Fenerbahçe vs Roma – News and Probable Lineups

After a lengthy absence from the Champions League, Fenerbahce and Roma will meet at Sukru Saracolglu Stadium this Thursday.

Both teams have participated regularly in other UEFA competitions, but they are now back at the prestigious level of the Champions League.

Match overview

Fenerbahce was eager to return to the Champions League after having gone out in qualifying nine times since their sixth appearance in 2008.

Last summer, they were eliminated by Benfica, which resulted in Jose Mourinho’s dramatic departure and the hiring of Domenico Tedesco.

Despite Tedesco’s efforts, Fenerbahce once again missed out on the Super Lig title to their rivals Galatasaray, leading to the selection of current head coach Ismail Kartal.

Kartal successfully led the Yellow Canaries past Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz in the second and third qualifying rounds, followed by a hard-fought win against Lyon in the playoff round.

The Turkish side has participated in 154 UEFA matches since their last Champions League appearance, but that wait for a return to Europe’s elite is finally over.

However, they enter the league phase following a sluggish start to their domestic season, having lost their opening game to Genclerbirligi.

Despite achieving two consecutive victories after that, Kartal’s team faced another disappointment last Saturday, when they were defeated at home by arch-rivals Besiktas.

Fenerbahce has waited 18 years for this moment, while Roma had to endure a seven-year wait before securing their comeback to the Champions League, during which time they achieved victory in the inaugural Conference League.

Last season, the Giallorossi managed to surpass key competitors AC Milan and Juventus, finishing the league campaign with five straight wins, scoring at least two goals in each match while only conceding twice.

This impressive end to the season earned them a third-place finish in Serie A, marking a successful first year under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

A Europa League champion for Atalanta in 2024, Gasperini brings a wealth of experience at the highest level, having lost only four of his preceding 23 Champions League group matches while managing La Dea.

Currently, his Roma side is brimming with confidence after a phenomenal start to the new season, having scored 10 goals and maintained a perfect record following an incredible late comeback against Gasperini’s former team on Saturday.

With three consecutive victories, they sit atop the early Serie A table – just ahead of reigning champions Inter de Milão – and their star forward Donyell Malen has already netted five goals.

Next, before facing former managers Mourinho and Luis Enrique later in the league phase, Roma will travel to the Turkish capital, where they can expect a warm welcome.

Team News

While Mason Greenwood’s suspension will be on hold for a year, Fenerbahce will miss Matteo Guendouzi on Thursday due to their involvement in a recent altercation following the playoff victory against Lyon.

The former Lazio midfielder will miss the chance to face Roma and is joined on the sidelines by Jayden Oosterwolde, who underwent surgery on a hamstring injury after a medical failed at Roma.

Marco Asensio’s availability is also uncertain due to a thigh injury, and Talisca – Fener’s top scorer in qualifying – has recently signed with Al Jazira.

In Talisca’s absence, Romelu Lukaku could potentially take the field against his old club, although Vedat Muriqi started up front in the match against Besiktas.

On the other hand, the visitors will depend on a strong attacking duo of Paulo Dybala and Malen, the latter having scored 19 goals in his initial 21 Serie A outings.

Dybala has been directly involved in 12 goals across his last 16 Champions League starts, although the latest of those was in March 2022.

The only player unavailable for Roma is Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is still recovering from a thigh injury, giving Gasperini the option of nearly a full squad to choose from.

Fenerbahce probable starting XI:

Ederson; Muldur, Skriniar, Ake, Brown; Kante, Yukzek; Aydin, Akturkoglu, Greenwood; Fool

Roma probable starting XI:

Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen

In total, Fenerbahçe has lost just five of their last 32 home matches in European competitions, securing 20 wins, although they did suffer losses to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at the Sukru Saracoglu last season.

Lyon also managed to leave with a draw in the playoffs, thus in-form Roma should bring something back to Italy given their notable goal threat.