Jose Mourinho Takes Blame for Real Madrid's First Half Before 4-3 Comeback

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Jose Mourinho took responsibility for Real Madrid’s first half at Roma, where his side fell 3-1 behind before winning 4-3 in the Champions League.
Mourinho said Vinicius Junior “lost a ball he shouldn’t have lost” before the forward was substituted in the 59th minute and admitted he was angry.
Endrick, a substitute, and Carlos Espi scored, and Antonio Rudiger added the winner, with Arda Guler delivering the set pieces.

Vinicius Junior Left the Pitch Angry, and Mourinho Says That Is Normal

Jose Mourinho returned to the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday and saw his Real Madrid side come from 3-1 down to beat Roma 4-3. Afterwards he pointed at himself first. “The first half was the coach’s fault; the second half was the players’ fault,” he told reporters.

Mourinho left Roma in January 2024. The club is now managed by Gian Piero Gasperini.

Roma led through a Marten de Roon opener and a Donyell Malen double. Kylian Mbappe scored on his 100th Champions League appearance, but Madrid still trailed 3-1 before the comeback.

The substitutions that turned it

Madrid made their changes near the hour mark. Guler and Endrick were the first two substitutes, and Bernardo Silva also came on.

The late goals followed. Guler delivered a series of set pieces, and goals from Espi, Endrick and Rudiger followed. Rudiger, who once played for Roma, scored the winner. Endrick was named player of the match.

It was Madrid’s second win of the Champions League league phase.

Vinicius Junior and the 59th minute

Vinicius was substituted in the 59th minute after an error that led to Roma’s second goal. He admitted to reporters that he was angry.

Mourinho said it was tough for the forward but that the frustration is normal. “Vini lost a ball he shouldn’t have lost,” Mourinho said. “I make mistakes, too.”

Mourinho added that Vinicius was happy after the win. The forward will miss El Clasico after his red card for pulling an opponent’s hair, a decision after which Mourinho refused to face the press.

Credit for Roma and a reception in Rome

Mourinho praised Roma as a strong side and said it was “impossible to play at that intensity” for a full 90 minutes. His own substitutions, he said, were the ones he felt were needed, and Roma had punished Madrid in the first half.

The Roma fans gave him a reception that left him “speechless”. The supporters held banners that referred to his 2022 Conference League win with the club.

Madrid return to LaLiga on 18 October against Sevilla. Roma face Genoa in Serie A on 17 October.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.