Roma open Champions League campaign in Istanbul against Fenerbahce

Minutes before kick-off in the Fenerbahçe–Roma match, the former Lazio striker Muriqi staged a brief confrontation with a Roma staff member. He left the warm-up area, crossed the halfway line and moved towards the section where Roma's players were preparing, aiming to incite the crowd on that side of the pitch. A Roma staff member took exception to the gesture, approached him and instructed him to return to his side of the field. The incident carried the flavour of a derby encounter, fitting for the ex-Lazio player. Muriqi started the match and led Fenerbahçe's attacking line.

Roma returned to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in seven years this evening, traveling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the League Phase. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrived on the back of three consecutive Serie A victories, while the Turkish champions looked to capitalize on home support at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Gasperini deployed Roma in a 3–4–2–1 formation, selecting Devyne Rensch at right-back for the match. The manager settled an attacking midfield decision in favour of Matías Soulé, who won the contest with Rodrigo Mora to operate alongside Paulo Dybala behind striker Donyell Malen. Mile Svilar started in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the back three. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchored the centre of midfield, while Wesley held the left-back role. Fenerbahçe lined up as Ederson; Mert Müldür, Skriniar, Aké, Brown; Yüksek, Kanté; Aktürkoğlu, Elmaz, Greenwood; Muriqi, under manager İsmail Kartal. The Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano oversaw proceedings, with Valentín Gómez and César Soto Grado assigned to VAR duties. Roma's substitute bench included goalkeepers Pierluigi Gollini and Giorgio De Marzi, defenders Nahuel Molina, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Leonardo Balerdi and Daniele Ghilardi, midfielder Marten de Roon and attackers Niccolò Pisilli, Rodrigo Mora and Santiago Castro.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League after a seven-year absence when they travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on Thursday at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. It is their first meeting with the Turkish side, who qualified for the main draw after navigating a gruelling six-game process that included victories over Gornik Zabrze, Sturm Graz, and Lyon. Fenerbahce have added significant attacking reinforcements with the signings of Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though ex-Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi must serve a red-card ban and Jayden Oosterwolde remains sidelined with an Achilles injury. Roma's domestic form has been outstanding. Gian Piero Gasperini's side began the Serie A season with consecutive 4-0 victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, before pulling off a stunning comeback to beat Atalanta 2-1 last Saturday. Despite generating 2.94 xG and making 39 attempts, Roma trailed 1-0 in the 89th minute before Mario Hermoso and Matías Soulé scored in quick succession to snatch victory. Donyell Malen has been prolific, hauling five goals in the first two Serie A rounds. The Giallorossi have now scored at least two goals in eight consecutive matches across all competitions, winning all of them. They are bidding to become the first Italian side to secure an away Champions League win over Turkish opposition since November 2005. Gasperini has a strong recent European pedigree, suffering just four defeats in his last 23 group or league-phase games in the Champions League (W10, D9), though Roma have won only one of their last six opening-day fixtures in Europe's top competition—a 5-1 rout of CSKA Moscow in 2014–15. Fenerbahce hold a worrying historical record against Italian opposition in the Champions League, having lost five of six matches (W1). However, they have been formidable at home, losing only five of their last 32 UEFA fixtures in Istanbul (W20, D7) and opening the scoring in four of their five home outings this season. Lorenzo Pellegrini is Roma's only notable absentee. Gasperini is expected to field the same starting XI that faced Atalanta, with Nahuel Molina anticipated to start at right wing ahead of Emanuele Lulli. The forecast is for a high-scoring draw, with both teams boasting significant firepower and a strong start to the season in front of goal.