José Mourinho took the blame for Real Madrid‘s struggles at AS Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday, then praised his players for leading 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 sealed the result. Arda Güler provided his second assist of the night, and the victory gave Madrid maximum points in the league phase so far.
Mourinho Admits Outfoxed in First Half
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.”
He added: “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. He then added Espí and Bernardo Silva as Madrid searched desperately for a way back into the game.
Vinícius Reacts to Substitution
Vinícius told reporters afterward that he had not understood the switch. He said it was “natural to be angry,” while acknowledging that the change had paid off.
Mourinho defended his forward. “It was tough for Vini,” he 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,” Mourinho said.
Emotional Return to Stadio Olimpico
Mourinho received a hero’s welcome at Stadio Olimpico, the home of one of his former clubs. Before kickoff, the crowd gave him a long applause when the stadium announcer read out the teams and his name.
Early in the first half, Roma’s hard-core “ultra” fans held up three huge signs featuring images of Mourinho at the end of the stadium where they sit. One banner depicted him cradling the Conference League trophy that Roma won in 2022, the season that concluded his first year in charge. That title was the club’s first significant European trophy.
Mourinho also led Roma to the Europa League final in 2023. 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.