Gasperini trusts Dybala, Roma aim for a strong start in the Champions League

After years of drifting in the Europa League, Roma finally breathe the air of the Champions League. On Tuesday night, they will step into their first group-stage match against Fenerbahce, an opponent rated highly by coach Gian Piero Gasperini. But what makes the tifosi feel most at ease right now is not just the ticket back to the prestigious arena, but also the image of Paulo Dybala playing the best football since arriving in Rome. Today, at the pre-match press conference, Gasperini did not hesitate to praise his number 21. “Dybala is having the highest form in recent seasons. Not only does he score, but he also elevates the whole team,” the Italian tactician said. This is not just a courtesy compliment, but a recognition based on what the former Juventus striker has shown on the pitch since the start of the season. With his superb individual technique, delicate finishing, and impressive tactical vision, Dybala is the destination of every attacking move for the Giallorossi. Roma's return to the Champions League is an important milestone. In recent years, the capital club had to settle for the Europa League, considered the second-tier European competition. Appearing in the most prestigious tournament brings not only significant revenue but also confirms the club's status. Gasperini understands this, and he also knows that to stay at this level, Roma cannot rely on a single individual, even a star like Dybala. Hence, the Italian coach repeatedly stressed collective strength and squad depth. “We have had a successful summer transfer window. The team has more quality options, and I can rotate without worrying about a drop in quality. Many players will get minutes, and that is crucial in a congested schedule.” Gasperini’s statements reflect satisfaction with the club’s recruitment. Roma have brought in several new players to boost depth, and they are clearly having an impact. Not only talking about his team, Gasperini also paid special respect to Fenerbahce. “Fenerbahce are a very strong side with a quality squad. They have many experienced players and always know how to put pressure on opponents. We need to be fully focused to get a good result.” This shows the Italian coach is not complacent, especially as this is only the first group-stage match. He knows a defeat could affect the mentality of the entire campaign. Another notable point is Gasperini’s emphasis on the fixture schedule. After the international break, players return with varying fitness levels. Playing with high frequency in both domestic and European competitions demands careful management of personnel. “The first match always arouses curiosity and caution. We must be ready for any situation,” he said. However, looking closely at the picture Gasperini painted, there is a blind spot Roma fans should note. Excessive reliance on Dybala could become a double-edged sword. The season is long, and if the Argentine gets injured or loses form, do Roma have adequate replacements? In a competition as demanding as the Champions League, when opponents press and exploit every small mistake, relying on one individual to shine is a gamble. Indeed, Dybala’s form is high, but it is only early season. A long campaign with many competitions will test the stamina of the 31-year-old. Gasperini seems to have found better ways to use him, but can he manage Dybala’s workload without reducing attacking creativity? That is a difficult puzzle for the coach. As for Fenerbahce, despite missing key players through injury like Asensio and Guendouzi, the Turkish side are still considered to have a formidable squad depth. They will not come to Rome to defend, because in the Champions League, teams like Fenerbahce always know how to cause surprises. On many occasions in the past, bigger sides have fallen to underdogs. Gasperini knows this well, so his caution is entirely justified. Another factor behind Roma’s strength this season is rotation strategy. Compared to other big clubs, Roma’s squad is not extremely deep, but smart additions in the transfer market have made them more flexible in squad usage. Young players and new signings gradually integrating are creating a deeper collective. This is particularly important as Roma face several crucial matches in a short period. From what Gasperini has shown, Roma are aiming for an ambitious Champions League campaign. But that ambition must rest on stability. Whether they can maintain form through each round will be the story of the season. For now, the immediate goal is to get off to a good start against Fenerbahce, thereby building momentum for subsequent group games. Tuesday night will be a real test of Roma’s ambition to return to the top of Europe. With a blazing Dybala and a coach who knows how to turn things around, fans have every right to expect a positive result. But football is not decided merely by numbers or names; it is also about tactical calculations and a bit of luck. Roma have waited for this moment for a long time, and now they must prove that the return ticket is not a coincidence. The former Juventus star is enjoying being the center of attention, and Gasperini is also enjoying having a squad that can compete on many fronts. But the road ahead is long, and things can change quickly if Roma do not manage the fitness of key players. The Champions League does not forgive complacency, and that is something any supporter of the eternal city must remember. Furthermore, in recent seasons, Italian football has shown signs of a strong comeback in Europe. Inter reached the final, and Milan also regularly made the knockouts. Roma, with big signings like Dybala, are expected to follow their rivals. However, to go far, Gasperini needs players willing to sacrifice for the collective. Players like Bove or Pellegrini must share the burden with the number 21. The arrival of summer signings gives him more bench options, which was missing last season. The opponent from Turkey is not an easy side. Fenerbahce’s coach will have his own plans to neutralize Dybala. They might assign a defender to closely mark him, or use a defensive midfielder to cut off supply. Roma must have alternative attacking options to reduce reliance on the number 21. That will be a real test for the home side’s attack. If they only depend on one individual, their Champions League ambition may remain a distant dream.