Fenerbahce host AS Roma in the early Thursday match of the day in the Champions League league phase. Kick-off is at 18:45 CEST (12:45 p.m. ET) at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul. The Turkish side return to the Champions League league phase after an 18-year absence, while Roma arrive in strong form after winning their opening three Serie A matches under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Starting Lineups and Team News
Confirmed starting XIs have been announced:
Fenerbahce (4-2-3-1) XI: Ederson, Müldür, Skriniar, Aké, Brown; Yüksek, Kanté; Aktürkoğlu, Greenwood, Elmaz; Muriqi
Substitutes (Fenerbahce): Cetin, Gunok, Demir, Aydin, Kahveci, Lukaku, Mercan, Mimovic, Nene, Peprah, Semedo
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AS Roma (3-4-2-1) XI: Svilar; Mancini, N’Dicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley França; Dybala, Soulé, Malen
Substitutes (AS Roma): De Marzi, Gollini, Balerdi, Castro, De Roon, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Molina, Lulli, Mora, Pisilli
Fenerbahce Team News
Matteo Guendouzi is suspended after the midfielder was involved in an altercation following Fenerbahce’s Champions League playoff victory over Lyon. UEFA handed him a four-match suspension, with two matches suspended for a one-year probation period, meaning he will miss Thursday’s opener.
Jayden Oosterwolde remains sidelined with an Achilles injury, while Marco Asensio is a doubt after recently dealing with a muscle problem. Talisca has left the club, while Romelu Lukaku is available (update: will start on the bench) and provides Fenerbahce with a major attacking option against his former club.
AS Roma Team News
Lorenzo Pellegrini remains sidelined with a thigh problem and is not expected to feature in Istanbul. Otherwise, Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini said his squad is in good shape ahead of the club’s long-awaited return to Champions League football.
Paulo Dybala is fit and available after starting Roma’s opening three Serie A matches, while Donyell Malen will be looking to continue his excellent start to the season. The summer signing has already scored five goals and will be one of Fenerbahce’s biggest threats in attack.
Live Updates
1′ – We have kickoff!
7′ – Cautious start by both clubs. Roma have had more of the possession. Fener happy to sit back and defend. No shots on goal for either team.
11′ – First shot on target from Fenerbahce. Nicely worked ball on the right side.
12′ – Roma keeper forced to make another save as Fenerbahce are waking up.
20′ – Fenerbahce are handling Roma’s high press better, balancing the match. Still 0-0.
21′ -Roma’s first shot on target. Dybala had a clear shot from the right side but saved by the Fener keeper.
30′ – We are back to Roma with possession and Fenerbahce defending patiently. Fenerbahce looking for counters but Roma high pressure doing it’s job so far.
39′ – GOAL ROMA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cristante
Donyell Malen on the left side trying to position himself for a shot, feeds it across to Cristante who puts it low into the corner from just outside the box to the keepers right. Fenerbahce 0-1 AS Roma
HALFTIME – Fenerbahce 0-1 AS Roma. Roma looked more and more comfortable in possession as the half wore on. They got their reward in the 39th minute with a wonderful shot by Cristante from just outside the box. Fenerbahce counter attacking approach not rattling Roma in the first half.
48′ – GOAL FENERBAHCE!!!!!!!!!! Archie Brown Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma
Simple possession but Roma for the first time tonight looked unorganized in the back. Easy through ball found Archie Brown who lobbed it over the keeper easily. 1-1 and game on!!
52′ – Roma are rattled. Fenerbahce should have been up 2-1 but Roma’s keeper with a great save.
67′ – PENALTY ROMA but VAR overturns
72′ – Lukaku has entered the match for Fenerbahce. Still 1-1.
86′ – Still 1-1. Roma with possession but Fenerbahce closer to finding a winner on the counter. They just hit the post.
FULL TIME – FENERBAHCE 1-1 AS ROMA
Fair result. Roma had more of the possession (58%) but Fenerbahce defended well and were always dangerous on the counter. A good, more open 2nd half. In the end, a fair draw.
Fenerbahce vs AS Roma Lineup Today: Confirmed Starting XI, Team News and Live Updates