Fenerbahçe SK manager Ismail Kartal is grappling with significant squad selection headaches ahead of the club's UEFA Champions League match against Roma on Thursday, 10 September. The Turkish Süper Lig side, currently sitting 9th with 6 points from 4 games (2 wins, 2 losses), makes its long-awaited return to Europe's elite competition after an 18-year absence.
According to a report by Hürriyet Spor, Kartal's main issue is in midfield. Mattéo Guendouzi is suspended for two matches due to an incident in a Lyon game and will be unavailable. Also, Marco Asensio is still recovering from injury and has not yet started training with the team. This situation makes İsmail Yüksek the only available alternative to start in the first eleven in place of Guendouzi. The team's injuries list currently includes Jayden Oosterwolde alongside the suspended Guendouzi.
Which players will get a chance in midfield?
Ismail Kartal is working day and night analyzing Roma and preparing tactics for the important encounter. The composition of the midfield in Guendouzi's absence is a key question. İrfan Can, a forward, has found little success since Talisca's departure. Kerem, who came on in the second half of the Beşiktaş derby, did not meet expectations. In contrast, Oğuz, who was a key player in the derby as well as in matches against Lyon and Samsunspor, continues to be favoured by the technical staff. Semiyid Semedo appears to have lost his place in the starting lineup.
Former president Aziz Yıldırım's question, "Why aren't we making use of Mert Müldür?", has also sparked debate. Following this comment, Mert Müldür is expected to move to the right side of defence. Fenerbahçe has scored 8 goals and conceded 6 this season for a +2 goal difference, trailing league leaders Galatasaray by 4 points in the standings.
What lineup will Ismail Kartal prefer?
Manager Ismail Kartal is expected to field Nene on the left wing and Greenwood on the right wing for the Roma match. Kerem is also anticipated to play wearing the number 10 jersey. Kartal, along with his experienced technical staff, is operating under heavy pressure. The match is scheduled for 19:45 at the Chobani Stadyumu in Istanbul and will be broadcast live on TRT 1 and the Tabii platform.
What is Fenerbahçe's schedule after the Roma match?
Following the Champions League fixture, Fenerbahçe will return to Süper Lig action. The team's next league match is an away fixture against Başakşehir, who are 12th in the table, on 6 December 2026. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page. The decisions made by Ismail Kartal in the coming days will directly impact the team's trajectory both in Europe and domestically, as they look to improve on their recent form of LWWL.
