Roma return to Champions League after seven years; Gasperini relies on experience

Matías Soulé is set to play in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in a Roma shirt when the club visit Fenerbahce, the Turkish side managed by Vedat Muriqi, the former Lazio striker, and featuring Mason Greenwood on the right wing. Greenwood was a target Gian Piero Gasperini pursued during the summer transfer window—the position Soulé holds—and the Argentine remained at Roma throughout the market despite interest from several Premier League clubs. Soulé has recovered from a pubic bone injury that kept him sidelined over the summer and the pre-season. He spent the entire close season working to overcome the issue and regain full fitness, arriving back overweight and below his optimal condition before the squad's training camp. Gasperini has now restored him to the centre of his tactical plan, deployed alongside Paulo Dybala in attack. The Argentine was available for sale at a valuation of 40 million euros, but Gasperini confirmed there was never "a real proposal" that met Roma's demands. This is Soulé's first Champions League appearance for Roma; he last played in the competition four years ago while at Juventus. Gasperini said of Soulé's rehabilitation: "Before the retreat he had spent a long time out and arrived overweight and not yet at 100% fitness. During preparation he got back into shape. Now he is at the top again: he has put in excellent performances and recovered completely from both a physical and athletic standpoint."

Paulo Dybala will face the Champions League stage for the first time in over four years when Roma travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on matchday one of the league phase. The Argentine forward last appeared in the competition on 16 March 2022 in Juventus colours and has accumulated 53 appearances and 18 goals across his Champions League career. He remained at Roma over the summer to lead the club in Europe after a strong start to the season, recording four assists in the first three Serie A matches. The Istanbul fixture will pit Dybala against former Roma striker Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though Fenerbahce will be without suspended midfielder Guendouzi. For Roma, the match marks the Champions League debut of several squad members including Gianluca Mancini, Wesley, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, who will feature alongside more experienced European campaigners. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears to favour experience in his starting selection, with Nahuel Molina leading the race for the right-back role ahead of Emanuele Lulli, and Donyell Malen positioned as the central attacker, leaving the only outstanding decision on the attacking line between Soulé and Mora. Separately, the Italian Football Federation's Federal Prosecutor has opened a formal investigation into a verbal altercation between Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi and Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico that occurred after the Roma-Atalanta match. With no federal inspectors present in the Olimpico car park at the time of the incident, Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè will now assess the evidence and determine any disciplinary action.

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.

Matías Soulé is set to play in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in a Roma shirt when the club visit Fenerbahce, the Turkish side managed by Vedat Muriqi, the former Lazio striker, and featuring Mason Greenwood on the right wing. Greenwood was a target Gian Piero Gasperini pursued during the summer transfer window—the position Soulé holds—and the Argentine remained at Roma throughout the market despite interest from several Premier League clubs. Soulé has recovered from a pubic bone injury that kept him sidelined over the summer and the pre-season. He spent the entire close season working to overcome the issue and regain full fitness, arriving back overweight and below his optimal condition before the squad's training camp. Gasperini has now restored him to the centre of his tactical plan, deployed alongside Paulo Dybala in attack. The Argentine was available for sale at a valuation of 40 million euros, but Gasperini confirmed there was never "a real proposal" that met Roma's demands. This is Soulé's first Champions League appearance for Roma; he last played in the competition four years ago while at Juventus. Gasperini said of Soulé's rehabilitation: "Before the retreat he had spent a long time out and arrived overweight and not yet at 100% fitness. During preparation he got back into shape. Now he is at the top again: he has put in excellent performances and recovered completely from both a physical and athletic standpoint."

Paulo Dybala will face the Champions League stage for the first time in over four years when Roma travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on matchday one of the league phase. The Argentine forward last appeared in the competition on 16 March 2022 in Juventus colours and has accumulated 53 appearances and 18 goals across his Champions League career. He remained at Roma over the summer to lead the club in Europe after a strong start to the season, recording four assists in the first three Serie A matches. The Istanbul fixture will pit Dybala against former Roma striker Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though Fenerbahce will be without suspended midfielder Guendouzi. For Roma, the match marks the Champions League debut of several squad members including Gianluca Mancini, Wesley, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, who will feature alongside more experienced European campaigners. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears to favour experience in his starting selection, with Nahuel Molina leading the race for the right-back role ahead of Emanuele Lulli, and Donyell Malen positioned as the central attacker, leaving the only outstanding decision on the attacking line between Soulé and Mora. Separately, the Italian Football Federation's Federal Prosecutor has opened a formal investigation into a verbal altercation between Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi and Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico that occurred after the Roma-Atalanta match. With no federal inspectors present in the Olimpico car park at the time of the incident, Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè will now assess the evidence and determine any disciplinary action.

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 the Champions League stage for the first time in over four years when Roma travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on matchday one of the league phase. The Argentine forward last appeared in the competition on 16 March 2022 in Juventus colours and has accumulated 53 appearances and 18 goals across his Champions League career. He remained at Roma over the summer to lead the club in Europe after a strong start to the season, recording four assists in the first three Serie A matches. The Istanbul fixture will pit Dybala against former Roma striker Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though Fenerbahce will be without suspended midfielder Guendouzi. For Roma, the match marks the Champions League debut of several squad members including Gianluca Mancini, Wesley, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, who will feature alongside more experienced European campaigners. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears to favour experience in his starting selection, with Nahuel Molina leading the race for the right-back role ahead of Emanuele Lulli, and Donyell Malen positioned as the central attacker, leaving the only outstanding decision on the attacking line between Soulé and Mora. Separately, the Italian Football Federation's Federal Prosecutor has opened a formal investigation into a verbal altercation between Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi and Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico that occurred after the Roma-Atalanta match. With no federal inspectors present in the Olimpico car park at the time of the incident, Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè will now assess the evidence and determine any disciplinary action.

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.

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."

Paulo Dybala will face the Champions League stage for the first time in over four years when Roma travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on matchday one of the league phase. The Argentine forward last appeared in the competition on 16 March 2022 in Juventus colours and has accumulated 53 appearances and 18 goals across his Champions League career. He remained at Roma over the summer to lead the club in Europe after a strong start to the season, recording four assists in the first three Serie A matches. The Istanbul fixture will pit Dybala against former Roma striker Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though Fenerbahce will be without suspended midfielder Guendouzi. For Roma, the match marks the Champions League debut of several squad members including Gianluca Mancini, Wesley, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora, who will feature alongside more experienced European campaigners. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears to favour experience in his starting selection, with Nahuel Molina leading the race for the right-back role ahead of Emanuele Lulli, and Donyell Malen positioned as the central attacker, leaving the only outstanding decision on the attacking line between Soulé and Mora. Separately, the Italian Football Federation's Federal Prosecutor has opened a formal investigation into a verbal altercation between Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi and Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico that occurred after the Roma-Atalanta match. With no federal inspectors present in the Olimpico car park at the time of the incident, Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè will now assess the evidence and determine any disciplinary action.

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.

Roma are prioritising the January transfer window over free-agent signings to strengthen their squad, with left-back Jayden Oosterwolde and forward Endrick among their targets. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had agreed a €17 million deal with Oosterwolde but pulled out after medicals revealed his injury was more severe than initially expected. However, if he recovers in the coming months, both parties are expected to resume negotiations. Roma are also pursuing attacking reinforcements alongside Oosterwolde, with Endrick and Luiz Henrique identified as priorities. Per Corriere dello Sport, the Real Madrid forward has reportedly told Wesley and Brazilian teammates that a move to Rome could materialise in January. Roma and AC Milan both attempted to persuade Real Madrid to loan out Endrick, but José Mourinho refused to release him. The situation could change if Endrick fails to secure regular playing time or underperforms, potentially opening the door in coming months. Milan subsequently signed Omari Hutchison after missing out on their own targets. Roma's continued focus on Oosterwolde despite their withdrawal suggests eventual acquisition remains likely. The club has free-agent left-back options available but shows no interest in pursuing them, indicating they are not desperate for defensive reinforcements. With Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala performing well in attacking roles, Roma appear reluctant to add another left-footed forward at this stage.