Seven years after their last appearance in Europe’s most prestigious competition, Roma are finally back in the Champions League. Their return represents far more than qualification—it is the end of a long and often painful journey.
When Roma step onto the pitch against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, they will bring seven years of frustration, change and longing with them.
The Giallorossi last played a Champions League match on March 6, 2019, when they were eliminated by Porto in the round of 16. That defeat came less than a year after the unforgettable run to the 2018 semifinals, when Roma overturned a three-goal deficit against Barcelona on one of the greatest nights in the club’s history.
Few could have imagined that Roma would then spend more than seven years waiting to return.
Roma’s Long Road Back to the Champions League
Roma remained competitive during their absence, but repeatedly fell short of Serie A’s Champions League places.
The club changed ownership, appointed several coaches and rebuilt its squad numerous times while attempting to balance sporting ambition with financial restrictions. There were promising stretches, but inconsistency and injuries regularly prevented Roma from sustaining a complete league campaign.
European football still provided memorable moments. Roma reached the Europa League semifinals in 2021, won the inaugural Conference League under José Mourinho in 2022 and came within a penalty shootout of lifting the Europa League the following year.
Those runs restored pride and delivered unforgettable nights, but the Champions League remained the destination everyone wanted to reach.
Roma’s financial situation made that pursuit even more difficult. UEFA restrictions limited the club’s flexibility in the transfer market, while the absence of Champions League revenue made it harder to close the gap on Italy’s strongest teams.
It became an uphill battle: Roma needed the competition’s revenue to accelerate their growth, but first had to qualify without possessing the same financial freedom as several of their rivals.
Gasperini Completes the Mission
Gian Piero Gasperini ultimately guided Roma back to the Champions League by completing a remarkable transformation during the 2025/26 season.
The Giallorossi recovered from a difficult position, produced an outstanding finish and secured third place in Serie A. That achievement ended the long wait and allowed Roma to hear the Champions League anthem again.
Gasperini’s side now enter Europe with confidence after opening the Serie A season with three consecutive victories. The first challenge comes in Istanbul, where Roma will face Fenerbahçe in front of approximately 2,300 travelling Giallorossi supporters.
A Return That Means Everything to Roma Supporters
For Roma’s fans, Champions League football has never felt like a simple entry on the schedule.
It brings back memories of Francesco Totti competing against Europe’s greatest players, iconic nights under the lights at the Olimpico and victories that allowed Roma to stand alongside the continent’s elite.
A generation of younger supporters has barely experienced their club in this competition. Others have spent every season measuring the distance separating Roma from the stage where they believe the club belongs.
That is why the night in Istanbul carries such emotional significance. It is the reward for years of loyalty through ownership changes, sporting disappointments and repeated near misses.
Roma are not merely beginning another European campaign. They are reclaiming their place in the Champions League—and, after seven long years, their supporters can finally dream among Europe’s elite once again.
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