Totti on Roma's Champions League draw with Fenerbahçe: continuity is what's missing

Federico Balzaretti appeared as the first guest on a new podcast hosted by former referee Giampaolo Calvarese, who now works as a collaborator for Prime Video. The show, titled "Fischio Finale", featured a lengthy conversation spanning new regulations and past incidents. Balzaretti recounted a striking moment from a Sampdoria–Roma match that ended 0–2, which took place during Rudi Garcia's first year in charge. Roma were top of the table at the time and the fixture was tightly contested. According to Calvarese's account, Balzaretti addressed Gabbiadini forcefully: "If you do it again I'll lift you off the ground." When the referee heard these words, he asked the Roma player to calm down. Balzaretti, furious, then spoke to the referee in the same manner. Both men later recalled the episode while joking about it, also reflecting on the human rapport that existed between Calvarese and various players.

Francesco Totti has assessed Inter as championship contenders while backing Roma to challenge them this season. Speaking today, Totti suggested that despite Inter's strength, Roma possess the quality to compete for honours. Totti also addressed the club's 2027 centenary celebrations, offering insight into discussions about his involvement in those commemorations. The former Roma legend, who spent his entire playing career at the club and retired in 2017, remains in discussions about returning for the milestone year. The comments come as Roma prepare for their campaign under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was appointed in 2025.

Francesco Totti offered a bullish assessment of Roma's season prospects in remarks at the World Legends Padel Tour in Rome, insisting that despite Inter's status as favourites, the club can compete for the Scudetto if they maintain consistency. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Totti reflected on Roma's opening to the 2026-27 campaign and addressed several squad matters as the club prepares for their Champions League campaign. On yesterday's result — a draw — Totti struck a pragmatic tone: "It's a point, hoping it can help the final table. Better one than zero." He acknowledged surprise at Roma's opening: "I didn't expect it, and nobody expected it either. We started with our foot on the accelerator, and I hope it can continue that way. The league is long, the Champions League is a separate competition. When we reach February or March, we'll take stock." Totti praised the attacking partnership, saying of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen: "One of the strongest, two great players who understand each other without words. I hope they can continue this way." He also weighed Inter's challenge, noting: "Inter is the team to beat and it's hard to beat. But with this Roma everything is possible." Totti was asked about a potential return for Roma's centenary, but gave no commitment: "I don't know, but in the league and in the Champions League certainly." He denied any formal approach from the club: "There have never been any." Regarding Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect, Totti urged patience while setting high expectations: "He's changed city, culture, way of working. He's young and you have to stand by him, you have to wait for him. But if the figures are what they are, he must make a difference straightaway." On Gasperini's handling of Dybala, he said: "Paulo is having a great start to the season, at a very high level. This is the Paulo we all know — with this consistency and desire to play for Roma, it's a lot of things."

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 offered a bullish assessment of Roma's season prospects in remarks at the World Legends Padel Tour in Rome, insisting that despite Inter's status as favourites, the club can compete for the Scudetto if they maintain consistency. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Totti reflected on Roma's opening to the 2026-27 campaign and addressed several squad matters as the club prepares for their Champions League campaign. On yesterday's result — a draw — Totti struck a pragmatic tone: "It's a point, hoping it can help the final table. Better one than zero." He acknowledged surprise at Roma's opening: "I didn't expect it, and nobody expected it either. We started with our foot on the accelerator, and I hope it can continue that way. The league is long, the Champions League is a separate competition. When we reach February or March, we'll take stock." Totti praised the attacking partnership, saying of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen: "One of the strongest, two great players who understand each other without words. I hope they can continue this way." He also weighed Inter's challenge, noting: "Inter is the team to beat and it's hard to beat. But with this Roma everything is possible." Totti was asked about a potential return for Roma's centenary, but gave no commitment: "I don't know, but in the league and in the Champions League certainly." He denied any formal approach from the club: "There have never been any." Regarding Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect, Totti urged patience while setting high expectations: "He's changed city, culture, way of working. He's young and you have to stand by him, you have to wait for him. But if the figures are what they are, he must make a difference straightaway." On Gasperini's handling of Dybala, he said: "Paulo is having a great start to the season, at a very high level. This is the Paulo we all know — with this consistency and desire to play for Roma, it's a lot of things."

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.

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."

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 Inter as championship contenders while backing Roma to challenge them this season. Speaking today, Totti suggested that despite Inter's strength, Roma possess the quality to compete for honours. Totti also addressed the club's 2027 centenary celebrations, offering insight into discussions about his involvement in those commemorations. The former Roma legend, who spent his entire playing career at the club and retired in 2017, remains in discussions about returning for the milestone year. The comments come as Roma prepare for their campaign under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was appointed in 2025.