José Mourinho believes that his return to Roma will be business as usual when his Real Madrid side faces off against Il Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico, despite all the pre-match duties bringing back many memories for the Portuguese manager.

Mourinho's Roma legacy

Roma won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022 with Mourinho in charge, which was their second European trophy and the first since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup win in 1961.

In the following season, he led I Giallorossi to the Europa League Final, where they were beaten on penalties by Sevilla. He was sacked by the club in January 2024.

"Just another match"

Speaking after returning to Rome for the first time since being sacked, Mourinho admitted that this game between both sides was not one that showed the real pressure of the UEFA Champions League.

It's a match, another match. For me, I don’t know if it’s just another match, 180 Champions League matches? I don’t know, 170 or 180, something like that, but it is another match.

“If I can forget where I am, if I can forget which stadium I’m in and who I’m playing against, then for me it will be just another match. That is what I’m trying to do during the preparation, and that is what I’ll do throughout the game.

“As I said earlier, I don’t think we have yet felt the real pressure of the Champions League in this phase of the competition. Looking at the matches still to come, I think Real Madrid and Roma will ultimately qualify.

“Perhaps I’ll come back for the quarter-finals or the semi-finals, for one of those bigger matches.

“Before this game, the experience is not normal. Arriving at the airport, making the journey here and walking through the corridor, none of that feels normal. The 90 minutes, however, will be normal.”

Praise for Roma and Inter

Mourinho also lauded Roma as the best team in Serie A, alongside his other former Italian club Inter.

Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have begun the season undefeated with 14 points after six games, though they did draw 1-1 away at Fenerbahçe in their first Champions League game of the season.

“I would say that I’ve always watched Inter and Roma. I’ve watched all their matches that I could, and without a doubt, they are the two strongest teams in the league.

“As for my return, as I said, I’ve prepared myself. I think I’m fine, balanced and solid; there is absolutely no doubt that during the match I will give everything.

“Perhaps before or after the game, I might feel something in my heart. But during the match, there will be no room for doubt. The Roma supporters want to win, and I want to win too. At that moment, love takes a back seat.”