Real Madrid were unstoppable in comeback win over Roma, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho declared his Real Madrid team were unstoppable in the latter stages of their Champions League win over Roma, having stormed back from 3-1 down to win 4-3.

It looked as though Los Blancos would suffer their first European defeat since Mourinho's return to their dugout on Wednesday, when Donyell Malen's second goal put the Giallorossi two to the good in the 57th minute.

But Carlos Espi's opportunistic finish gave Madrid hope in the 83rd minute, Endrick equalised soon afterwards, and Antonio Rudiger volleyed in a last-minute winner against his former club.

Excluding games that went to extra time, it was the latest that an away side has ever been two or more goals behind in a Champions League match and gone on to win.

Madrid's five European Cup or Champions League wins when trailing by two or more goals are the most of any team, while Roma have only lost two matches in the competition after leading by at least two, and both of those came against Los Blancos.

Mourinho felt Roma ran out of steam after a dominant first half in which they restricted Madrid to just one shot on target and 0.28 expected goals (xG) – the Spanish giants hit the target seven times and accumulated 1.15 xG in the second period.

"It was two games in one – Roma were superior in every aspect for the first half, and then we were impossible to stop for 20 minutes," Mourinho told Amazon Prime Video Italia.

"They surprised us at the start by using Matias Soule on the wing and creating superiority in that area. We conceded a ridiculous goal that you cannot allow at this level.

"After going 3-1 down, perhaps everyone thought the game was dead, but the only ones who were dead were the Roma players.

"It is very difficult to play with this intensity and the style of football that they have. We made some changes, because conceding three, four or five goals doesn't make much difference. Roma were unable to handle that avalanche of attacking football."

Having also beaten Serie A champions Inter on matchday one, Madrid are one of nine teams with maximum points on the board.

And after his Benfica side left it late to qualify from the league stage last season, Mourinho knew how much easier a fast start would make things. 

"Six points is halfway towards qualification. With Benfica, after four games last year, we had four points and we qualified," he said.

"It's not over yet, but we already have six points, and this is important for us. Six matches remain, and we've played against two top-level Italian teams. It's very good for us."

Mourinho was also asked about the news that Vinicius Junior must serve a four-match domestic ban, having been sent off for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during a 1-0 win over Villarreal in LaLiga last weekend.

Mourinho suggested the timing of that announcement – which came shortly before Wednesday's game kicked off – was intended to harm Madrid, saying: "At the very least, it's disrespectful. 

"Finding out two hours before the match that he has a four-game suspension... It doesn't deserve any comment from me. Madridistas are not stupid, and I'll do everything possible to open people's eyes."

Vinicius will miss games against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia in LaLiga, though he will remain eligible for Madrid's Champions League meetings with RB Leipzig and AEK Athens prior to the November international break.