Roma, tra poco le parole di Gasperini dopo il pareggio contro il Fenerbahce

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years as they face Fenerbahçe at the Chobani Stadium in the competition's opening match. Vincenzo Montella, the Roma legend and current Turkey national team coach, will be in attendance for the fixture. Corbin Friedkin, a member of the ownership group, will also be present in the stands—a visible show of support from the Texas-based Friedkin Group for Gasperini's squad. The CEO Galantic underlined the ownership's close involvement with the team in comments made shortly before kickoff.

Roma chief executive Jhon Galantic spoke to journalists before kick-off in Istanbul as the club made their Champions League return after seven years, facing Fenerbahçe in the league phase. Galantic stressed the significance of the competition for the club and its supporters, particularly in Roma's centenary year. "It is fundamental to return to the Champions League after seven years, especially in the centenary year. For the club and for the fans this is a very important evening," he said. On the summer transfer market, Galantic explained Roma's strategy of balancing sporting and financial requirements while respecting UEFA parameters. He praised the players who remained at the club and accepted reduced salaries to stay. "We have to seek an equilibrium, as many clubs do, that allows us to field the most competitive squad possible while respecting UEFA parameters. It is not easy. I thank the ownership and the players who renewed their contracts and reduced their salaries to stay. We are very happy they remained. We have lowered the wage bill while also increasing the quality of the squad," he said. On the Friedkin Group's involvement and emotional investment in the project, Galantic revealed: "Many messages today and there will be more during the match. One of them is here this evening. They are excited and are inside this project. They are silent; they will have their own style but they are really, really very involved also on an emotional level."

The Friedkin ownership made sure not to miss Roma's opening Champions League fixture this evening against Fenerbahce in Turkey, with Corbin Friedkin, the younger brother of vice-president Ryan Friedkin, present in the stands. The attendance underscored the ownership's commitment to Gasperini's project. CEO Galantic said: "With the ownership there have been a lot of messages today and there will be more during the match. There is one of them here this evening, they are excited and they are inside this project. They are silent, they will have their own style but they are really very much involved also at an emotional level." Corbin had also been present at the Olimpico on 4 May for the 4–0 win over Fiorentina, an appearance Gasperini described at the time as "a signal for the future". The presence of the Texas-based ownership at tonight's match in Istanbul signals the continuity of their involvement in the club's European campaign and first-team affairs under the new head coach.

Gian Piero Gasperini defended Roma's performance in their 1–1 draw at Fenerbahçe in the Champions League league phase on matchday one, saying the result was valuable despite the difficulty of the task. "We saw everything you expect from a Champions League match tonight: intensity, speed, desire to compete in open play, courageous teams," Gasperini said. "I asked my squad not to lose their identity; I think we did well on that front." He added: "It was not easy on this pitch, with this atmosphere and against a side that, despite playing at home, shut themselves in tight and looked to break on the counter with some extremely quick players. I believe we played an excellent match. Then in the end this draw came, which for the table can be important: draws are also necessary to reach our objectives." Gasperini acknowledged defensive lapses, particularly around Roma's left flank, where Fenerbahçe found space behind the back line on several occasions before scoring. He conceded the team had exited poorly from one such situation. "We certainly came out badly, but this time it happens more when we are deep and almost set in shape, rather than when we are playing in the opposition's half. That is certainly something we must work on, because you cannot always play, especially in this kind of match and competition—sometimes you find yourself having to be positioned lower down. That was certainly a bad exit." On his substitutions, Gasperini was satisfied with most, saying Balerdi and Molina "came in very well, and also Pisilli." He was less convinced by Rodrigo Mora, remarking: "I hoped his speed could cause problems for a rearguard so tight. It wasn't even easy to find him between the lines. This year in that respect we have the right approach from everyone." Roma conceded early in the second half, continuing a pattern Gasperini noted had occurred in their previous match against Atalanta. "Two clues make proof," he said with a laugh. "Not everything in football is explicable—sometimes there is chance, other times there may be something. From the next match onwards we must be careful." Koné departed the match due to a physical problem, Gasperini confirmed.

Roma begin their Champions League campaign tonight against Fenerbahçe at the Chobani Stadyumu FB Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul. The match kicks off at 18:45 CET (19:45 local time) and is the first game of the league phase. Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano will take charge. Devyne Rensch starts at right-back. This fixture marks Roma's return to Europe's elite competition after seven years away from the Champions League. The club last played in this competition on 6 March 2019, when Alex Telles scored for Porto in extra time to eliminate Roma in the last 16 under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. In the intervening period, Roma have contested a Europa League final and won the UEFA Conference League. That trophy win in particular has revived the club's European credentials and set the stage for tonight's Istanbul encounter. Roma will be hoping to use their previous European runs as inspiration. The club has produced memorable performances in recent European campaigns, including the "Romuntada" comeback against Barcelona and the controversial match against Liverpool at the Olimpico. The Giallorossi squad are ready to compete at the highest level, and tonight's opener against Fenerbahçe carries significant importance as Roma look to establish themselves in the Champions League league phase.

Roma kick off their Champions League campaign against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming a strong starting lineup. Gasperini has retained the core of Roma's winning run this season, with one change: Devyne Rensch starts at left-back in place of Emanuele Lulli. Paulo Dybala takes his regular place in attack, flanking Matías Soulé behind Donyell Malen in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Rodrigo Mora is unused among the substitutes, expected to come on in the second half if needed. Nahuel Molina's first-team debut from the start is postponed. Roma field: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen. Among the squad available from the bench are De Marzi, Gollini, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Molina, De Roon, Pisilli, Mora and Castro. Fenerbahce start with Ederson in goal and deploy Muriqi as their centre-forward, supported by Mason Greenwood and Ferdi Aktörkoglu in attacking midfield. The Turkish side's squad includes Raphaël Varane in their defensive ranks.