Roma's Champions League opponents confirmed; UEFA to publish full fixture list

Roma return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.

Roma radio stations aired conflicting assessments of the club's transfer priorities and Champions League prospects on 28 August. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo reported that coach Gasperini favours Jesurun Gittens over Sofyan Fofana for a midfield signing. According to Pes, Roma will continue pushing to construct a deal with Chelsea for Gittens while the English club has yet to open discussions. "If it becomes clear there will be no margin, then we'll turn to Fofana. The agreement was there with him. But Gittens has the financial and technical favour, and for that reason remains the favourite. The two clubs have good relations," Pes said. Meanwhile, fellow analyst Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport suggested Roma's pursuit of Franck Kessié may be part of a broader market dynamic involving Juventus. Torri commented that the club faces further difficulty in securing a midfield winger option. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino described Roma's Champions League path as "hard", calling the draw "mediately squads of good level" and expressing doubt about whether Kessié could still deliver significantly in Serie A. Tony Damascelli of the same station called the European campaign "a fascinating journey", singling out the fixture against Real Madrid as "always beautiful, because they are the most winning team in the world." The radio commentary reflects broader debate within Roma's fanbase about the depth and direction of the squad ahead of the league-phase campaign beginning 8 September.

Fresh details have emerged on the failed transfer of Jayden Oosterwolde to Fenerbahçe. According to journalist Piero Torri, the player and his representatives were even prepared to freeze his salary during his recovery from injury, saying "As long as the player hasn't returned from injury, don't pay us". The deal collapsed over a disagreement on his expected return date: Fenerbahçe projected October, while Roma's medical assessments placed recovery no earlier than January 2027. Meanwhile, Martina Piemonte has spoken about her return to Roma colours after an eight-year absence. She said: "Roma is something unique. I had offers abroad, but in Italy I wanted only and solely Roma." She credited the bond with her teammates Pilgrim, Corelli, Oliviero, Bergamaschi, Giugliano and Greggi, and added: "We are a very great team, the objectives are high." On Roma's Champions League campaign this season, she stated: "Playing it in the Roma shirt gives me enormous drive." Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field the same squad that defeated Fiorentina, with the likely only change being Nahuel Molina on the right, now fit and in line for his first league start. A contest remains open on the attacking midfield between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Devyne Rensch continues to be doubtful. Gasperini can also count on Lulli, promoted after an excellent display at the Olimpico. The Champions League draw delivered two emotionally charged fixtures: Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho—the last coach to win a trophy with Roma—will visit the Olimpico, while Paris Saint-Germain, where Luis Enrique managed Roma in the 2011-12 season, will be faced away. Among the most challenging away trips will be Manchester United at Old Trafford, inevitably recalling Roma's historic 7-1 defeat in 2007.