the chance to meet at Trigoria a few months ago. In the Champions League we will need the best Roma, we play in a hot stadium but if Roma play as they did against Atalanta they can do it. I also suggest to Gasp a bi-zone system—he knows what I mean." Roma sit top of the table after the opening three Serie A matches. Banfi, Pugliese-born but a lifelong Roman, was impressed by how Gasperini has settled into the role despite coming from the north. "Even though he's from the north he has adapted well and understood the city," Banfi explained. He recounted a visit to Trigoria where Gasperini involved him in a prank on the players: "When he saw me come out, Pellegrini was moved and Dybala hugged me saying that one day he would like to celebrate a goal shouting my catchphrase 'Porca Puttena'." Gasperini was also celebrated by the Verona squad, who threw him in the air and quoted Banfi's film line "You took me for a fool."

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Champions League return at Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45. Lorenzo Pellegrini is the only absentee from the travelling party to Istanbul but is expected to be available for Roma's Serie A match against Torino on Monday. Otherwise Gasperini has the full group at his disposal, including Devyne Rensch, and can select from: Goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. Defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfielders Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. Forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Fenerbahçe–Roma on 10 September at 18:45, marking the Giallorossi's return to the UEFA Champions League. Devyne Rensch is back in contention after a spell out, but Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the Istanbul trip and plays no part in the squad. Gasperini otherwise has his full European list available. The squad named comprises: Goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; Defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; Midfielders Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; Forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Roma have announced their squad for the Champions League League Phase opener at Fenerbahce on 10 September at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has omitted Antonio Arena and Lorenzo Pellegrini from the travelling party, despite Pellegrini being registered on Roma's official UEFA squad list for the competition. Pellegrini's absence is notable given his status as a regular in the club's plans. The midfielder remains on the competition roster but will not feature in Istanbul for Roma's return to Europe's elite competition after the previous season's Europa League campaign. The squad includes: Defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; Midfielders Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; Forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.