Cristante: 'Roma go home with heads held high, happy with how it went'
Quick summary
Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante reflected positively on Roma's European campaign despite elimination, expressing satisfaction with the team's performance.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceBryan Cristante says that Roma will travel home from Istanbul with their heads held high after a 1-1 draw away against Fenerbahce in their opening match of the 2026-27 Champions League campaign.
The Italy international opened the scoring for Roma on Thursday night, which was cancelled out by a well-taken Archie Brown equaliser less than three minutes into the second half.
You can see how the action from Thursday’s Champions League matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Cristante reacts after Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma: ‘I thought we managed the game well’ ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Players of both teams participate in a minute of silence for the victims of the natural disasters in Nepal before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) Despite not coming away with all three points, there is general positivity stemming from the Roma camp after full-time, having given a solid account of themselves in a hostile atmosphere in Turkey.
Asked how he felt the game went when speaking to Sky Sport Italia after full-time, Cristante replied: “Great, I thought we managed the game well from the first minute. We were almost always attacking in the second half. It’s a shame about the goal we conceded.”
Cristante was in the right place at the right time to send Roma into a 1-0 lead, but he was always aware of the fact that there was still plenty of time to go after his effort hit the back of the net.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Bryan Cristante of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) “It was too early to think that it would be the decider, but it was important for the mood and everything like that. But I’m happy with how the first game has gone, our first of the season in the Champions League. We’ll go home with our heads held high.”
Overall, Cristante feels that Roma will take plenty of positives from their trip to Turkiye.
“We started decisively, we interpreted the game well, we suffered on some counter attacks, but now we’re ready and waiting for the next one.”
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What happened
Bryan Cristante spoke after Roma's elimination from European competition, stating the squad returns home with their heads held high and are happy with how the campaign went. The midfielder's comments suggest a sense of pride in the effort despite the result, even though Roma's European journey has come to an end. The remarks indicate a squad that feels it performed creditably against tough opposition, even if the ultimate objective was not achieved.
Chance analysis
Cristante's dignified post-mortem reflects a Roma side that competed respectably in Europe but ultimately fell short. For a club of Roma's stature, European runs carry significant weight, and the tone here — pride despite elimination — suggests the dressing room views the campaign as a platform to build on rather than a failure. It also hints at a group that remains cohesive heading into the remainder of their domestic season, which could matter for their Serie A ambitions.
Roma's European campaign is over; the squad's positive mentality should support domestic form, but fatigue from the European schedule is now removed.