Svilar rules out Juventus move, insists future lies only with Roma

Rodrigo Mora came off the bench in Roma's Champions League opener away at Fenerbahçe and spoke positively about the team's display despite the draw. A single point was not the outcome Roma sought, but Mora felt the performance on a difficult pitch in a demanding atmosphere represented a solid start to the competition. He acknowledged that Roma needed to be more clinical in response to Fenerbahçe's attacking pressure. Mora reflected on the team's concentration levels and drew a parallel to their recent Serie A match against Atalanta. "I think it's normal that in a match there are better phases and worse phases. What matters is the reaction, both with Atalanta and today it was seen, and we must try to maintain the level for all 90 minutes," he said. He emphasized the importance of consistency across the full duration of fixtures going forward. The midfielder also spoke of the significance of representing Roma in European football. "The dream of any footballer is to play in the Champions League. I'm very happy to have done it today with Roma's shirt," Mora reflected on his first night in the competition for the club.

Gian Piero Gasperini singled out Paulo Dybala for exceptional performance following Roma's match, describing him as the outstanding player on the pitch. Speaking in his post-match assessment, Gasperini said: "Dybala has been extraordinary for his consistency and quality. I struggle to recall the balls he lost, then he suffered cramps and probably wasn't the only one. Among so many strong players, he is the strongest." The coach acknowledged that Dybala showed visible signs of fatigue late in the encounter, noting that physical tiredness affected multiple squad members as the match progressed. Gasperini's comments underline Dybala's continued importance to Roma's tactical setup and his status among the club's key performers this season.

Gian Piero Gasperini praised Roma's performance in a draw against Fenerbahce, but identified defensive vulnerabilities in the second half as an area requiring urgent attention. The head coach said the team produced a good display in difficult circumstances, playing against opponents who sat deep and looked to break on the counter-attack. Gasperini acknowledged Roma conceded from a poor exit when deployed low on the pitch. "We came out badly for the goal. It happens when we are deep and set. We certainly need to work because we cannot always play high, especially in the Champions League. There was a wrong exit," he said. He was satisfied with the impact of substitutes, singling out Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli for particular praise. Rodrigo Mora, introduced in midfield, struggled to make the anticipated impact despite his pace. Marten de Roon was brought on late to secure the result. When asked about Roma's recurring problem of conceding at the start of the second half, Gasperini said: "Two clues make a proof, but not everything is explainable; sometimes there is chance. From next time we must be careful at the start of the second half."

Mile Svilar spoke to reporters after Roma's 1–1 draw with Fenerbahçe at the Şükrü Saraçoğlu stadium in Istanbul, Roma's opening match in the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League. The goalkeeper reflected on a one-on-one save he made early in the contest, saying he read the shot and stopped it with his feet. On the goal he conceded, he explained: "I tried to do the same thing but I wasn't able to stay high." He acknowledged the intensity of Champions League football, noting that both sides created chances. Svilar assessed the draw positively in the context of Roma's overall performance. "We were better in our play. The draw is not bad, but with our football, as we've shown in the league, I think we'll be able to earn more points," he said.

Roma drew 1–1 with Fenerbahçe in their first Champions League match in seven years, played in Istanbul on 8 September 2026. Bryan Cristante opened the scoring in the first half with an assist from the Dybala-Malen axis, with Cristante notable as the sole survivor from Roma's last Champions League outing—the Porto match in 2019. Brown equalised for Fenerbahçe in the second half, and late pressure saw Akè hit the crossbar. Mile Svilar made crucial saves to secure the point. Gasperini's side controlled the opening 45 minutes with tactical maturity and patient possession, demonstrating awareness of their strengths without forcing play. The second half exposed the demands of the competition as Fenerbahçe, driven by their home crowd and chasing their first Champions League appearance since 2009, raised their intensity. Roma conceded ground but held firm defensively. The result leaves Gasperini with a lesson: the first-half display represents the standard required to compete at this level, while the second-half vulnerability to an opponent's pressure illustrates the growth still needed. The point earned away from home represents a significant restart for Roma's European ambitions. Gasperini must rebuild from the first 45 minutes in Istanbul—that performance, he indicated, is the template for Roma's Champions League path. The fixture list offers no respite: Roma's next continental match will see Real Madrid, managed by former Roma boss José Mourinho, visit the Olimpico.

Mile Svilar gave his assessment of Roma's 1–1 draw at Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the Champions League League Phase. The goalkeeper was asked about his most difficult save of the evening and recalled a one-on-one moment in which he read the striker's intention and opened his foot, though he acknowledged he could not stay high enough on the goal that went in. Svilar said the match had carried Champions League intensity throughout, with both sides looking capable of scoring. "In these matches an individual action can determine the result," he explained. He believed Roma had played the better football: "We were better in the game. A draw is fine, it's not bad, but I think we can put more of our game on the pitch, as we have done in the league."

Roma secured a 1–0 victory away to Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, with Bryan Cristante's precision setting up the opening goal and his all-around midfield control defining the match. Malen saw the opportunity and served Cristante, whose finish delivered Roma's advantage, though the hosts equalised early in the second half when Brown caught Roma's defence out of shape, with an error from Mancini proving costly. Gasperini's side steadied themselves as the match progressed. The Turkish outfit began to press harder and were not always kept in check by referee Manzano, prompting the Roma coach to substitute Koné for Pisilli as the game intensified. Roma reclaimed command of the final thirty metres, with Svilar called upon twice to make saves—once with his feet and once with a crucial hand intervention from ground level—to keep the score level. Cristante emerged as the standout performer. Beyond his goal contribution, he recovered and managed possession throughout, adding the disciplined yellow card foul when required. His tactical and technical execution mirrored the standard he set in the previous fixture against Atalanta, combining defensive work with creative distribution. The midfielder's consistent output often goes unnoticed, but his range of function proved decisive in Istanbul.

Roma drew 1–1 away at Fenerbahce in their Champions League league-phase opener on 8 September, a result that showed the team's character despite clear deficiencies. Bryan Cristante's opening-half strike — described as a billiard-shot effort — silenced the home crowd, but Brown equalised early in the second half as Fenerbahce's higher tempo began to dominate. The performance was far from Roma's best, yet the visitors held firm under pressure and salvaged a point from a hostile environment, leaving with the conviction that they possess genuine quality to work with. The match exposed both strength and weakness. Roma controlled the first half with personality and grit, dictating the rhythm and finding the breakthrough through Cristante. The second-half collapse was swift and collective — Gianluca Mancini was caught napping in the opening moments of the resumption — and Fenerbahce pressed hard thereafter, forcing Roma's rearguard into a defensive grind. Mile Svilar made a crucial save from Muriqi and was also prodigious in stopping Brown's attempt, yet could do nothing about the equaliser itself. Evan N'Dicka's performance was standout, standing firm against Muriqi and later against other threats, refusing to be intimidated and disrupting the home side's attacking plans. Mario Hermoso similarly managed the task of containing Greenwood, forcing the English winger to switch flanks repeatedly. Other defenders sent mixed signals. Devyne Rensch provided solid cover but fell asleep during a key moment that nearly made it 2–1 to the hosts; he was replaced on 73 minutes by Molina. Mancini's first-half work was solid, given the fluid defensive shape Roma adopted, but his lapse at the start of the second half cost dearly. Bryan Cristante earned praise as the match's most diligent performer, working countless balls and converting his chance with precision; he later earned a booking for a careless turnover in midfield. Manu Koné performed without obvious error in a physically demanding contest and was substituted on 52 minutes, reportedly for tactical reasons rather than injury. Wesley, however, drew a five-rating, fading badly after a strong previous season and losing the ball dangerously to Svilar at one point. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala both battled heavy marking, with Dybala nearly earning a clear penalty at one stage. Donyell Malen made the key pass for Cristante's goal but found few other openings. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini stuck to his philosophy: "Do not abandon our nature," he insisted, and Roma obeyed, showing maturity and refusing to collapse despite conceding. His substitutions from the bench, however, did not yield the same cutting edge they produce for his Atalanta side.

Roma drew 1-1 with Fenerbahçe in Istanbul in the opening fixture of the Champions League League Phase. Bryan Cristante's long-range effort put Roma ahead, but Brown equalised for the hosts in the second half, and Roma could not capitalise on their advantage despite periods of dominance. The performance was mixed across the squad. Paulo Dybala was named the standout performer, orchestrating Roma's attacking play and creating chances, though he was unable to convert his clear opportunities—one with his right foot saved by Ederson, another with his left foot that went wide. Manu Koné was rated highly for his work in midfield, breaking up play and distributing the ball with quality to teammates. Mile Svilar made several saves in goal, including denying Muriqi in the second half. Devyne Rensch was described as crucial in the closing stages, while Leonardo Balerdi impressed after coming on as a substitute from the 74th minute with aggressive, assertive play. Wesley received the lowest rating of the evening (5/10), criticised for being unclean in his final pass, appearing distracted for Brown's goal, and too lightweight when facing Mason Greenwood. Gianluca Mancini struggled through a difficult match and was substituted at 74 minutes. Evan N'Dicka had a physical battle with Dusan Muriqi but handled the winger's limited technical ability better than he dealt with Romelu Lukaku's threat. Mario Hermoso found difficulty against Greenwood but ventured forward effectively. Matías Soulé worked hard across the entire attacking front but lacked the decisive moment, while Donyell Malen played wide in search of space, his movement creating the opening from which Cristante scored. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini received a rating of 6/10. The assessment noted that the point away from home on a difficult pitch was valuable, but Roma failed to build on their lead and risked defeat in the second half, with the tactical substitutions not landing as effectively as hoped.

Rodrigo Mora analysed Roma's 1–1 draw away at Fenerbahce on 8 September, saying the team were satisfied with their overall performance but must improve their consistency throughout matches. The Portuguese midfielder's comments came after a Champions League league-phase fixture in which Roma conceded a goal despite competitive play. Roma's display drew mixed reactions from the backroom staff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged defensive vulnerabilities, noting "at times we are vulnerable, we must be more careful", while highlighting Paulo Dybala's contribution as "extraordinary". The team also dealt with an injury concern when midfielder Manu Koné departed the pitch during the match; Gasperini confirmed he came off for a physical problem. Defender Evan N'Dicka also reflected on the result, stating: "Positive performance, we deserved more. But we take this point." Despite the defensive issues that emerged, Roma had competitive moments throughout the fixture and secured a point away from home in the opening phase of their European campaign.

Evan N'Dicka praised Roma's performance in their 1–0 defeat at Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the Champions League League Phase on 9 September, despite the loss leaving the club without a win. The defender highlighted Roma's control of possession and territorial dominance, noting that Fenerbahçe deployed a deep defensive shape that made it difficult to break through. N'Dicka said: "A very positive performance for me, very positive. We had the ball, we did more. They were very deep, and then it's difficult when you have eight or nine players in front of the goal. We tried, then they played on the counter. We deserved more, but we take this point and move on." The match proved physically demanding, with N'Dicka tested by Fenerbahçe's striker Muriqi in the first half and later by Romelu Lukaku after he entered the field. N'Dicka acknowledged the intensity: "Because they are physically strong players. I don't look for this type of situation, but if they come at me, what do I do? I have to defend, so OK, we use the physical side too." Despite the difficult atmosphere at what he described as "a hot, very difficult pitch," N'Dicka expressed confidence for Roma's Champions League campaign, emphasizing the squad's mentality and ambition across all venues: "We arrive here to win, we arrive on every pitch to win."

Evan N'Dicka spoke after Roma's opening Champions League match at Fenerbahçe's Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium on the 2026–27 campaign. The defender reflected on an intense, physical contest in which Roma dominated possession but could not break down Fenerbahçe's defensive approach. N'Dicka said: "They have physical players. I don't seek contact, but if they come at me I have to defend." On Roma's performance, he added: "A positive showing. We had the ball and we did more. They stayed deep and that makes it difficult. We tried, we deserved more but we take the point." Roma came to Istanbul with ambitions of victory but ultimately drew, leaving N'Dicka with optimism about the campaign ahead. He stated: "Yes, when the match starts we are focused. We came here to win and we will go to every ground to win." The result marked Roma's entry into the Champions League group phase, to which they qualified as third-place finishers in Serie A 2025–26.