Ryan Friedkin in attendance as Roma play Cannes in pre-season friendly

Gian Piero Gasperini will largely keep faith with the Roma side that faced Atalanta, with only one enforced change for the Champions League opener at Fenerbahçe. Rodrigo Mora returns to the squad after missing that fixture, while Nahuel Molina is poised to make his first start for the club. Emanuele Lulli will drop out of the line-up. Roma enter their Champions League campaign on the back of their third-place finish in Serie A last season, which secured automatic qualification for the league phase. Gasperini has overseen an immediate uplift in the side's form and morale since his appointment in 2025, with Paulo Dybala among those back to full fitness. The manager has indicated his squad is ready for the continental stage, despite the short turnaround from domestic action.

Roma held their pre-match training session at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul on the eve of their Champions League opener against Fenerbahce. The squad worked through technical and tactical drills under the watchful eye of director D'Amico and CEO Galantic, with the first 15 minutes open to the press before moving into match-preparation work. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has the full squad at his disposal with one exception: Lorenzo Pellegrini was not called up for the trip. With kick-off scheduled for 18:45 on 10 September, Gasperini is set to field the same lineup that beat Atalanta at the Olimpico on Saturday evening, with one change. Nahuel Molina is expected to replace Emanuele Lulli on the right flank. Gasperini and Hermoso held a pre-match press conference before training commenced.

Roma are preparing for their opening Champions League fixture against Fenerbahce, with the match taking place at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium in the Asian side of Istanbul for the first matchday of the League Phase. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad are embarking on their campaign in European football's top competition, and early images from the Turkish city show the build-up to the encounter. The away trip carries particular significance as Roma begin their journey through the Champions League under Gasperini. Fenerbahce will host the giallorossi at the Sukru Saracoglu, with the opening day of the League Phase set to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the start of the 2026-27 season.