Real Madrid arrive in Rome; Mourinho names squad with four unavailable

Roma's match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico tomorrow will hold particular significance for José Mourinho, who received a warm reception from Giallorossi supporters outside the Blancos' hotel in the capital. The fixture carries emotional weight for the former Roma manager, who is being welcomed with affection by the club's fanbase despite now leading the visiting side. Gasperini commented on the occasion: "With Real we will understand our level, we must not change who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The coach framed the Champions League encounter as a benchmark for Roma's standing among Europe's elite. Donyell Malen was suspended for one match—siting out the fixture against Genoa—following a disciplinary decision by the Giudice Sportivo.

José Mourinho will face AS Roma for the first time since his sacking in January 2024 when Real Madrid visit the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday 14 October at 21:00 for the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. Mourinho, who led Roma to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022 and a Europa League final defeat in Budapest the following year, acknowledged the emotional weight of his return. "For ninety minutes we are opponents, but if they want to give me a special greeting I would also like to embrace the Roma fans," he said at his pre-match press conference. "Before the match it won't be normal, even arriving at the airport or at the stadium, in this press conference, walking down the corridor hasn't been normal. Never in the ninety minutes will it be." Mourinho framed Roma as one of Serie A's strongest teams alongside Inter Milan, whom Real Madrid beat in their opening Champions League fixture. "They are motivated to play Champions League at the Olimpico, in front of a crowd that does not just come to watch the match but to play," he explained. He stressed his ability to separate emotion from competition: "I will give everything. Before and after perhaps it will touch my heart, but during the match there is no room for doubt. The Roma fans will want to win and Real Madrid will want to win. In those moments you have to forget about emotions." Mourinho also responded to questions about his affection for Roma's supporters, saying he had won their trust by remaining himself and prioritizing the interests of the team and players above his own. "Roma fans are special; I have worked at many clubs but Roma fans are without doubt very special," he added. Real Madrid's sporting philosophy drew comparison when asked about Gian Piero Gasperini. Mourinho said: "If I manage to forget which stadium I am in, who I am playing against, and I am trying to prepare this match that way and I will do it during the game, I think it can be a contest like any other." He addressed squad rotation at right-back, noting he had felt the need to change position for Fede Valverde against Villarreal "without wasting a substitution," because a player of Valverde's quality could operate at multiple positions. On Vinícius Júnior's early-season form, Mourinho said: "It hurt my heart to see Vini in this situation. Every day he is happy, works hard, but so far he has not yet found the joy of being decisive this year. Let's see if in the Champions League, since he is suspended in the league, he can return to being the true Vini." Aurélien Tchouaméni told the press Real Madrid had started the Champions League well by beating Inter and were determined to continue collecting points. "I like how Roma play very much and I know that tomorrow's match will be difficult, also because we will play away from home," he said. "I think we have enough quality to win the match and that is what we will try to do." Tchouaméni declined to discuss contentious decisions in Real Madrid's weekend match against Villarreal, stating: "We are very frustrated because of these decisions, but the most important thing was winning that match. We think about moving forward."

A contact between Wesley and Diao during the Como-Roma match sparked debate, but referee Fabbri ruled no foul had occurred. Serie A published Ref Cam footage from the fixture on their Instagram profile, showing the official's explanation of the incident. In the video, Fabbri addresses the contact between Diao and Wesley, stating: "He does everything to avoid taking him, at most their legs touch. He also jumps." The footage provides insight into the reasoning behind the on-field decision that allowed play to continue without penalty.