Real Madrid is preparing to face Roma in the Champions League match which will take place tomorrow at 9pm at the Stadio Olimpico. José Mourinho, who will return to talk about this match as an opponent for the first time, announced his presence at the press conference at 6pm, accompanied by midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. The match, which represents the second day of the championship in the group stage, was the subject of careful analysis by the Portuguese coach, who reiterated the importance of an excellent performance to win against a team of great value.
Mourinho underlined that the first two days of the group stage saw the victory of the two strongest teams: Inter in the first and Roma in the second. “We need to play very well,” he said, highlighting Roma's motivation, which returns to the Champions League with the support of its fans. He also stated that he did not yet have any information on any incoming or outgoing transfers, but reiterated that the pressure will come from the team itself. Regarding Saturday's match, Mourinho chose not to comment, inviting fans to watch the first minute of the match against Villarreal and then discuss the result.
During the conference, the coach expressed confidence in the European judges, but expressed some concern about the communication on the referee's name, which is often revealed in advance. He said he always has a good feeling of confidence and hope that everything will go smoothly. In response to questions about the pressure players may feel, Mourinho suggested that communication in Spain tends to be more indirect, while the Italian press is more interested in the details of tomorrow's match.
When speaking about Roma and Inter, Mourinho expressed his belief that both teams are the strongest in the championship. He stated that he is well prepared, solid and ready to give his all in the 90 minutes. He also referred to the Roma supporters, describing them as special people who want to win and who have received special treatment. The coach also mentioned Valverde's position, underlining the good work done by Real Madrid against Villarreal and the need for offensive substitutions.
Finally, Mourinho asked the crowd not to expect excessive pressure before the match, but reiterated that the competition will be intense over the 90 minutes. He closed the conference with an invitation to watch the match and hope that both teams, Real Madrid and Roma, qualify for the next stages, with the prospect of a possible meeting in a quartet of finals. Tomorrow, therefore, fans will be able to witness a high-level clash between two clubs with great European ambitions.