Wesley named in Brazil squad for September friendlies against Australia and India

Wesley has been called up to Brazil's squad for international friendlies by Carlo Ancelotti as the Seleção embarks on a new cycle with the 2030 World Cup in view. The Roma defender will feature in matches against Australia on 25 and 29 September and against India on 3 October. It marks Wesley's first appearance for Brazil since an injury forced him to miss the World Cup last summer, when he was ruled out just days before the tournament began. Roma's focus remains on the Champions League, with the League Phase opener against Fenerbahce scheduled for tomorrow, but the recall provides an early boost for the left-back after his injury setback during the previous campaign.

Roma will face Fenerbahçe in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase on Thursday at 18:45 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium in Istanbul. It is Roma's first Champions League appearance in seven years. Gasperini, managing Roma in the competition for only the second time in his career, said in his press conference: "I am curious to see this Roma in the Champions League, we will encounter the best clubs from every championship and we must be good at maintaining our identity." Mario Hermoso echoed the importance of the occasion, stating: "This competition represents a very important milestone for us but we want to make it a constant." The squad is in good condition with the exception of Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is not included in the matchday selection. Gasperini confirmed Roma will be able to use rotation and changes during the campaign. The manager cited the recent victory over Atalanta as having given the team "energy and strength." Fenerbahçe's manager offered praise for Roma's prospects, saying the club "has the strongest squad in its history."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Champions League return, confirming that Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the trip to Istanbul through injury. Roma face Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45 in the first matchday of the league phase. Antonio Arena is also unavailable. Ahead of the fixture, Gasperini outlined Roma's approach to Europe's elite competition. "We will encounter top teams in their respective leagues and especially sides with extraordinary players who can change the result even in a balanced match thanks to their individual quality," the coach said. "We need to know this and try to control it, but we also need to be very good at not losing our identity, to have confidence in our means and know that we can also put opponents in difficulty." Defender Mario Hermoso, who impressed in Roma's recent Serie A win against Atalanta, addressed the step up in competition. "To play a great match tomorrow we need to know what the opponent's strongest points are. We have done that work. For us this is a new competition and we need to raise our level compared to Serie A. The best teams play in this cup and these types of matches. You have to have a great season to play them, so we are happy. We have the will to make a great start to the Champions League here in Istanbul." Meanwhile, Fabio Maresca will referee Torino v Roma on Monday at 18:30 in Serie A's fourth round. Maresca will be assisted by Tegoni and Fontani, with Sozza as fourth official; Aureliano and Ghersini will operate VAR. Maresca has refereed Roma 20 times in his career—more than any team except Lazio—with a record of 9 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats. Most recently he oversaw the May Derby della Capitale won 2–0 by Gasperini's side, goals from Gianluca Mancini.

Wesley has been called up to Brazil's squad for international friendlies by Carlo Ancelotti as the Seleção embarks on a new cycle with the 2030 World Cup in view. The Roma defender will feature in matches against Australia on 25 and 29 September and against India on 3 October. It marks Wesley's first appearance for Brazil since an injury forced him to miss the World Cup last summer, when he was ruled out just days before the tournament began. Roma's focus remains on the Champions League, with the League Phase opener against Fenerbahce scheduled for tomorrow, but the recall provides an early boost for the left-back after his injury setback during the previous campaign.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his squad for Roma's Champions League return at Fenerbahçe on 10 September at 18:45. Lorenzo Pellegrini is the only absentee from the travelling party to Istanbul but is expected to be available for Roma's Serie A match against Torino on Monday. Otherwise Gasperini has the full group at his disposal, including Devyne Rensch, and can select from: Goalkeepers Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini. Defenders Devyne Rensch, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfielders Bryan Cristante, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora. Forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Fenerbahçe–Roma on 10 September at 18:45, marking the Giallorossi's return to the UEFA Champions League. Devyne Rensch is back in contention after a spell out, but Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the Istanbul trip and plays no part in the squad. Gasperini otherwise has his full European list available. The squad named comprises: Goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; Defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; Midfielders Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; Forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.