After the 4-3 Roma Win, Mourinho Reveals What Angered Him About Real Madrid’s Performance
Real Madrid’s remarkable comeback against Roma did not give José Mourinho the satisfaction he might have expected after an entertaining European victory. While the team celebrated turning the game around in the closing stages, the Portuguese coach had a very different message about what had happened on the pitch. Despite the final result going in Madrid’s favour, one defensive moment remained a major source of frustration after the final whistle.
The surprising part was that Mourinho’s concern was not about losing the match or dropping points, but about how Real Madrid had allowed their opponents to threaten their goal. The coach felt compelled to speak frankly about an error he considered unacceptable for a team competing at the highest level, turning a night of celebration into an opportunity to address problems before they resurfaced in future fixtures.
Mourinho made his comments after Real Madrid defeated Roma 4-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Stadio Olimpico in the Italian capital. The Spanish side had been trailing 3-1 until the closing stages before mounting a remarkable comeback to secure a valuable away victory.
According to a report by Get Spanish Football News, Mourinho made no secret of his frustration with his team’s collective defensive performance, despite the significance of their comeback. The Portuguese manager focused on the third goal Real Madrid conceded, when Donyell Malen managed to break through the defence and get into a dangerous position with relative ease during the second half.
Speaking after the match, Mourinho said: “The third goal we conceded was ridiculous. We cannot concede a goal like this at this level.”
The manager’s comments made it clear that the victory alone was not enough to erase the mistakes that had surfaced during the game. Although Real Madrid managed to turn the scoreline around with three late goals from set pieces, they had also allowed Roma to create dangerous opportunities through defensive weaknesses that angered their coach.
Roma had made life difficult for Real Madrid by establishing a two-goal advantage in the second half. The Spanish side appeared to be facing a difficult task before changing the course of the match in the closing minutes, capitalising on set pieces and continuing to push until the final stages.
Although the result earned Real Madrid three important points in their European campaign, Mourinho’s comments carried a clear warning about the need to improve defensively. Mistakes that go unpunished in one match can prove decisive against an opponent better equipped to exploit space and scoring opportunities.
The criticism also reflected Mourinho’s approach to high-pressure matches. He refused to let the excitement of the comeback overshadow the problems that had emerged during the contest. Rather than simply praising his players’ fighting spirit, he chose to highlight a moment he considered unacceptable for a club of Real Madrid’s stature.
Real Madrid therefore left the Italian capital with a thrilling victory, but also with a clear message from their manager: the ability to come from behind does not mean the performance was flawless. The team’s next challenge will be to maintain the attacking effectiveness that secured the win while addressing the defensive errors that nearly cost them the result.
🚨 José Mourinho: “The 3rd goal we conceded was ridiculous”.
“We cannot concede a goal like this at this level”. https://t.co/ygak28TWKJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 14, 2026
