Roma dominate for an hour before Mourinho's substitutions overturn the match at the Olimpico

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.

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Roma 3–4 at the Olimpico on 15 October, with Antonio Rüdiger scoring the winning goal. Roma delivered a dominant performance and matched one of Europe's strongest sides, but Real Madrid proved specialists in comebacks. Rüdiger did not celebrate after scoring and apologized to the Curva Sud. After the match, Rüdiger posted on social media: "A match full of emotions for me. Many things to improve, but an important away victory for us. AS Roma will always have a special place in my heart and in my journey." The former Roma defender's tribute underscored his affection for the club where he previously played, despite the painful nature of his goal that sealed the Spanish side's comeback win.

José Mourinho and Gian Piero Gasperini exchanged barbs following Roma's loss to Real Madrid, reviving a rivalry that has simmered for years despite their mutual professional respect. After the match, Mourinho blamed Roma's collapse on a decline in Gasperini's team, saying "Roma was dead", while Gasperini shot back: "We could have scored more goals against them, we outclassed them." The tension reflects a relationship that has never been harmonious, even though the two men acknowledge each other's quality. The friction traces back to 2008, when Mourinho managed Inter against Gasperini's Genoa and declared him "the most difficult manager I've ever faced. He changed formation five times and always had an answer." That respect remains, but it is now buried beneath years of pointed remarks exchanged at a distance. The two smile and trade jabs, their outlook on football fundamentally at odds. Roma spent years under Mourinho's stewardship, inheriting his character and winning mentality; under Gasperini, the club has taken on a different identity. Supporters remain attached to both men, though for different reasons. Both share one driving force: the desire to win. Mourinho delivered, leaving behind a European trophy in Roma's cabinet. Gasperini will have his chance to build his own legacy, though he appears determined to do so on his own terms, without imitating his predecessor. The Roma manager has himself noted in a press conference that the club's Champions League qualification is an enormous achievement—Roma had not reached the competition for seven years, not even under Mourinho. That comment may well have been another indirect jab. The sting was sharpened when Real Madrid snatched victory at the 90th minute through a former Roma player, a cruel twist that handed Mourinho a perfect finale to their latest exchange. Gasperini is not content to leave matters there; the defeat stings, but his project continues.

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 received a standing ovation at the Olimpico on 14 October, and the gesture marked a formal end to tension between him and Lorenzo Pellegrini. The two had parted on poor terms in January 2024 when Mourinho was dismissed as Roma head coach. A rift had formed over a Conference League ring that Mourinho left in Pellegrini's dressing room, accompanied by a message with polemical undertones; Mourinho felt he had not received enough support from the captain. Pellegrini was hurt by the gesture and would have preferred a direct conversation. The pair later reconciled, with Pellegrini explaining their relationship had always been wonderful, yet their greeting outside the stadium on 14 October proved the hurt had finally healed. When Mourinho was in charge at Roma, he spoke highly of Pellegrini. The captain has remained a central figure at the club, and any lingering friction with a beloved former manager threatened to overshadow that legacy. Mourinho's dismissal came as an enormous shock to those close to him, but the reunion demonstrated his warmth toward the players he had led. Gianluca Mancini also encountered Mourinho on the evening, and the two embraced. Mancini had previously recalled a cold meeting on the day of Mourinho's dismissal, yet they parted on much better terms than Mourinho and Pellegrini had. Outside the Olimpico, conversation and smiles between Mourinho and Pellegrini closed a chapter that had already been filed away. The ring, in the end, is ancient history.

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.

Roma lost 3-4 to Real Madrid in a Champions League match at the Olimpico, despite delivering what the article describes as an impressive performance with high tempo, quality and dominance for over 80 minutes. Wesley was among Roma's standout performers, putting in a display that caught the attention of Real Madrid manager José Mourinho. After the match, Mourinho spoke to TNT Sports and offered public praise for the Brazilian defender. "I knew already that he was strong, but seeing him up close was the first time," Mourinho said, highlighting Wesley's impact during the fixture.

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.

Roma squandered a dominant 82-minute display against Real Madrid at the Olimpico to suffer a heavy defeat in the Champions League. After controlling the match with high-quality football and commanding Real Madrid for the opening phase, Roma's discipline collapsed in the final eight minutes as three goals — all conceded from corner kicks — left the Stadio Olimpico in despair. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini received a rating of 6.5 across the Italian press for his tactical setup, but his side's defensive frailties in set pieces proved fatal. The match saw several substitutions: Manu Koné was withdrawn after just 16 minutes for Niccolò Pisilli, while Gianluca Mancini departed at the 63-minute mark for Leonardo Balerdi. Daniele Ghilardi and Nahuel Molina both entered late in the contest. Among the five major Italian outlets' player ratings, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's standout performer, earning marks of 7.5 to 8 across the press box. Pierluigi Gollini and Balerdi drew the harshest assessments, with ratings ranging from 4.5 to 6 for the goalkeeper and 5 to 6 for the defender. Wesley drew consistent praise for a solid defensive showing, rated 6.5 to 7.5, while Matías Soulé and Evan N'Dicka also featured prominently in the squad across the 90 minutes.

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.

Roma squandered a dominant 82-minute display against Real Madrid at the Olimpico to suffer a heavy defeat in the Champions League. After controlling the match with high-quality football and commanding Real Madrid for the opening phase, Roma's discipline collapsed in the final eight minutes as three goals — all conceded from corner kicks — left the Stadio Olimpico in despair. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini received a rating of 6.5 across the Italian press for his tactical setup, but his side's defensive frailties in set pieces proved fatal. The match saw several substitutions: Manu Koné was withdrawn after just 16 minutes for Niccolò Pisilli, while Gianluca Mancini departed at the 63-minute mark for Leonardo Balerdi. Daniele Ghilardi and Nahuel Molina both entered late in the contest. Among the five major Italian outlets' player ratings, Donyell Malen emerged as Roma's standout performer, earning marks of 7.5 to 8 across the press box. Pierluigi Gollini and Balerdi drew the harshest assessments, with ratings ranging from 4.5 to 6 for the goalkeeper and 5 to 6 for the defender. Wesley drew consistent praise for a solid defensive showing, rated 6.5 to 7.5, while Matías Soulé and Evan N'Dicka also featured prominently in the squad across the 90 minutes.

Radio commentators analysed Roma's 2–3 defeat to Real Madrid, with debate centring on whether to focus on the loss or the quality of the performance that preceded it. Carina on Radio Radio said: "It is difficult to explain Roma's collapse. Roma played a spectacular match, dominated, but matches last until the 90th minute and beyond. There were certainly individual errors: on Endrick's goal there is a marking error by Balerdi, on Rüdiger's by Molina. But it would be unfair to blame them entirely: it was a general collapse. Then Madrid put on the pitch players who, at Roma, would play with the captain's armband." He added: "I fear Koné will be out for three or four weeks, and Dybala is a question mark: it is a bad injury. Gasperini must certainly look at the final eight minutes, but he must make the 82 previous minutes count, because they played an extraordinary match." Pruzzo on Radio Radio observed that the squad has "a starting rhythm that is too high to maintain for the whole match" and noted the defensive control shown before the late collapse. Orsi argued the loss came "from a lack of ability to hold on" rather than poor play by Roma: "Real scored on a corner kick. It was Roma's demerit." Mattiolo called it "a remediable defeat that teaches you something." Pedrelli on Radio Bruno 101.5 took a longer view: "I do not look at the result, but the performance. A great match by Roma despite the many absences, against one of the strongest teams in the world. It is not far to a real great leap. Gasperini is the manager I wanted." Ferri on the same station argued that supporters must "have the clarity needed to realise how much good was done in the face of Real Madrid, a squad that should have won far more easily." Verdenelli added: "I know it is not simple, I know it hurts and the stomach burns, but you must believe in the path. Roma is there, Roma is strong and proved it." Carina noted absences for Roma's next fixture, against Genoa: Svilar, Cristante, Koné, Dybala and Malen will all be absent.