Gasperini: Roma's 1-1 draw in Istanbul can be important for Champions League progress

Gian Piero Gasperini insists Roma can be content with the 1-1 Champions League draw away to Fenerbahce . ‘A point can be important for the table and to achieve our targets.’

The Giallorossi had the better of possession in Istanbul, and had taken the lead through the Bryan Cristante low drive from the edge of the area.

However, they tired as the match wore on and Mile Svilar had several saves to make along with the Archie Brown dinked equaliser.

Gasperini sees Roma positives ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, gestures 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 a good performance, but it wasn’t easy in this atmosphere and against a team that, despite being on home turf, clammed up in defence and tried to go on the counter with their quick forwards,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“I think we played very well. At the end of the day, a point can be important for the table. We need draws too in order to achieve our targets.”

Brown’s goal came from a through pass, as the Roma defence showed difficulty dealing with some of the Fenerbahce movement off the ball.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Archie Brown of Fenerbahce is challenged by Devyne Rensch of AS Roma 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) “We certainly made the wrong movement in defence, but this happens sometimes when we’re too deep. It’s actually better when we are attacking and pushing in their half,” noted the coach.

“It is something we definitely need to work on, because we cannot always push forward, especially in this competition, at times we will be on the back foot. It was a mistake in our defensive movement.”

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Mert Muldur of Fenerbahce is challenged by Mile Svilar of AS Roma 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) Gasperini did not start any summer signings this evening, but did he expect more of an impact from those who came off the bench?

“I don’t think so. Leonardo Balerdi came on very well, so did Nahuel Molina. It wasn’t easy for Niccolò Pisilli. Maybe Rodrigo Mora struggled, I put him on to make the most of his pace, but it was tough to find him between the lines.

“I introduced Marten De Roon when we needed to just bring home the result. I thought everyone had the right approach.”

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, looks on 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) Much like in the most recent Serie A match against Atalanta, Roma conceded at the dawn of the second half, so is this a potential problem?

“When it happens twice, that’s an indication. Not everything in football is explicable, sometimes it is a fluke, but from the next game we must be more focused,” concluded Gasperini.