Fenerbahçe and Roma both ended long absences from the Champions League but neither could celebrate a winning return in a 1-1 draw Thursday.
Fenerbahçe were last in Europe’s top-tier competition in the 2008-09 campaign, while Roma had missed seven Champions League seasons since reaching the last 16 in 2018-19.
Roma took the lead on Bryan Cristante’s low shot from outside the box in the 39th minute. Fenerbahçe left back Archie Brown moved into a center forward position and looked like a natural striker as he flicked the ball over the goalkeeper to level the score in the 48th.
Nathan Ake headed against the bar late on with a chance to win the game for Fenerbahçe.
Elsewhere, United States full-back Sergino Dest scored for PSV Eindhoven off a low cross in a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk after Gleiker Mendoza had opened the scoring for the Ukrainian team.
Six-time winner Bayern Munich host last season’s surprise package Bodo/Glimt, and upstart Como make their debut against Leipzig.
Bodo/Glimt are coming off a run to the last 16 that included victories over Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan. They have already come through two rounds of qualifying to reach the league phase again.
With 14 goals in 13 matches last season, Bayern striker Harry Kane finished second only to Kylian Mbappe (15) in last season’s scoring chart. Bayern were eliminated by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.
Cesc Fabregas’ Como finished fourth ahead of Juventus and AC Milan last season to claim Serie A’s final Champions League spot with a high-pressing brand of football that is uncommon in Italy.
Having played in the fourth division of Italian football just seven years ago, it’s the first time in Como’s 119-year history that they have qualified for a continental competition.
Also, three-time winners Manchester United mark their Champions League return after two years out by hosting Azerbaijani debutant Sabah, which came through three rounds of qualifying and a playoff to make it this far.
Slavia Prague play Lens in the other late match.
