Real Madrid stun Roma 4-3 on Mourinho's emotional homecoming — SkimNews
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- Real Madrid recovered from 3-1 down to beat Roma 4-3 in the Champions League, with Antonio Rüdiger's 90th-minute header capping a seven-minute comeback after Arda Güler provided his second assist of the night
- Mourinho blamed himself for the first half, telling reporters "The first half was the coach's fault; the second half was the players' fault," and credited Roma counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini for outsmarting him tactically
- Substitutes Carlos Espí and Endrick both scored after coming on at halftime and the 59th minute, with Mourinho admitting the changes were necessary after Roma's first-half intensity proved overwhelming
- Vinícius Júnior was substituted on 59 minutes after losing a ball Mourinho said he "shouldn't have lost" that directly led to Roma's second goal, and told reporters afterward that it was "natural to be angry"
- Roma fans held up three huge signs featuring Mourinho's image — one depicting him cradling the 2022 Conference League trophy — and unfurled a banner reading "Whoever brings glory to Rome, Rome will honor forever"
- Mourinho said he was left "speechless" by the reception at the Stadio Olimpico, where he led Roma to the Conference League title in 2022 and the Europa League final in 2023 before departing in January 2024
Why it matters: Mourinho's public admission that Gasperini outsmarted him is a rare concession from one of football's most combative managers. The win keeps Real Madrid at maximum points in the Champions League league phase, but subbing a visibly frustrated Vinícius Júnior — a star who has separately drawn a four-game ban sidelining him for the Clásico — exposes squad-management friction heading into a defining stretch.
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