Fenerbahçe defender Milan Skriniar expects a physical and demanding Champions League encounter against a Roma side whose quality he believes has increased under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Skriniar knows Gasperini’s football extremely well. The defender faced his Atalanta teams on several occasions during his time with Inter and understands the intensity required to compete against the experienced Italian coach.
Their paths will cross again on Wednesday when Fenerbahçe welcome Roma to Istanbul for the opening match of the Champions League league phase.
Skriniar expects a physical Roma challenge
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Skriniar reflected on his previous meetings with Gasperini in Serie A.
“I faced Mister Gasperini many times when he was at Atalanta,” Skriniar said. “They were always very difficult matches because his teams play very physical football and run a lot.”
The Slovakian international believes Gasperini now has even more technical talent available to him in the Italian capital.
“With Roma, in my opinion, the level of quality has increased even further,” he added.
The Giallorossi have demonstrated both sides of that identity during their perfect start to the season. Roma recorded comfortable 4-0 victories over Fiorentina and Lecce before using their intensity and persistence to complete a stoppage-time comeback against Atalanta.
Fenerbahçe studied Roma in detail
Skriniar insists Fenerbahçe have carefully prepared for the tactical challenges Roma will present.
“The team are well prepared,” he explained. “The coach and his staff analyzed everything and showed us every detail.”
“We have our final training session today before this big match, and I think we are ready to fight.”
The complete Fenerbahçe vs Roma preview includes the latest team news, predicted lineups and broadcast information.
Fenerbahçe will also benefit from a passionate home atmosphere, although Gasperini’s team will have the backing of approximately 2,300 travelling Roma supporters.
Skriniar highlights threat from Dybala and Malen
Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will be among the principal attacking threats facing Fenerbahçe.
Malen has started the Serie A season in exceptional form, while Dybala remains the creative reference point within Roma’s attack. Skriniar acknowledged the quality of Gasperini’s options and the Giallorossi’s impressive domestic results.
“They are doing very well in the league and have strong players like the ones you mentioned,” the former Inter defender said.
Stopping Roma’s attackers, however, cannot be left exclusively to Fenerbahçe’s defensive unit.
Fenerbahçe need a collective defensive performance
Skriniar believes his entire team must contribute defensively to limit Roma’s strengths.
“We must all work together—not only the defence, but the entire team—to restrict their strengths and try to obtain a good result,” he said.
“We’ll have to remain focused and produce a great performance.”
Skriniar’s knowledge of Gasperini’s methods could prove valuable to Fenerbahçe, but Roma’s increased quality and attacking variety will provide a significant test.
The match begins at 6:45 PM CEST, or 12:45 PM ET, as the Giallorossi return to the Champions League after more than seven years away.
Source: Milan Skriniar’s pre-match press conference
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