Jose Mourinho Accepts Responsibility for Real Madrid's Early Struggles Before Late Surge Secures Victory at Roma
Mourinho Admits Tactical Missteps Ahead of Dramatic Real Madrid Comeback
Jose Mourinho returned to the Stadio Olimpico and witnessed a thrilling night as Real Madrid overturned a 3-1 deficit to claim a 4-3 win over Roma in the Champions League. The Portuguese coach acknowledged that his initial tactics were flawed during much of the match, but his substitutions triggered an intense seven-minute rally that changed the outcome.
Subs Spark Rapid Turnaround
Trailing by two goals against a tough Roma side led by Gian Piero Gasperini, it looked like Madrid were heading toward defeat. Yet, starting around the 60th minute, Mourinho brought on fresh legs: Endrick and Arda Guler first, then Carlos Espi and Bernardo Silva later. Those changes injected new energy into the team immediately.
- Endrick: Scored to start the comeback.
- Carlos Espi: Also found the net, erasing Roma’s lead.
- Antonio Rudiger: Former Roma defender who sealed the win with a 90th-minute header from Guler’s assist.
Mourinho Takes the Blame
“The first half was the coach’s fault; the second half was the players’ fault,” Mourinho told reporters. “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 for a full 90 minutes. I made the substitutions I thought were necessary. But in the first half, they really punished us.”
A Warm Reception in Rome
The evening also featured an emotional reunion between Mourinho and the Roma fans. Despite leaving the club in January 2024, the crowd gave him a long ovation. Ultras displayed large banners celebrating his 2022 Conference League triumph with one reading: “Whoever brings glory to Rome, Rome will honour forever.” Mourinho admitted he was left speechless by the tribute.
Tensions Over Vinicius Jr.
The match saw some brief strain involving Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr., who expressed frustration after being taken off in the 59th minute following a mistake that led to Roma’s second goal.
“It was tough for Vini,” Mourinho said. “Vini lost a ball he shouldn’t have lost. But that’s how it goes. I make mistakes too. It’s natural for him not to be happy. Frustration is normal. But after the match, he was very happy about the win.”
Real Madrid’s Momentum and Upcoming Challenges
This late European escape keeps Real Madrid well-positioned in the Champions League, highlighting their deep squad strength where the bench made all the difference when starters struggled. Mourinho will now aim to manage his star players carefully, making sure their frustrations stay positive as the team faces demanding schedules both domestically and in Europe.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Roma vs Genoa (Serie A) – 17 Oct 2026, 21:45
- Real Madrid vs Sevilla (LaLiga) – 18 Oct 2026, 22:00
