Despite securing three points against Villarreal at the Bernabeu last weekend, many Real Madrid members left the field frustrated by controversial referee decisions. Most notably, Vinicius had a goal disallowed and received a direct red card for pulling an opponent's hair in the second half. Following the match, Mourinho did not attend the press conference.

Therefore, the press conference on 13/10, held before Real Madrid's Champions League match against Roma, marked the first opportunity for the media to question the Portuguese coach about his decision. "Nothing, absolutely nothing," Mourinho responded at the stadium. "This is a Champions League match. I have nothing to say about the La Liga game."

When reporters continued to inquire about his silence after the Villarreal match, Mourinho appeared annoyed. "I told your colleagues I did not want to comment. But I will try to make this the last question on the matter," he stated. "I advise you to review the first minute of the match against Villarreal. If you wish, we can discuss it on Saturday during the next press conference. Just watching the first minute will be enough, if you understand the issue."

Coach Mourinho at the press conference at the Olimpico stadium on 13/10/2026 in Rome, Italy. Photo: AFP

During the press conference, Mourinho evaded a total of five questions concerning the referee controversies at the Bernabeu. He even suggested that Italian reporters ask about the upcoming match rather than dwelling on events in La Liga. Nevertheless, his cryptic hint about reviewing the first minute garnered particular attention from the Spanish media.

According to Marca, the incident Mourinho alluded to occurred at 1 minute, 4 seconds, when Kylian Mbappe was flagged offside by the referee. A review of the first 5 minutes of the match showed this was the only potentially contentious play. A few minutes later, the French forward was again caught offside in a similar situation.

Marca confirmed that Mourinho was referring to Mbappe's first offside call. However, this incident was not replayed on television and did not cause significant reaction on the field. The referee blew the whistle, and the match continued without any immediate dispute.

In that play, Mbappe dropped back to receive the ball. From the live footage, it was impossible to definitively determine if the number 10 forward was indeed behind the opposing defense. Nevertheless, Villarreal subsequently gained control of the ball, and Mbappe had no opportunity to create a dangerous situation.

The noteworthy aspect lies in Mourinho's interpretation of the referee's decision. According to Marca, while it remains unconfirmed whether the play was offside, the Portuguese coach seemingly intended to imply that the officiating team had a tendency to make decisions unfavorable to Real Madrid from the very beginning of the match. For Mourinho, that seemingly insignificant play was sufficient to reflect the overall conduct of the game and explain the subsequent controversies.

Since returning to manage Real Madrid in summer 2026, Mourinho has repeatedly and publicly criticized refereeing in La Liga. He claims his team consistently faces disadvantages from controversial decisions. After last month's Madrid derby, Mourinho even brought printed photos of two unfavorable incidents for Real Madrid to the press conference. He accused referees of "not handling pressure," adding sarcastically, "Congratulations to the Spanish Referee Committee (CTA)."

These statements raised questions about whether Mourinho trusts Champions League referees more than those officiating La Liga matches. "I trust all of them," Mourinho affirmed.

However, "The Special One" continued with a suggestive remark about referee assignments. "The only thing that makes me feel something is wrong is when people know the name of the referee officiating a match three weeks in advance, when they should only know 24 hours beforehand," he stated. "That is the only thing that makes me uncomfortable. Aside from that, I still have faith and harbor no negative feelings."

Today's match against Roma marks Mourinho's special return to the Olimpico stadium, where he previously spent three seasons managing the Italian capital club, winning the Conference League in 2022 and reaching the Europa League final in 2023.

Ahead of the reunion, the Portuguese coach appeared indifferent towards coach Gian Piero Gasperini but expressed much affection for his former club. "I am ready to return. Roma wants to win, and so do I. When the match begins, emotions must be set aside," he said, affirming his intention to treat it as a normal game.

The 63-year-old coach also spoke of his special relationship with Roma fans, attributing their affection to his authenticity and his prioritization of the club's interests over personal gain. "I win people over by being myself. That is why the fans find empathy with me," he remarked.

By Hong Duy (according to ESPN, Marca)