On May 4, 2021, José Mourinho was officially appointed as Roma manager, and 987 days later he finds himself back at the Stadio Olimpico, this time as an opponent. The evening of November 4th, at 9pm, represented Roma's home debut in the Champions League and a return of great value for the Portuguese coach, who led Real Madrid in a series of European successes. The match, broadcast live on Corriere dello Sport, attracted the attention of fans and media, with particular interest in the presence of Endrick, a young Brazilian who is currently being observed by Los Blancos and who could become a point of reference for Roma.
Real Madrid, after defeating Inter 2-1 at the Bernabéu in its first home match, is preparing to challenge another Italian team. Madrid coach José Mourinho has already expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to meet Roma and underlined the importance of maintaining concentration, despite the pressure of facing such a well-known opponent. On the other hand, Roma's coach, José Luis Gáspere, announced the probable formations: 3-4-2-1 with Gollini in goal, defenders Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso, midfielders Molina, de Roon, Koné and Wesley, and attackers Dybala and Soulé, with Malen in the forward role.
On the pitch, Real Madrid opted for a 4-2-3-1, with Courtois in goal, Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen and Cucurella in defence, Valverde and Tchouameni in midfield, and Guler, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr in attack, with Mbappé as striker. The Spanish team tried to take advantage of its experience and the depth of the department, while Roma focused on a more dynamic game and a compact defense. The match was characterized by moments of great intensity, with both teams trying to impose their own style of play.
Among the curiosities of the evening, the presence of Totti, former Roma captain, was welcomed with great warmth by the public. Coach Gáspere thanked the club for inviting the legendary player, underlining the importance of celebrating the team's history. Furthermore, Mourinho's phrase "an old friend of mine" made the rounds on social media, reminding fans of the historic bond between the manager and Roma.
With the match concluded, Roma achieved a significant result in the Champions League, while Real Madrid continued to demonstrate their competitive level. The match left multiple prospects open for both teams, with Roma being able to count on a new strong point in Endrick and Real Madrid having to reflect on their attacking strategies. The next step for both teams will be to consolidate their lineups and prepare for the next European challenges.