Mourinho and Pellegrini bury the past after Olimpico reunion

Real Madrid won 4-3 against Roma on 14 October in a match that carried special significance for José Mourinho, who returned to Stadio Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since his spell in charge of the club. Roma supporters demonstrated their affection for the former manager with dedicated banners honouring him throughout an intense encounter. After the final whistle, Mourinho greeted three Roma players — Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala — in conversation in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches.

José Mourinho encountered three of his former Roma players after the 3–4 draw between Roma and Real Madrid on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala spoke with Mourinho in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches at the end of a particularly significant evening for the Special One, who returned to the capital as an opponent. The meeting underscored the enduring connection between Mourinho and the club he managed during his time in Rome. The encounter took place in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic fixture that delivered plenty for both sides to reflect on. In the ratings published by five daily newspapers covering the match, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's highest-rated performer with an average of 7.60. Matías Soulé followed with 7.10 and Wesley with 7.00, while Marten de Roon closed at 6.80. Leonardo Balerdi received the lowest average rating at 5.10. Among the starting players, Nahuel Molina posted the lowest average mark at 5.20, followed by Mario Hermoso at 5.30 and Pierluigi Gollini at 5.50.

José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico became an evening thick with emotion, his 90 minutes as an opposing coach doing nothing to diminish a bond that remains visceral and unbreakable. The Portuguese manager could not contain his composure as he stepped back into the stadium where he won, suffered and left his mark for two and a half years. The welcome was pure: unconditional love, gratitude and a series of tributes that proved the Roma faithful have never forgotten him. Banners appeared in the Tribuna Tevere from the opening moments, and the crowd erupted when Mourinho's name was read out before kick-off. The Curva Sud opened with a splendid choreography carrying the motto "AS Roma sine metu" — without fear — before unfurling the tribute the Special One had earned. Minutes after the whistle, the Curva unrolled banners filled with history and affection, adorned with iconic images of the manager and memories of the Conference League triumph. Faced with such passion, Mourinho could not remain unmoved: he blew kisses, waved to the Curva, and his glistening eyes said everything. Once again, it was clear that the bond linking José to Roma will never be severed.

Real Madrid won 4-3 against Roma on 14 October in a match that carried special significance for José Mourinho, who returned to Stadio Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since his spell in charge of the club. Roma supporters demonstrated their affection for the former manager with dedicated banners honouring him throughout an intense encounter. After the final whistle, Mourinho greeted three Roma players — Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala — in conversation in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches.

Roma hosted Real Madrid in a Champions League fixture at the Olimpico featuring a tactical contest that saw the giallorossi control the game for the opening hour before succumbing to late changes by José Mourinho. Gasperini deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation with Matías Soulé replacing Lorenzo Pellegrini, Wesley at right-back and Nahuel Molina on the left, while Madrid operated in a 4-2-3-1. Roma's intensity and two-touch football allowed them to dominate territorially and recover possession effectively through midfield pressure from Manu Koné and Marten de Roon. The giallorossi created multiple chances with striking ease and took a deserved lead through a goal that emerged from Paulo Dybala's sliding recovery challenge, exemplifying their determination throughout the opening period. Real Madrid's defensive structure was described as poor, with Kylian Mbappé creating danger through quick transitions despite the hosts' superior control. Roma doubled their advantage early in the second half when Rodrigo Mora set up Donyell Malen for a second goal, with Koné again instrumental in winning the ball in midfield. The lead lasted only briefly, however, before Real Madrid equalised—Mario Hermoso's poor clearance in a duel allowing Mbappé to punish the error. Koné departed injured and was replaced by Niccolò Pisilli, while Dybala also left the pitch injured. Despite these setbacks, Roma extended their lead to 2–0 approaching the hour mark, appearing to have secured a prestigious victory. The tactical balance rested on Roma's compact midfield aggression and Madrid's reliance on immediate transition and direct passes to their pacy attackers Vinícius and another forward. Mourinho responded with aggressive substitutions, introducing Eder Endrich and Arda Guler for Dumfries and an ineffective Vinícius, shifting Valverde to right-back, and later bringing in Jude Bellingham—referred to in the text as Silva—for Aurélien Tchouaméni, followed by Alejandro Balde and Carlos Espiñeira for Álvaro Cucurella and Maba Diomande. Fresh Roma changes saw Pellegrini replace Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi come on for the cautioned Gianluca Mancini. Madrid pressed relentlessly as Roma struggled to maintain defensive solidity, eventually conceding three times from set pieces near the corner flag—described as an "incredible" and "bewitched" match that delivered Mourinho's side a dramatic late victory. Both managers acknowledged the match featured two distinct contests in one fixture, with the stronger side emerging victorious at the final whistle despite Roma's earlier dominance. Koné and Dybala's injuries marked a significant cost to Roma's effort on the evening.

José Mourinho encountered three of his former Roma players after the 3–4 draw between Roma and Real Madrid on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala spoke with Mourinho in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches at the end of a particularly significant evening for the Special One, who returned to the capital as an opponent. The meeting underscored the enduring connection between Mourinho and the club he managed during his time in Rome. The encounter took place in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic fixture that delivered plenty for both sides to reflect on. In the ratings published by five daily newspapers covering the match, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's highest-rated performer with an average of 7.60. Matías Soulé followed with 7.10 and Wesley with 7.00, while Marten de Roon closed at 6.80. Leonardo Balerdi received the lowest average rating at 5.10. Among the starting players, Nahuel Molina posted the lowest average mark at 5.20, followed by Mario Hermoso at 5.30 and Pierluigi Gollini at 5.50.

Real Madrid won 4-3 against Roma on 14 October in a match that carried special significance for José Mourinho, who returned to Stadio Olimpico as an opponent for the first time since his spell in charge of the club. Roma supporters demonstrated their affection for the former manager with dedicated banners honouring him throughout an intense encounter. After the final whistle, Mourinho greeted three Roma players — Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala — in conversation in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches.

Roma hosted Real Madrid in a Champions League fixture at the Olimpico featuring a tactical contest that saw the giallorossi control the game for the opening hour before succumbing to late changes by José Mourinho. Gasperini deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation with Matías Soulé replacing Lorenzo Pellegrini, Wesley at right-back and Nahuel Molina on the left, while Madrid operated in a 4-2-3-1. Roma's intensity and two-touch football allowed them to dominate territorially and recover possession effectively through midfield pressure from Manu Koné and Marten de Roon. The giallorossi created multiple chances with striking ease and took a deserved lead through a goal that emerged from Paulo Dybala's sliding recovery challenge, exemplifying their determination throughout the opening period. Real Madrid's defensive structure was described as poor, with Kylian Mbappé creating danger through quick transitions despite the hosts' superior control. Roma doubled their advantage early in the second half when Rodrigo Mora set up Donyell Malen for a second goal, with Koné again instrumental in winning the ball in midfield. The lead lasted only briefly, however, before Real Madrid equalised—Mario Hermoso's poor clearance in a duel allowing Mbappé to punish the error. Koné departed injured and was replaced by Niccolò Pisilli, while Dybala also left the pitch injured. Despite these setbacks, Roma extended their lead to 2–0 approaching the hour mark, appearing to have secured a prestigious victory. The tactical balance rested on Roma's compact midfield aggression and Madrid's reliance on immediate transition and direct passes to their pacy attackers Vinícius and another forward. Mourinho responded with aggressive substitutions, introducing Eder Endrich and Arda Guler for Dumfries and an ineffective Vinícius, shifting Valverde to right-back, and later bringing in Jude Bellingham—referred to in the text as Silva—for Aurélien Tchouaméni, followed by Alejandro Balde and Carlos Espiñeira for Álvaro Cucurella and Maba Diomande. Fresh Roma changes saw Pellegrini replace Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi come on for the cautioned Gianluca Mancini. Madrid pressed relentlessly as Roma struggled to maintain defensive solidity, eventually conceding three times from set pieces near the corner flag—described as an "incredible" and "bewitched" match that delivered Mourinho's side a dramatic late victory. Both managers acknowledged the match featured two distinct contests in one fixture, with the stronger side emerging victorious at the final whistle despite Roma's earlier dominance. Koné and Dybala's injuries marked a significant cost to Roma's effort on the evening.

José Mourinho encountered three of his former Roma players after the 3–4 draw between Roma and Real Madrid on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala spoke with Mourinho in the plaza outside Stadio Olimpico near the team coaches at the end of a particularly significant evening for the Special One, who returned to the capital as an opponent. The meeting underscored the enduring connection between Mourinho and the club he managed during his time in Rome. The encounter took place in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic fixture that delivered plenty for both sides to reflect on. In the ratings published by five daily newspapers covering the match, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's highest-rated performer with an average of 7.60. Matías Soulé followed with 7.10 and Wesley with 7.00, while Marten de Roon closed at 6.80. Leonardo Balerdi received the lowest average rating at 5.10. Among the starting players, Nahuel Molina posted the lowest average mark at 5.20, followed by Mario Hermoso at 5.30 and Pierluigi Gollini at 5.50.