Mourinho returns to Olimpico as Real Madrid coach to face Roma in Champions League

José Mourinho has issued a clear warning to clubs pursuing Endrick ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League fixture against Roma on Tuesday. The Real Madrid manager said: "Whoever wants to take him in January will have to go over me and fight me." Mourinho doubled down on his determination to keep the Brazilian forward, stating: "Endrick is not going anywhere, I adore him. He is very strong and will help us. Loans are not needed, Endrick will explode here at Madrid." The comments represent a significant setback for Roma, who have continued to monitor the 2006-born forward ahead of the January transfer window. The Giallorossi had come close to signing Endrick on loan during the summer before Mourinho intervened to retain him at the Bernabéu. Interest has resurfaced because of the limited playing time Endrick has received at the start of this season, prompting Roma and other European clubs to renew their pursuit. Mourinho's latest stance suggests he plans to block any departure attempt again, convinced he can revive Endrick's form directly at Madrid. When asked in a press conference today whether he might use his encounter with Mourinho to discuss Endrick, Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini smiled but deflected the question. Gasperini said: "Right now the January market is something that doesn't interest me." For Roma to realistically pursue Endrick in January, they will first need to persuade Real Madrid and overcome Mourinho's clear resistance to letting the player leave.

Aurélien Tchouaméni said Real Madrid respect Roma's quality ahead of their Champions League meeting at the Olimpico on 14 October at 21:00, the second fixture of the league phase. The French midfielder acknowledged the difficulty of playing away but expressed confidence in Madrid's ability to win. Roma qualified for the Champions League this season by finishing third in Serie A last year and will face Madrid in a high-profile early test of their continental campaign. Tchouaméni, speaking in his pre-match press conference, outlined both teams' form and approach to the fixture. Asked his assessment of Roma, Tchouaméni said: "I like very much how Roma play and I know that tomorrow the match will be difficult, also because we will play away from home. I think we have enough quality to win the match and that is what we will try to do." On Madrid's own campaign, he noted: "It's a really important match for us. We started well by beating Inter, now we want to continue to pick up points in this competition." When pressed on Madrid's midfield creativity, Tchouaméni declined to elaborate publicly: "I have my opinion on this, the rest is up to you. I won't say what I think, I think it's more important to talk about tomorrow's match. I'm only one of the players and I have my opinion which I won't share. I know what players we have in the squad and we give 100% with our characteristics. We all have different characteristics, the most important thing is to continue to work as a team." He also defended the squad against criticism, saying: "When you play for Real Madrid there are always criticisms, the most important thing is to stay focused and always try to improve as a squad. We can certainly do some things better, but we all know that the most important thing is what you win at the end of the season. And that is what we will try to do."

José Mourinho held a press conference on the eve of Roma's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, where he assessed his team's ambitions and their challenge against an unbeaten opponent this season. When asked about Roma's title prospects, Mourinho said: "I don't have to say it, but without doubt Roma and Inter are the strongest in the league. I see everything I could see of Inter and Roma: they are the strongest. I've prepared myself: I'm well, I'm solid, with no doubt that in the 90 minutes I'll give my all. Perhaps before or after my heart will be touched. The Roma fans want to win and so do I. In the game, love is forgotten." Mourinho framed the match as one of many in the league phase rather than a decisive moment, emphasising that both Roma and Real Madrid should qualify for the knockout stages. "There's no pressure from the Champions League, honestly I think Roma and Real Madrid will both qualify: perhaps later I'll play them again in a quarter-final. For me it's not normal before the match, but in the 90 minutes it is," he said. He noted that Roma faced two of Europe's strongest sides early in their campaign and must try to earn points against motivated opposition. When asked about his reception at Roma, Mourinho added: "I am myself, the club's interests, the fans' interests and the squad's interests are above mine. Many people appreciate it, and then if you do something good it's even better. We didn't win the Champions League, but we won a European cup and played in a second European final. I don't hide that Roma fans are special." Mourinho addressed criticism of his silence after Roma's earlier Villarreal fixture, saying: "I didn't want to comment. But you only have to watch what happened from the first minute against Villarreal to understand what happened. Whoever wants to know just has to watch from the first minute." On arbitration standards, he stated: "I trust all referees. The only thing that makes me angry is when the referee's name is known sometimes 24 hours before the match and other times three weeks before." When questioned about whether the initial goodwill toward him in Rome was fading, Mourinho was clear: "In Poland, information reaches you in a distorted way. What honeymoon? Everyone expects wins from me? I feel good before the match, I've slept as always. Today I won't sleep."