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.
Late Surge Delivers Maximum Points
Substitutes Carlos Espí and Endrick each scored before a 90th-minute header from Antonio Rüdiger sealed the result. Arda Güler provided his second assist of the night on the winning goal, giving Madrid maximum points in the league phase so far.
Mourinho Admits Tactical Error
In his postmatch news conference, Mourinho said counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini had outsmarted him before he made the necessary 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 brought on Endrick for Vinícius Júnior and Güler in the 59th minute, then added Espí and Bernardo Silva as Madrid searched desperately for a way back into the game.
Vinícius told reporters he had not understood the switch, calling it “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.”
Warm Reception at Stadio Olimpico
Mourinho received a hero’s welcome at Stadio Olimpico, the home of one of his former clubs. Before kickoff, a long applause rang out when the stadium announcer read out the teams and Mourinho’s name.
Early in the first half, Roma’s hard-core “ultra” fans 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, the title that concluded his first season in charge. It was Roma’s first significant European trophy.
Mourinho also led Roma to the 2023 Europa League final. He left the club 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.