Roma return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since March 2019, when they face Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on 10 September at 18:45. The club's seven-and-a-half-year absence from Europe's elite competition ends with a trip to the Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium in Kadıköy, a neighbourhood on the Asian side of the city renowned for its intense atmosphere. Approximately 400 Roma supporters will travel from Italy for the fixture, which marks the opening round of the new Champions League league phase. Gasperini's side arrive in exceptional form, having won all three Serie A matches so far this season, including a dramatic 2–1 comeback against Atalanta on Saturday.
Only Lorenzo Pellegrini is unavailable through injury, with the rest of the squad at Gasperini's disposal. Paulo Dybala has recovered from injury and is expected to start, while Donyell Malen will lead the attack. The manager faces selection decisions on the right flank and attacking midfield. On the right, Nahuel Molina is favored over 19-year-old Emanuele Lulli, while Matías Soulé—who scored against Atalanta—competes with Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen. Italian outlets diverge on formation and personnel: Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport predict a 3–4–2–1 with Soulé and Dybala together in attacking midfield, while La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera and others suggest a 3–4–1–2 with Soulé supporting the front two. La Repubblica and Il Tempo forecast Mora getting the nod instead. All outlets agree on the back line and midfield spine: Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchoring midfield; Wesley at left-back and Molina on the right.
Gasperini has emphasized Roma's identity and confidence heading into the contest. "It's the most important competition, but we must not lose our identity; we need to be ourselves," he said. Defender Mario Hermoso reinforced the message in a pre-match press conference: "Nothing changes for us. We'll play with the same identity and mentality we showed on Saturday evening." Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal described Roma as "the best squad in their history," acknowledging their aggressive pressing, physical play and ability to move players forward rapidly after winning possession. The Turkish club will be without suspended midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi, though president Aziz Yıldırım has submitted an appeal hoping for a reduction in the sanction. Marco Asensio is also unavailable through injury. Fenerbahçe will field Mason Greenwood, the English forward Roma pursued throughout the summer transfer window before his move to Turkey, alongside Romelu Lukaku and former Inter captain Milan Skriniar.
Only two players remain from Roma's last Champions League appearance in 2019, when they lost 3–1 to Porto in extra time in the round of 16. Bryan Cristante, who came off the bench that night, will captain the side, while Lorenzo Pellegrini was unused on the bench in Lisbon. The club's ownership, management and coaching staff have undergone wholesale change since then—six managers have passed through. UEFA has appointed a Spanish refereeing team, with Jesús Gil Manzano as referee. Gil Manzano has previously overseen two Roma matches in European competition, with a mixed record: Roma won 5–3 on penalties against Feyenoord in the 2023–24 Europa League and lost 2–1 to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 2019–20 Europa League. In a humanitarian gesture, Roma
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