Real overturn 3-1 deficit in Rome: Rüdiger heads 4-3 winner, Mourinho takes blame
On his return to Rome, Mourinho's Real Madrid trailed 3-1. Late goals from Espí, Endrick and Rüdiger turned it around. Vinícius was substituted and voiced his anger.
Archive image · Photo: ildirettore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Real Madrid came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at AS Roma in the Champions League. At the Stadio Olimpico, Marten de Roon (20') and a Donyell Malen brace (51', 57') put Gian Piero Gasperini's side ahead, with Kylian Mbappé having equalised in between (25'). In the space of seven minutes, Carlos Espí (83'), Endrick (85') and Antonio Rüdiger (90') turned the game around, the Germany defender heading in Arda Güler's cross.
It was José Mourinho's first return to his former club, and the Roma fans greeted him with chants and banners. Afterwards the Real coach took responsibility for a poor first half: "The first half was the coach's fault; the second half was the players' fault," he said, according to Goal. His substitutions around the hour mark – including Endrick, Güler and later Espí – sparked the comeback.
Vinícius Júnior was another talking point. Mourinho took him off in the 59th minute after a loss of possession led to Roma's second goal, and the Brazilian told reporters he was angry about the change. "Vini lost a ball he shouldn't have lost. But that's how it goes," Mourinho said, according to Goal. "It's natural for him not to be happy. Frustration is normal."