Fenerbahçe – Roma: A Flawed Draw Between Two Champions League Returnees (1-1)

On their return to the Champions League, Fenerbahçe missed the chances that could have made for a perfect story, before eventually settling for a draw against AS Roma. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side offered little tactical inspiration.

Tactical analysis and match report by André Martins.

It was a duel between two returnees. Fenerbahçe were back in the Champions League eighteen years later, having earned their place by eliminating Olympique Lyonnais in the play-offs. They welcomed AS Roma to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. The Giallorossi had also been absent from the most prestigious competition since 2019. The duel was far from flawless tactically, and these two sides eventually had to share the points.

İsmail Kartal opted for a 4-3-3, with Ederson in goal, protected by Archie Brown, Nathan Aké, captain Milan Škriniar and Mert Müldür. In midfield, Bartuğ Elmaz, İsmail Yüksek and N’Golo Kanté, behind an attack featuring Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Vedat Muriqi and Mason Greenwood. Guilty of insulting Lyon supporters after the Istanbul club’s victory, Mattéo Guendouzi was serving the first of his four-match suspension, two of them effective, that evening.

Gian Piero Gasperini lined up his usual 3-4-3. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar behind the three centre-backs Mario Hermoso, Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini. Manu Koné and Cristante formed the midfield pair, flanked by wing-backs Wesley and Devyne Rensch. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supported Donyell Malen.

Take the left-hand route

This might be what Gian Piero Gasperini told his players during the build-up to this . . .