Gasperini: Roma’s Champions League Return Is a Special Occasion
Gian Piero Gasperini has said Roma’s return to the Champions League carries a particular sense of occasion as the Italian side prepare to open their campaign away to Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
Roma have produced strong European performances in the Europa League in recent seasons, but Gasperini stressed that Champions League matchday one brings a different level of anticipation. The meeting with Fenerbahce also represents an unfamiliar assignment, with limited previous encounters between the clubs.
Champions League return
- Roma travel to Istanbul for their first Champions League fixture after a number of years away from the competition.
- Gasperini pointed to the club’s recent Europa League record, while noting that the start of a Champions League campaign naturally creates added interest.
- The coach said Roma must approach Fenerbahce with confidence, but without underestimating a side he considers capable of offering a demanding physical and tactical challenge.
“Roma have been absent from the Champions League for years, although they have done well in the Europa League,” Gasperini said. “The first matchday always creates curiosity.”
Dybala’s early-season influence
Gasperini reserved significant praise for Paulo Dybala, describing the Argentine as a central figure in Roma’s encouraging start to the season. The Roma coach believes Dybala has reached a level of form and fitness not seen from him in recent campaigns.
“Dybala is showing what he can do,” Gasperini said. “The standard he has reached at the beginning of this season is the best of recent years. His consistency is extraordinary, and we are stronger when he is in the side.”
Roma will look to carry that attacking momentum into the Istanbul fixture as they begin a demanding run across domestic and European competition.
Respect for Fenerbahce despite absences
Fenerbahce will be without Marco Asensio and Matteo Guendouzi, but Gasperini does not expect those missing players to significantly reduce the hosts’ threat. He highlighted the depth available to the Turkish club and called for full concentration from his squad.
“We need to show enormous respect for them,” he said. “Fenerbahce have a deep group of players and will not suffer too much because Asensio and Guendouzi are unavailable. We are facing a very strong Fenerbahce.”
Rotation set to matter
With fixtures set to arrive quickly following the international break, Gasperini expects substitutions and rotation to become increasingly important. He said Roma’s summer recruitment has given him greater scope to alter games and manage workloads without a major drop in performance.
“Changes will be decisive,” Gasperini said. “This season we can use more players and introduce different solutions while keeping the same quality.”
