Roma stadium commissioner Sessa expresses cautious optimism after first service conference

Roma will officially return to the Champions League pitch within hours, seven years after their last appearance in the competition. The wait is finally over. Aldair, the club's former defender and a pillar of Roma's golden era as leader and captain, sent a message of goodwill to the supporters on social media: "Champions League nights put you up against the best, and every challenge becomes a memory that stays with you. Today Roma returns to living those emotions. Good luck in the Champions League, romanisti." The Brazilian's words reflect the nostalgia and hope among fans for a return to that period of success. Roma's first fixture in the competition takes place tonight, with attention turning to Istanbul.

Turkish police have arrested five people and identified six others in connection with a ticket fraud operation ahead of Fenerbahçe's clash with Roma. Counterfeit tickets were being sold on social media as fans scrambled to secure entry to the sold-out match in Istanbul. The operation targeted the black market for match tickets as Roma supporters travelled to the city. Roma fans gathered in the Turkish capital with the stadium at capacity. Police advised supporters against wearing Roma scarves or shirts while moving around the city to avoid contact with Fenerbahçe ultras. The Roma contingent will assemble at around 16:30 local time at Pizza Sultanahmet, with shuttles to depart from there to the stadium. Authorities characterised the atmosphere as set to be intense.

AS Roma marked what would have been Giacomo Losi's 91st birthday on 10 September with a tribute to the club legend on its social media channels. Losi, born in Soncino on 10 September 1935, passed away on 4 February 2024 at the age of 88. The defender, nicknamed Core di Roma (Heart of Rome), captained the club and held the record for appearances in Roma colours for many years. In 15 seasons at the club, Losi made 455 appearances in a Roma shirt. Only Francesco Totti, with 785 appearances, and Daniele De Rossi, with 616, surpassed his tally. Roma paid tribute to him with the message: "91 years ago Giacomo Losi was born. Eternal Giallorossi captain."