Gasperini sidesteps question on Endrick transfer talk with Mourinho

José Mourinho spoke to Sky Sport on the eve of Roma's Champions League match against Real Madrid, reflecting on his return to the Stadio Olimpico as an opposing coach. Mourinho said he would prefer to arrive as an adversary, with Roma fans supporting their own team and him supporting Real Madrid during the 90 minutes, but acknowledged there is no animosity between them. "If before the match the people want to give me a special greeting, I would also like to greet the Roma fans," he said. Mourinho noted there was no farewell when he left Roma, describing it as part of football's nature. "What can we do? It's football, this is an opportunity to feel the love of the people. I'll try to control myself, but maybe I won't be able to. In the end, in those ninety minutes, everyone wants to win," he added. When asked if he envies Gasperini's transfer market activity, Mourinho replied: "No, I don't envy anyone. I respect. An important coach in Italian football who does important work." On Roma's tactical approach, Mourinho said: "We are prepared for the basic principles with which Roma have played all their matches. They can also do something different. They know that those in white shirts are not an easy team; we are also prepared to be able to react to something different." Regarding Real Madrid's Vinícius, Mourinho reflected: "When I said the other day, I don't know if you heard, that it hurt my heart to see him in this situation, it's because every day he is a happy boy who works hard but hasn't found the joy of being decisive."

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has praised José Mourinho's ability to secure investment for his clubs ahead of tomorrow's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, where Mourinho currently manages. Gasperini said Mourinho "is excellent at getting his clubs to spend a lot. He deserves recognition from people" for his work in that regard. The comments came on the eve of Roma's European match against the Spanish side.

Gian Piero Gasperini and José Mourinho have begun their pre-match exchanges ahead of tomorrow's fixture, with the Roma head coach delivering a pointed jab at his counterpart during a press conference. When asked which quality he would steal from Mourinho, Gasperini responded with irony: "I would steal his empathy and his ability to get himself buy extraordinary players by making his clubs spend significant sums. In that he is fantastic." The comment came as Gasperini acknowledged Mourinho's impending return to face his former club, saying he merits recognition from the crowd: "He deserves the acknowledgement of the people. Then though the match will start and feelings will be set aside." The two coaches represent profoundly different tactical philosophies, a contrast evident in how Roma has evolved over recent seasons. Despite their divergent approaches, Gasperini closed the distance between them with praise, stating: "José is judged by his results." The verbal sparring underscores the intensity building ahead of the encounter, where sentiment will give way entirely to competition on the pitch.