Roma had not played a Champions League match since 2019. Seven years of Europa League and Conference League nights ended at the Sukru Saracoglu on Thursday evening, and what they got for the wait was a scrappy 1-1 draw in one of the loudest stadiums in Europe. On the balance of the night, they will take it.
Bryan Cristante put them ahead on 39 minutes. Fenerbahce equalised through Brown three minutes into the second half. Roma never really found their rhythm after that and spent much of the last half-hour defending their penalty area.
Cristante's goal came against the flow
Fenerbahce had the better of the opening half-hour. They pushed their full-backs high, forced Roma deep and generated a steady stream of crosses. Roma's goal arrived from one of the few spells they managed to string passes together in the Turkish half, and Cristante arrived late in the box to finish it.
Leading at half-time in Istanbul is not the same as controlling a match. Roma knew what was coming after the break and still could not stop it. Brown's equaliser on 48 came from the same overload down the flank that had been causing problems all night.
A point that Roma needed more than they will admit
The Sukru Saracoglu is a difficult place for any visiting team. Fenerbahce's supporters do not stop, the pitch is tight, and referees rarely enjoy it. Roma came away with a point, a solid defensive performance in the last half-hour, and no injuries of note. For a squad returning to this level after a long absence, that is a functional evening.
The concern is that Roma looked short of ideas whenever Fenerbahce pressed them properly. They struggled to build out from the back and ended up going long more often than their coach would have wanted. Against better opposition in the league phase, one goal will not be enough.
What both sides take from matchday one
A draw away from home is a reasonable start for Roma in a format where the top eight go straight through to the last 16. Fenerbahce, playing at home, will feel they left two points behind. They had the territory, the crowd and the better of the second half, and could not turn any of it into a winner.
Both sides will meet stronger tests before this phase is finished. Roma at least know they can survive a hostile away night, which was not a certainty a week ago.
Match facts: Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma, UEFA Champions League league phase matchday one, Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Thursday 10 September 2026, 17:45 kick-off. Scorers: Cristante 39 (Roma), Brown 48 (Fenerbahce). Roma's first Champions League fixture since 2019.
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