Fenerbahçe return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 18 years on Thursday when they host Roma in the opening round of the league phase, hoping to turn a difficult domestic start into a memorable European night.
The match at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul kicks off at 7:45 p.m. local time.
The Yellow Canaries endured a long and difficult road back to Europe's elite club competition.
Starting in the second qualifying round, they eliminated Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz before overcoming Lyon in a tense playoff to finally end an 18-year absence from the Champions League's main phase.
Fenerbahçe have played 154 matches in UEFA competitions since their last Champions League appearance, suffering nine qualifying exits along the way. Their most recent attempt ended against Benfica last season, a setback that contributed to Jose Mourinho's departure and eventually paved the way for Domenico Tedesco.
After Tedesco's spell, Fenerbahçe turned to Ismail Kartal, who guided them through three rounds of qualifying and back into the competition they had been desperate to reach.
Their return, however, comes at a challenging moment domestically.
Fenerbahçe opened their Süper Lig campaign with a defeat against Gençlerbirliği but responded with consecutive victories before suffering another setback Saturday, when they were beaten at home by city rivals Beşiktaş in the derby.
Kartal's side will therefore view the visit of Roma as an opportunity to change the mood around the team and give their supporters a result worthy of their long-awaited return to Europe's top club competition.
Roma have also waited several years to return to the Champions League, although their seven-year absence has included a historic European triumph. The Italian club won the inaugural Europa Conference League during that period before securing their return to Europe's premier competition with a strong finish to last season.
They ended the Serie A campaign with five consecutive victories, scoring at least twice in each of those matches while conceding only two goals. That surge helped them finish third and marked an impressive first season under veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Gasperini brings considerable European experience to the Roma dugout. During his time at Atalanta, he led the club to the Europa League title in 2024 and established them as a regular presence in European competition.
His Roma side have carried that momentum into the new season.
They have won all three of their Serie A matches and sit at the top of the early standings, ahead of reigning champions Inter Milan on goal difference. Their latest victory was particularly dramatic, with Roma producing a late comeback against Gasperini's former club.
The Italian visitors have also been boosted by the early form of Donyell Malen, who has emerged as one of their most dangerous attacking players.
The game could also carry extra significance for Fenerbahçe striker Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgium international spent the 2023-24 season at Roma, making Thursday's meeting a reunion with his former club. If selected, Lukaku will have the chance to face several familiar faces on a night when Fenerbahçe will need their leading attacking options to deliver.
Talisca, who was Fenerbahçe's leading scorer during qualifying, has since joined Al Jazira, leaving Lukaku and Vedat Muriqi among the options to lead the attack.
Fenerbahçe will be without at least two players against Roma.
Matteo Guendouzi is suspended by UEFA after receiving a two-match ban, while Marco Asensio is dealing with a thigh injury and remains unavailable.
Jayden Oosterwolde is also sidelined after undergoing surgery on a hamstring problem.
Roma have fewer selection concerns. Lorenzo Pellegrini is their only confirmed absentee as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury, leaving Gasperini with an otherwise strong squad to choose from.
Roma possess plenty of attacking quality, with Paulo Dybala and Malen expected to play central roles.
Dybala remains the experienced centerpiece of the attack and has been among Roma's standout performers this season. The Argentine has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 16 Champions League starts, although his most recent appearance in the competition came in March 2022.
Malen provides a younger and more explosive threat. Alongside Dybala, he gives Roma a dangerous attacking partnership capable of testing Fenerbahçe's defense.
Roma's squad also features France international Manu Kone and a collection of promising young players, including Santiago Castro, Matias Soule, Rodrigo Mora and Niccolo Pisilli.
