2026-2027 Champions League: Fenerbahçe vs. Roma—Probable Lineups

Fenerbahçe and Roma face off at 6:45 p.m. in Istanbul in a match counting toward the first matchday of the Champions League group stage. The Turks are coming off a league loss to Beşiktaş and are looking to bounce back in front of their passionate fans; Gasperini’s team has won its first three games of the season and remains undefeated in Serie A.

Kartal is expected to start Muriqi up front again, while Lukaku will once again take a seat on the bench. In the attacking midfield, Dorgeles, Greenwood, and Akturkoglu will start; in the midfield, Kanté will partner with Yuksek, and the two fullbacks will be Semedo and Brown. Fenerbahçe will be without the suspended Guendouzi.

Gasperini is expected to stick with his usual starting lineup: Malen as the center forward; the only question mark is whether Mora or Soulé will partner Dybala in the Giallorossi’s attacking midfield trio. Molina and Wesley are the two fullbacks, while Koné and Cristante form the midfield pairing. In defense, the trio in front of Svilar will consist of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso. Roma returns to the Champions League after seven years.

Fenerbahçe vs. Roma: Probable Lineups
FENERBAHÇE (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Aké, Brown; Kanté, Yuksek; Dorgeles, Greenwood, Akturkoglu; Muriqi. Coach: Kartal
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen. Head Coach: Gasperini

Gasperini previewed the match at a press conference: “We’re ready to get off to a good start. Dybala is already demonstrating his consistency as well as his value—which we all know—and he’s in great form. We’re playing in a heated atmosphere, and it won’t be easy. We face top-tier teams, each with extraordinary players who can change the outcome with a single play. We need to be aware of this, accept it, and try to manage it—but that doesn’t mean we have to compromise our style.”