Roma marks return to Champions League competition after seven-year absence

AS Roma returns to the Champions League for the first time in seven years with a fixture at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul. CEO John Galantic confirmed the club achieved its target while maintaining squad continuity, noting that the entire starting XI for the match consists of players from the previous season. The club solidified its roster by retaining key figures including Dybala, Pellegrini, Cristante, and Mancini, who agreed to contract extensions with reduced salaries to meet UEFA requirements. Roma enters the European campaign following a strong start in Serie A, where the team earned three wins in three matches. The ownership group, the Friedkin family, remains actively involved in the project despite their typically private approach to club management. This marks a significant milestone for the club during its centenary year.

• 4:25 PMYahoo Sports — Galantic: ‘Roma return to Champions League fundamental after seven years’