Mourinho on returning to the Olimpico as Real Madrid boss: 'Roma will always be my home'

José Mourinho will return to the Stadio Olimpico in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the Portuguese manager reflected on his time with the Giallorossi and the relationship that made his departure painful despite the success he achieved. Mourinho won the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma and reached the Europa League final, which was lost only on penalties following what he described as a series of refereeing errors. Mourinho's connection with Roma's supporters remains unmatched among his former clubs. "I have a very special relationship with practically all my former clubs, or almost all," he said. "I've always exited well from situations, even when I was sacked. I've never said a negative word. You know how much my exit from Roma hurt me, but there doesn't exist a word from me against the club or the ownership. When I leave, I leave clean." He acknowledged that the bond with Roma fans was extraordinary—comparable only to that enjoyed by Nils Liedholm—and credited their understanding that his sole focus was the club's interests rather than politics or media relations. "They understood that I didn't care about my image or relationships I could have with Italian football politics, the press or the ownership. I only cared about Roma and the Romanisti. I fought for them, I gave everything." Mourinho spoke at length about the aftermath of the Europa League final in Budapest and the UEFA sanctions that followed, which he said damaged his relationship with Roma's ownership. "After the final I go on holiday and when I return I'm already dead because of what the Uefa made me pay," he said. "What happened with Taylor at the airport is not my responsibility—it's the insults in the garage and I had to pay only for that. And I paid for this in the relationship with Roma's ownership since they had a different approach. By that moment I was already out." On Roma's legendary players, Mourinho was clear: "Francesco must not be touched. I will always be behind him. Roma has a beautiful history with legendary players, I think also of Bruno Conti whom I love." Ahead of the match, Mourinho said he expects only respect from the Olimpico crowd. "I still haven't begun to prepare for that match, neither as a coach nor as an ex returning home. I haven't yet thought about this. I must defend myself and prepare to do my job well and to do it I must try to forget where I am and who I'm playing against," he explained. "At Roma it's never happened to me, and I must say it will be different. I'll drive the road that leads to the Olimpico as an opponent. It will be the first time I go there without the passion of the Romanisti fans. And I'll have to prepare my players for this."

Italy Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini has credited playing time at club level as the foundation for young players' development into the senior national team, citing Niccolò Pisilli as a prime example. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Baldini reflected on Pisilli's trajectory: "I think of Pisilli at the start of last year, when he wasn't playing at Roma. Then he was used and arrived in the senior national team. If these boys don't play, they don't progress. Talent must not be imprisoned by tactics." Pisilli, a Roma academy product, has emerged as a key figure in Baldini's Under-21 squad. The coach praised the overall quality of his group, asserting that many are ready for the step up to senior football. Baldini stated: "Eleven or 12 of them are absolutely ready for the senior national team, all it takes is selection. I don't choose—for me they're like my own children."

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken about Roma's title aspirations and his reflections on his time at Atalanta, giving an interview to Corriere della Sera from his wine business in Grugliasco. The Roma head coach emphasised the importance of collective spirit over individual talent, saying: "It is my way of seeing football. But numbers count only to a certain point. The fundamental aspect is playing as a team: believing in collective work, in which attackers defend and defenders attack. Let's tell the truth: in football, as in wine, nothing is invented. It is team spirit that creates the difference. Application and selflessness are needed." Gasperini reflected on difficult moments in his career, including his dismissal from Inter, but credited Atalanta with giving him continued backing when results were not coming. He spoke of his deep attachment to Bergamo: "Bergamo was the longest and most intense stage of my existence as a wanderer in football. I have no regrets, but I feel a profound nostalgia for a community where I had integrated perfectly. That is why I often return there. I miss everything about Bergamo." He also noted he has not sold his home in the city, leaving the door open to a potential return. On Roma's objectives, Gasperini stated: "Our plan was to reach the top in three years. We would not mind bringing the Scudetto forward. But we are aware that the road is long. In football there are no straight roads or clear paths. There will be ups and downs. If we can manage them, who knows..." He also remarked humorously on the adjustment to Rome's food culture, saying: "The biggest problem is its cuisine. I have to be careful with carbonaras, I am getting too fat."