Roma restarts from Istanbul in the Champions League: the debut against Fenerbahce

The journey starts again from Istanbul, seven years after stopping in the return match of the round of 16 in Porto. Roma returns to the Champions League and does so from the main door, what was once considered the door to the East. This is why Gian Piero Gasperini, on the eve of the match against Fenerbahce, speaks of 'curiosity'. especially in relation to how his team will process the leap from the championship to the most prestigious international cup.

It has players who have already played it in the past, one above all: Paulo Dybala. Fifty-three appearances in the Champions League and a great desire to find the goal again. A goal that in Europe has been missing since the final (lost) in Budapest of the Europa League. The latter is a competition that Roma has played often in the last seven years, also reaching - as mentioned - a final and two semi-finals.

But the Champions League is something else: "In recent years there have been no other opportunities to face these opponents, so there is curiosity in playing against the best", says Gasp on the eve of the match. And ready to go the rock will immediately be high. "We must have great consideration for the opponent - he replies to those who ask him about the Turkish club -. They have very important players. We must have the confidence to play with our characteristics. We must have confidence in our abilities, we must not distort ourselves".

In short, the diktat is clear: face Fenerbahce as we did in the league against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta. The latter in particular "gave great joy", remarked the Giallorossi coach. "This is a new competition, the stadium will be warm and we will be able to see what our personality will be like. It will be a test."

This is also why Dybala will still be there from the first minute, despite spending a lot on Saturday. "Paulo is fine - explains Gasperini -. There are no particular defections. There is only Pellegrini, who I hope to recover soon. We are ready for this new adventure. Dybala is showing continuity. The start of this year is better than in recent years. He has continuity on the pitch and in training. With him in the game we are stronger."

And so with the Argentine there will be Soulé, instead of Mora, and in front the usual Malen. On the right, Lulli-Molina runoff, with the former Atletico player in the lead. But, regardless of who will play, "this group has always been united and determined, it wants to achieve goals", Gasp is ready to swear again.

"Probably - he concludes - we have raised the technical level, benefiting from the matches and knowledge. The technical quality has risen, thanks to Dybala, Malen and more. Now we score more goals and we have the possibility of having more interpreters play. Now we can put in new solutions without losing quality". Quality which Roma also combines with the mentality that Hermoso spoke about on the eve of the match: "When the coach arrived here he gave us the personality we need to grow as a team, we are on the right path". So, now the goal is not to skid and stay on track.