Roma's draw in Istanbul: the point is welcome, but self-satisfaction is not

Roma's return to the UEFA Champions League is delivering immediate financial rewards. Participation in the competition's league phase alone guarantees each of the 36 qualified clubs €18.62 million — an increase from the €15.64 million available in the previous 2021–24 cycle. Additional revenue flows from match results: €2.1 million for each victory and €700,000 for each draw, with further bonuses tied to final league-phase placement. The club's finances have been bolstered significantly by the "value pillar", which for the 2026–27 season is valued at €30.49 million for Roma. Combined, these figures already total €50.09 million into the club's coffers at Trigoria. Gian Piero Gasperini's squad has scope to increase that sum substantially: further revenue will depend both on results in forthcoming matches and on Roma's finishing position in the league phase. The return to European football's premier competition therefore represents both an immediate economic lift and the prospect of greater riches ahead. The financial injection from the Champions League has already exceeded €50 million, with the potential for the total to grow considerably depending on how far the team progresses through the competition.

Francesco Totti has given his assessment of Roma's opening to the 2026–27 season, speaking on the sidelines of the World Padel Legends Tour. Reflecting on Roma's draw in their opening Champions League fixture against Fenerbahçe, Totti said: "It's a point, hopefully it can help with the final table. Better a point than zero as they say. Let's see, it's the first Champions League match and everything is still to play for." He did not expect Roma to start the season as they have, stating: "No, I think almost nobody expected it. We started with the right foot, with the accelerator pressed and I hope it can continue like that. The league is still long, the Champions League is a separate competition, the summaries will be drawn in February–March." Totti praised the partnership between Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, calling it "one of the strongest in the championship". He said: "Yes, we're talking about players who until now understand each other with their eyes closed. I hope they can continue like this." He also confirmed recent contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying: "Yes, I heard from him." When asked if they had booked dinner, Totti replied: "Maybe a lunch…" On the wider title picture, Totti offered his view: "Well, let's say that from how they've started, yes, they are a step ahead. Inter is the team to beat and it's difficult to do that, but with this Roma everything is possible." He emphasized that Roma's main need is consistency: "Continuity — to win the Scudetto you need that. Roma expanded their squad from last year, they made the choice of taking the right players to have a great season." Addressing young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect who recently joined the club, Totti said: "We're talking about a 2007, he changed city, culture, way of working. You have to stand by him and wait for him. Of course, if the figures are what they say, he must make a difference right away." Totti also reflected on his own legacy and future involvement with the club. On his status for Roma's continued campaign, he said: "Maybe in the league as well, maybe. Centenary? I don't know, but in the league and Champions sure." He declined to confirm progress on Roma's centenary plans, stating: "No (laughs). After what I said? There never have been."

Francesco Totti has assessed Roma's start to the 2026-27 season, speaking at the EA7 World Legends Padel Tour on 11 September — a date he reflected on for its historical weight. Totti called the draw against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League opening fixture "one point, better 1 than 0", while praising the squad's strong domestic form. "I didn't expect such a powerful start to the season in Serie A, and I don't think anyone else did either," he said. "We started with the right foot and the accelerator flat. I hope it can continue like this. The season is still long and the Champions League is a different competition. In February or March we will take stock." Asked to compare the current squad with Roma's Scudetto-winning team of 2001, Totti cautioned against the comparison. "It is reductive to make parallels. These are two very different squads, different times and different players. We were a great team, this is a good team," he explained. When pressed on what the side lacks, Totti identified a critical gap: "Continuity. To win the Scudetto you must have continuity. The squad has been expanded from last year and choices have been made jointly between the manager and the sporting director." On the relative strength of rivals, Totti assessed: "Given how they have started, yes, I see Napoli, Milan and Juventus a step above. I think Inter is the team to beat and it will be difficult. With this Roma everything can happen." He confirmed recent contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, joking that a celebratory meal might follow. Regarding Paulo Dybala, Totti observed: "Paulo is making a great start, and especially in the last matches last season he played at a very high level. This is the Paulo we all know. If he gives this continuity and desire to play for Roma, that is a lot of things." On young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, Totti was measured: "We are talking about a 2007 [birth year], he has changed city and culture. He is young, we must wait for him. If the figures are as they say, he is a player who must make a difference immediately."

Gigi Di Biagio, a former Roma midfielder now coaching Saudi Arabia's Under-21 side, has backed Roma's direction under Gasperini following their draw with Fenerbahçe. Speaking to Retesport, Di Biagio said: "The draw with Fenerbahçe is fine, you could have won or lost it, it doesn't change anything about the path Roma must take: the glass is half full, I don't see many negative aspects in yesterday's match." Di Biagio highlighted Roma's summer recruitment and the emerging talent in the squad. He praised Emanuele Lulli as "an exceptional lad, serious and very skilled" and noted that alongside young players like Rodrigo Mora, Roma have added the experience of Nahuel Molina and Marten de Roon. "Roma has done very good business in the market," he said. He also drew a parallel between Gasperini and the late Zdeněk Zeman, noting both share "the desire to win the match at all costs, even at the risk of losing it."

Roma returned from their Champions League visit to Fenerbahce with a draw and an encouraging first-half display, though the second half brought frustration. Bryan Cristante opened the scoring, and the team showed positive signs as they began their campaign with a playoff objective in mind. The standout moment came when Leonardo Balerdi entered the pitch in the 74th minute as a substitute for Gianluca Mancini, immediately catching supporters' attention with a composed defensive performance that sparked a wave of praise across social media. Fans seized on Balerdi's brief appearance to call for him to start matches regularly, with many suggesting he should displace either Mancini or Evan N'Dicka in the defensive lineup. The Argentine defender's composure against opposition attackers—notably withstanding challenges from physically demanding forwards—left Roma supporters convinced of his quality after limited exposure. His performance prompted widespread social media reaction comparing him favourably to the club's established defenders and arguing he warrants an immediate promotion to the starting eleven. Fan comments flooded platforms with phrases including: "He must be the starter, a WALL!", "I believe Balerdi is steel reinforced with titanium, how strong he is... Lukaku bounced off his legs, 2 metres by 100 kilos", "Balerdi must always play", and "Why is Balerdi on the bench? A phenomenon." Others added: "Why did Marseille fans thank us for taking Balerdi?! How that excites me." More pointed criticism followed: "Mancini every so often gets distracted, Balerdi I see as much superior", "For me Balerdi is stronger than two out of three defensive players, he comes on and the opposition attack is nullified", and "It's not conceivable that Balerdi is Mancini's backup now."

Bryan Cristante scored as Roma returned to the Champions League after a seven-year absence, taking the captain's armband following Daniele De Rossi's last European goal in the competition. Cristante's strike marks a symbolic passing of the torch at the Giallorossi, with the midfielder now surpassing Lorenzo Pellegrini in the captaincy hierarchy. Roma's European comeback under Gian Piero Gasperini comes after a lengthy absence from the continent's elite competition. The victory underscores Gasperini's early impact on the squad as the club looks to establish itself as a fixture in the Champions League.

Roma's opening Champions League match in Istanbul provided a revealing examination of individual readiness at the competition's highest level, exposing both natural fit and shortcomings that Serie A sometimes masks. Manu Koné emerged as the clearest success story. Until a knee injury forced his substitution at the 52nd minute, he appeared to raise his game as the match intensified, showing pressure, physical duels, ball protection and the ability to break the first press. Donyell Malen proved similarly suited to matches where chances are limited and the capacity to attack space becomes decisive. Mile Svilar's performance raised only the question of how far he can progress in the competition. Paulo Dybala demonstrated that while understanding how to play at this level has never been his problem, availability remains the constraint. When his physical condition allows, the Champions League remains his natural habitat: he takes possession facing forward, makes precise decisions, and creates space where others see none. Gianluca Mancini's European credentials are not in doubt, but Istanbul confirmed he appears less sharp and reactive than his usual standard. His replacement by Leonardo Balerdi sharpened the contrast; the Argentine entered immediately into the match's intensity, bringing aggression and intensity. Nahuel Molina passed a significant test, showing he can handle the demands placed on full-backs across both phases. Wesley posed a tactical question: at left-back with his weaker foot, Fenerbahçe systematically closed his inside corridor, forcing him onto the byline with his left foot and making him more predictable. Rodrigo Mora, frequently called upon by Gian Piero Gasperini, revealed that the Champions League is also a physical examination. Pressed, challenged and confined to tight spaces, he could not impose himself as he knows he can. Matías Soulé discovered that talent must be paired with better decision-making as margins shrink. Dybala, Koné, Malen and Svilar appear ready for this dimension; Balerdi entered with force and Molina withstood the impact. Mancini must rediscover his sharpness, Wesley needs a tactical solution, and Mora requires the physical tools to express his talent at this level.

Roma travel to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday 14 September at 18:30 for their fourth Serie A match of the season against Ignazio Abate's Torino, coming off the back of a 1–1 draw against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is weighing rotation options after the European fixture. Mile Svilar will start in goal. In defence, Leonardo Balerdi is favoured over Daniele Ghilardi following strong performances from the bench, with Emanuele Lulli set to earn a new start at right-back in place of Devyne Rensch. Manu Koné's fitness is being assessed after he left the Fenerbahce match with a knee issue; Niccolò Pisilli stands ready if the midfielder cannot play. Rodrigo Mora may return to the attacking midfield, replacing Matías Soulé alongside Paulo Dybala, while Donyell Malen is the favoured choice in attack over Santiago Castro. Roma arrive in strong form domestically. In their most recent league outing, they came from behind to beat Atalanta at the Olimpico, with goals from Mario Hermoso and Soulé. Torino beat Fiorentina 2–1 away in their last fixture, scoring through Mandragora and Che Adams, and will deploy a 3–4–2–1 formation with Perri in goal and Simeone as their lone striker. Roma's head-to-head record stands at 82 victories, 48 draws and 59 defeats from 189 meetings. The teams last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 2–0 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino through goals by Malen and Dybala. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN via app and website, and on Sky Sport with streaming available on NOW for Sky subscribers. Official team sheets will be confirmed approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahce in their Champions League opener on 10 September, prompting a broad range of reactions from Rome radio stations. Bryan Cristante scored for Roma with a long-range effort in the first half, but the team conceded an equaliser in the second period and failed to hold on despite goalkeeper Mile Svilar making a crucial save and a shot hitting the crossbar. The result leaves Roma with one point from their first league-phase match, with upcoming fixtures at home and away still to come in the group stage. Radio commentators largely viewed the draw as acceptable given the circumstances, though opinion split on whether Roma should have won. Several analysts pointed to a visible physical decline in the second half, with concerns raised over the fitness of Gianluca Mancini and Wesley. Manu Koné suffered a knee issue during the match, raising concern among pundits about his availability for Roma's next fixture away at Turin. Donyell Malen drew criticism for a second successive underwhelming performance, while Paulo Dybala was thought to have played too many minutes late in the match. Mario Corsi said: "The Fenerbahce stadium doesn't seem as infernal as made out—why, because they shout loudly? Fenerbahce is a small team, but it's still Champions League. The 1–1 away is fine, let's take it. Roma showed physical strength, but I'm a bit disappointed because Fenerbahce seemed like a small team and I think you could have won." Alessio Nardo countered the disappointment: "Being upset about the draw means being very far from reality. Thinking Roma could finish in the top eight in Champions would be a complete miracle. There are many teams stronger than Roma: Atlético Madrid, Inter, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund." Lorenzo Pes observed: "There's a clear physical decline. Mancini made some poorly timed moves, Wesley looked tired physically too. I think we'll see changes at Turin—the second-half physical dip seems obvious." Roberto Pruzzo gave the match a grade of six out of ten: "A sufficient performance where you played a good spell. In the second half you dropped and Fenerbahce came in more easily, and the draw at the end is an acceptable result." He noted that Santiago Castro would have been an option for substitution but the coach did not bring him on, and that Rodrigo Mora barely featured. Nando Orsi called it "a point earned and deserved," adding that Roma's next challenge would be to capitalise on home fixtures in the competition.