# Roma Draw 1–1 at Fenerbahçe in Champions League Return After Seven Years
Roma ended a seven-year absence from the UEFA Champions League with a 1–1 draw away at Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on 10 September. Bryan Cristante gave Roma the lead in the first half with a clinical finish, but Fenerbahçe equalized early in the second half through Brown after a defensive lapse, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini's side with a single point from their opening fixture in the league phase. The match marked Roma's first Champions League appearance since 6 March 2019, when they were eliminated by Porto — a gap of 2,745 days. Only two players from that Porto squad remain: Cristante, who came off the bench in Lisbon and now captains the side, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who was absent through injury.
Mile Svilar made crucial saves to keep the score level, with the goalkeeper earning consistent praise across Italian outlets for his performance. Bryan Cristante stood out as the standout performer, receiving ratings of 7 across multiple publications for his composure, positioning and recovery work beyond his goal contribution. However, defensive vulnerabilities emerged in the second half. Gianluca Mancini, making his Champions League debut, struggled and was rated between 5 and 5.5 before being substituted at the 74th minute, with Leonardo Balerdi replacing him and earning marks of 6 to 6.5. Wesley endured a difficult evening on the right, consistently rated between 5 and 6, appearing caught out of position for the equaliser. Manu Koné received marks of 6.5 to 7 for his midfield contributions, while Paulo Dybala managed 6.5, reaching 7 only from Il Corriere dello Sport.
Gasperini's side controlled possession with 58 per cent of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, demonstrating tactical maturity and patient play against Fenerbahçe's ultra-defensive setup. The coach acknowledged the step up required: "The Champions League doesn't forgive mistakes. We need to raise our level for these matches." However, Roma's vulnerability to counter-pressure in the second half exposed areas requiring refinement. Gasperini told reporters after the match: "It is not easy in this environment. Fenerbahçe closed very tightly and would break quickly with very fast players. We need more attention when we move out from a low defensive formation, as happened with the goal we conceded." When asked about substitutes Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina, he added: "I do not agree: Balerdi and Molina came on well." The draw represents a solid opening result for Roma's European return, though the manager recognised the need for greater consistency when transitioning between defensive and attacking phases.
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