September 10 Champions League Preview: Fenerbahce vs Roma, Who Will Come Out on Top?

Hello everyone! I am Yaya, bringing you a different kind of football viewing experience.

High-quality article incentive program

Both teams had previously been regular participants in other UEFA club competitions, but they have now finally returned to the top stage.

Fenerbahce Match Preview

Since their sixth appearance in 2008, Fenerbahce have failed nine times in qualifying rounds, and they are extremely eager to reach the Champions League group stage this season.

The Turkish giants were eliminated by Benfica last summer, which directly led to Jose Mourinho's dramatic departure and the appointment of Domenico Tedesco.

Despite Tedesco's efforts, Fenerbahce lost the Super Lig title race to city rivals Galatasaray, which contributed to the appointment of current manager Ismail Kartal.

In his first matches in charge, Kartal led the Yellow Canaries to victories over Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz in the second and third qualifying rounds respectively, before defeating Lyon in a tense playoff tie.

Since their last Champions League appearance, Fenerbahce have played 154 European matches, but their long wait to return to Europe's elite stage is finally over.

However, they must enter the league phase carrying the slow start of their domestic campaign, having lost their opening league match to Genclerbirligi.

Although they then secured two consecutive wins, Kartal's team suffered another setback on Saturday, losing at home to old rivals Besiktas.

Roma Match Preview

While Fenerbahce waited 18 years, Roma endured a seven-year wait, during which they won the first UEFA Conference League title, before returning to the Champions League.

Roma ended last season's Serie A campaign with five consecutive victories, scoring at least two goals in every match and conceding only twice during that run, allowing them to overtake main rivals AC Milan and Juventus.

This strong finish secured third place in Serie A and provided a memorable conclusion to Gian Piero Gasperini's first season in charge.

As Atalanta's 2024 Europa League-winning coach, Gasperini has extensive experience in top-level competitions, losing only four of his final 23 Champions League group-stage matches while managing the Goddess side.

His Roma side are currently full of confidence and have made a flying start to the new season: after an incredible comeback win over Gasperini's former club on Saturday, they have won all three matches and scored 10 goals.

The three-match winning streak puts them temporarily top of the Serie A table, just ahead of defending champions Inter Milan, while star striker Donyell Malen has already scored five goals.

Now, before facing former managers Mourinho and Luis Enrique in the league phase, Roma must travel to the Turkish capital, where they are certain to receive a warm welcome.

Possible Fenerbahce Starting Lineup

Ederson; Mert Muldur, Milan Skriniar, Akaydin, Brown; Kante, Yuksek; Aydin, Akturkoglu, Greenwood; Muric.

Possible Roma Starting Lineup

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

Including qualifying rounds, Fenerbahce have lost only five of their last 32 European home matches while winning 20, but they did lose at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest last season.

Lyon also left this stadium with a draw during the playoff stage, so given Roma's strong attacking threat and current form, they should be able to take something away from Turkey.