José Mourinho took the blame for Real Madrid’s struggles at AS Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday, then praised his players for a seven-minute comeback that turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 win.
Substitutes Carlos Espí and Endrick each scored before a 90th-minute header from Antonio Rüdiger. Arda Güler provided his second assist of the night, giving Madrid maximum points in the league phase so far.
Mourinho admits he was outsmarted
In his postmatch news conference, Mourinho said he had been outsmarted by counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini before making the necessary tactical changes after the break.
“The first half was the coach’s fault; the second half was the players’ fault,” Mourinho said. “Football is a 90-minute, strategic game. Opponents matter, and today’s opponent was incredibly strong. They are a formidable team.”
“But it’s impossible to play at that intensity, the way they played, for a full 90 minutes. I made the substitutions I thought were necessary. But in the first half, they really punished us.”
Mourinho introduced Endrick, who replaced Vinícius Júnior, and Güler in the 59th minute. He then added Espí and Bernardo Silva as Madrid searched desperately for a way back into the game.
Vinícius told reporters afterwards that he had not understood the switch. He said it was “natural to be angry”, while acknowledging that the change had paid off.
“It was tough for Vini,” Mourinho said. “Vini lost a ball he shouldn’t have lost [for Roma’s second goal]. But that’s how it goes. I make mistakes, too. It’s a shame that this happened, just as he was growing and finding happiness again.”
“It’s natural for him not to be happy. … Frustration is normal. But after the match, he was very happy about the win.”
A warm reception in Rome
Mourinho was treated like a returning hero at the Stadio Olimpico, the home of one of his former clubs.
Before kickoff, a long applause greeted the stadium announcer as he read out the teams and Mourinho’s name. Early in the first half, Roma’s hardcore “ultra” fans, seated at one end of the stadium, held up three huge signs featuring images of Mourinho. One depicted him cradling the Conference League trophy that Roma won in 2022, concluding his first season in charge.
That Conference League title was Roma’s first significant European trophy. Mourinho also led the club to the Europa League final in 2023. He left in January 2024 without really saying goodbye.
“Whoever brings glory to Rome, Rome will honor forever,” read one of the banners. “The people bestow you with eternal glory.”
Mourinho said he was left “speechless” by the reception.