Roma return to Champions League with confidence; Gasperini urges self-belief in Istanbul

Roma will not hold a standard training session on the day of their Champions League opener against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on 10 September at 18:45. Instead, the squad underwent only a light muscle-activation session at the hotel ahead of their debut in the competition's league phase. The last full session came with yesterday evening's final training run following Gasperini and Hermoso's press conference. Gasperini still has decisions to make before kick-off. Nahuel Molina appears certain to start at right-back ahead of Emanuele Lulli, but the forward line remains open. A battle continues between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the role supporting the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce in the league-phase opener at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field largely the same squad that started the season well, with Mile Svilar in goal and a settled back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The main change from the recent match against Atalanta appears to be on the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is favoured over Emanuele Lulli and could make his Roma debut as a starter in the Champions League. Wesley is set to continue on the left wing, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as the central midfield partnership. In the attacking area, Matías Soulé looks set to start at the expense of Rodrigo Mora. The Argentine impressed as a substitute in the Atalanta fixture, delivering an assist and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages. Soulé will operate behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini highlighted Dybala's importance at the pre-match press conference, stating that with the Argentine performing at his best Roma can raise their overall level. Malen remains the focal point of attack and has been Roma's standout performer so far this season. This setup would shift Roma's usual 3-4-1-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Dybala operating freely between the lines and Malen as the most advanced attacker. Gasperini has virtually the full squad available. Lorenzo Pellegrini was not selected despite being close to full fitness, while Devyne Rensch has returned to the available list. The UEFA squad list includes recent arrivals such as Marten de Roon, Molina and Leonardo Balerdi, all eligible for the league phase. Molina is rated 70% likely to start over Lulli, while Soulé is given a 60% chance ahead of Mora. Roma are expected to approach the Champions League return without major upheaval, but with two potential changes: Molina on the right flank and Soulé in the attacking midfield position.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League this evening at 18:45 with a trip to Fenerbahce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini plans to field Paulo Dybala from the start, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé competing for the third attacking spot alongside Donyell Malen. In defence, the trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is set to continue, while Nahuel Molina is expected to start at right-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Today also marks the 91st anniversary of Giacomo Losi's birth on 10 September 1935. The former Roma captain made 455 appearances across 15 years in the giallorossi colours, a tally second only to Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi in the club's all-time list. Roma paid tribute on social media: "91 years ago Giacomo Losi was born. Eternal giallorossi captain." Roma's Primavera squad returns to European competition today at 13:00 against Fenerbahce's Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League, marking their return to the competition seven years after their last participation. The club's best result remains a 2015 semi-final, when Lorenzo Pellegrini captained the side. Coach Scala will be without Arena, who stayed in Rome due to a knee issue not expected to be serious; forward Paratici may get an opportunity. The match will be broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Turkish club.

Roma will not hold a standard training session on the day of their Champions League opener against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on 10 September at 18:45. Instead, the squad underwent only a light muscle-activation session at the hotel ahead of their debut in the competition's league phase. The last full session came with yesterday evening's final training run following Gasperini and Hermoso's press conference. Gasperini still has decisions to make before kick-off. Nahuel Molina appears certain to start at right-back ahead of Emanuele Lulli, but the forward line remains open. A battle continues between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the role supporting the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce in the league-phase opener at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field largely the same squad that started the season well, with Mile Svilar in goal and a settled back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The main change from the recent match against Atalanta appears to be on the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is favoured over Emanuele Lulli and could make his Roma debut as a starter in the Champions League. Wesley is set to continue on the left wing, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as the central midfield partnership. In the attacking area, Matías Soulé looks set to start at the expense of Rodrigo Mora. The Argentine impressed as a substitute in the Atalanta fixture, delivering an assist and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages. Soulé will operate behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini highlighted Dybala's importance at the pre-match press conference, stating that with the Argentine performing at his best Roma can raise their overall level. Malen remains the focal point of attack and has been Roma's standout performer so far this season. This setup would shift Roma's usual 3-4-1-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Dybala operating freely between the lines and Malen as the most advanced attacker. Gasperini has virtually the full squad available. Lorenzo Pellegrini was not selected despite being close to full fitness, while Devyne Rensch has returned to the available list. The UEFA squad list includes recent arrivals such as Marten de Roon, Molina and Leonardo Balerdi, all eligible for the league phase. Molina is rated 70% likely to start over Lulli, while Soulé is given a 60% chance ahead of Mora. Roma are expected to approach the Champions League return without major upheaval, but with two potential changes: Molina on the right flank and Soulé in the attacking midfield position.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League this evening at 18:45 with a trip to Fenerbahce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini plans to field Paulo Dybala from the start, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé competing for the third attacking spot alongside Donyell Malen. In defence, the trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is set to continue, while Nahuel Molina is expected to start at right-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Today also marks the 91st anniversary of Giacomo Losi's birth on 10 September 1935. The former Roma captain made 455 appearances across 15 years in the giallorossi colours, a tally second only to Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi in the club's all-time list. Roma paid tribute on social media: "91 years ago Giacomo Losi was born. Eternal giallorossi captain." Roma's Primavera squad returns to European competition today at 13:00 against Fenerbahce's Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League, marking their return to the competition seven years after their last participation. The club's best result remains a 2015 semi-final, when Lorenzo Pellegrini captained the side. Coach Scala will be without Arena, who stayed in Rome due to a knee issue not expected to be serious; forward Paratici may get an opportunity. The match will be broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Turkish club.

Roma will not hold a standard training session on the day of their Champions League opener against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on 10 September at 18:45. Instead, the squad underwent only a light muscle-activation session at the hotel ahead of their debut in the competition's league phase. The last full session came with yesterday evening's final training run following Gasperini and Hermoso's press conference. Gasperini still has decisions to make before kick-off. Nahuel Molina appears certain to start at right-back ahead of Emanuele Lulli, but the forward line remains open. A battle continues between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the role supporting the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce in the league-phase opener at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field largely the same squad that started the season well, with Mile Svilar in goal and a settled back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The main change from the recent match against Atalanta appears to be on the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is favoured over Emanuele Lulli and could make his Roma debut as a starter in the Champions League. Wesley is set to continue on the left wing, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as the central midfield partnership. In the attacking area, Matías Soulé looks set to start at the expense of Rodrigo Mora. The Argentine impressed as a substitute in the Atalanta fixture, delivering an assist and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages. Soulé will operate behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini highlighted Dybala's importance at the pre-match press conference, stating that with the Argentine performing at his best Roma can raise their overall level. Malen remains the focal point of attack and has been Roma's standout performer so far this season. This setup would shift Roma's usual 3-4-1-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Dybala operating freely between the lines and Malen as the most advanced attacker. Gasperini has virtually the full squad available. Lorenzo Pellegrini was not selected despite being close to full fitness, while Devyne Rensch has returned to the available list. The UEFA squad list includes recent arrivals such as Marten de Roon, Molina and Leonardo Balerdi, all eligible for the league phase. Molina is rated 70% likely to start over Lulli, while Soulé is given a 60% chance ahead of Mora. Roma are expected to approach the Champions League return without major upheaval, but with two potential changes: Molina on the right flank and Soulé in the attacking midfield position.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League this evening at 18:45 with a trip to Fenerbahce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini plans to field Paulo Dybala from the start, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé competing for the third attacking spot alongside Donyell Malen. In defence, the trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is set to continue, while Nahuel Molina is expected to start at right-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Today also marks the 91st anniversary of Giacomo Losi's birth on 10 September 1935. The former Roma captain made 455 appearances across 15 years in the giallorossi colours, a tally second only to Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi in the club's all-time list. Roma paid tribute on social media: "91 years ago Giacomo Losi was born. Eternal giallorossi captain." Roma's Primavera squad returns to European competition today at 13:00 against Fenerbahce's Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League, marking their return to the competition seven years after their last participation. The club's best result remains a 2015 semi-final, when Lorenzo Pellegrini captained the side. Coach Scala will be without Arena, who stayed in Rome due to a knee issue not expected to be serious; forward Paratici may get an opportunity. The match will be broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Turkish club.

Roma will not hold a standard training session on the day of their Champions League opener against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on 10 September at 18:45. Instead, the squad underwent only a light muscle-activation session at the hotel ahead of their debut in the competition's league phase. The last full session came with yesterday evening's final training run following Gasperini and Hermoso's press conference. Gasperini still has decisions to make before kick-off. Nahuel Molina appears certain to start at right-back ahead of Emanuele Lulli, but the forward line remains open. A battle continues between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for the role supporting the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years on 10 September, travelling to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce in the league-phase opener at 18:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field largely the same squad that started the season well, with Mile Svilar in goal and a settled back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The main change from the recent match against Atalanta appears to be on the right flank, where Nahuel Molina is favoured over Emanuele Lulli and could make his Roma debut as a starter in the Champions League. Wesley is set to continue on the left wing, with Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné as the central midfield partnership. In the attacking area, Matías Soulé looks set to start at the expense of Rodrigo Mora. The Argentine impressed as a substitute in the Atalanta fixture, delivering an assist and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages. Soulé will operate behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini highlighted Dybala's importance at the pre-match press conference, stating that with the Argentine performing at his best Roma can raise their overall level. Malen remains the focal point of attack and has been Roma's standout performer so far this season. This setup would shift Roma's usual 3-4-1-2 formation into a 3-4-2-1, with Soulé and Dybala operating freely between the lines and Malen as the most advanced attacker. Gasperini has virtually the full squad available. Lorenzo Pellegrini was not selected despite being close to full fitness, while Devyne Rensch has returned to the available list. The UEFA squad list includes recent arrivals such as Marten de Roon, Molina and Leonardo Balerdi, all eligible for the league phase. Molina is rated 70% likely to start over Lulli, while Soulé is given a 60% chance ahead of Mora. Roma are expected to approach the Champions League return without major upheaval, but with two potential changes: Molina on the right flank and Soulé in the attacking midfield position.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League this evening at 18:45 with a trip to Fenerbahce. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini plans to field Paulo Dybala from the start, with Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé competing for the third attacking spot alongside Donyell Malen. In defence, the trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso is set to continue, while Nahuel Molina is expected to start at right-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Today also marks the 91st anniversary of Giacomo Losi's birth on 10 September 1935. The former Roma captain made 455 appearances across 15 years in the giallorossi colours, a tally second only to Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi in the club's all-time list. Roma paid tribute on social media: "91 years ago Giacomo Losi was born. Eternal giallorossi captain." Roma's Primavera squad returns to European competition today at 13:00 against Fenerbahce's Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League, marking their return to the competition seven years after their last participation. The club's best result remains a 2015 semi-final, when Lorenzo Pellegrini captained the side. Coach Scala will be without Arena, who stayed in Rome due to a knee issue not expected to be serious; forward Paratici may get an opportunity. The match will be broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Turkish club.