ROME — Real Madrid rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat AS Roma 4-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring three goals in a seven-minute stretch to secure maximum points in the league phase so far. Substitutes Carlos Espí and Endrick each scored before Antonio Rüdiger headed in a 90th-minute winner, with Arda Güler providing his second assist of the night.
Afterward, José Mourinho took the blame for his side’s struggles in the first half, saying 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, then added Espí and Bernardo Silva as Madrid searched for a way back into the match. Vinícius told reporters he had not understood the switch, saying 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.”
He continued: “It’s natural for him not to be happy. Frustration is normal. But after the match, he was very happy about the win.”
A Hero’s Welcome in Rome
Mourinho received a warm reception at Stadio Olimpico, the home of one of his former clubs. Before kickoff, the crowd applauded loudly when the stadium announcer read out the teams and Mourinho’s name. Early in the first half, Roma’s hard-core “ultra” fans, seated at one end of the stadium, unveiled three huge signs featuring images of him. One depicted Mourinho cradling the Conference League trophy that Roma won in 2022, 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.