Gasperini: ‘Roma curious to face the best teams in Champions League’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini admits Roma are ‘curious to measure ourselves up against the best teams’ in the Champions League, starting with a trip to Fenerbahce.

It kicks off at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on Thursday at 17.45 UK time (18.45 CEST).

The Giallorossi head into European competition after winning all three of their Serie A matches so far this season, even if the 2-1 comeback win over Atalanta had them trailing until the 89th minute.

Gasperini and Roma ready for Europe

NEWPORT, WALES – AUGUST 04: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on before the pre-season friendly match between Newport County and AS Roma at Rodney Parade on August 04, 2026 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

“Undoubtedly, it is the most important club competition, more prestigious even than the Club World Cup, that all the coaches and players want to participate in,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

Devyne Rensch returns to the squad after missing the first three games due to a muscular issue, so Lorenzo Pellegrini is the only unavailable player.

“We are generally in good shape, only Pellegrini is out, but we trust he will recover pretty soon, so we’re ready for this new adventure.”

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Donyell Malen with Paulo Dybala and Wesley Franca of AS Roma celebrates during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 24, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Paulo Dybala has been an inspiration so far this season and it is thanks also to the longest spell of physical fitness he’s had in a few years.

“Dybala is already proving his consistency, because everyone always recognised his quality, but this season has started stronger than the last because he is extraordinarily consistent both in training and during matches, so these are the results.”

Roma have won their last eight Serie A matches on the bounce including last term, so what prompted the surge in form from January 2026 onwards?

“This has always been a very united, focused group aimed at achieving certain targets. We probably raised the technical level in recent months, and also have a year of games behind us so know each other better.

“The level was raised with Dybala, Malen, but we are also scoring a lot more goals and that is the reflection of the step up in quality.”

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, gives the team instructions alongside Mario Hermoso and Jan Ziolkowski of AS Roma during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Gasperini certainly saw the mentality of Roma on show in their incredible comeback to beat his old club Atalanta 2-1, but this is their return to the Champions League after seven years.

“When you overturn a game that you are losing at the 88th minute and winning at the 93rd, it gives you a boost of energy. However, this is a new competition for Roma, and we too are a little curious to measure ourselves up against the best teams in the world.

“We start in a fiery atmosphere and want to see from there what our character and level is. These are all top teams in their individual leagues and with extraordinary players in their ranks. During a balanced encounter, they can change the result with a moment of inspiration.

“We must know that, be wary, but also have faith in our own capabilities, and know we can cause the same problems for our opponents,” concluded Gasperini.