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8 September 2026

Jose Mourinho described Inter’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League as “a crazy game”, said he is already looking ahead to Roma, and explained that he returned because “if it’s difficult, you call Jose.”

Real Madrid went into their opening Champions League fixture with major issues in the squad, with Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga suspended. Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were injured too, while Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick and Thiago Pitarch were not fully fit.

Even so, Los Blancos were ruthless in taking advantage of two clear Inter mistakes in the opening 25 minutes. Kylian Mbappe ran through after a misplaced pass from Curtis Jones, and then Federico Valverde caught Josep Martinez out as the goalkeeper tried to dribble inside his own six-yard box.

“I liked the result, three points in the opening game against a very strong team, but the game was spectacular for anyone at home, just not for me or Cristian Chivu,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.

“This game was crazy. It could’ve been 5-0 for us, 5-5, 7-6, 5-6, a game with so many chances. Inter are strong, it was tough with our midfield to close them down sitting deep, yet we could’ve killed off the game at 3-0 before half-time.

“We had another chance with Bellingham, Inter could’ve scored several too. It was open to the end, just a crazy game of football.”

There were also a few jeers aimed at Mbappe, who has been accused of being too selfish and of not doing enough to help his teammates.

“Mbappe worked really hard, he scored an important goal, had two or three chances that he usually converts, but I am not worried, because he will always score goals. He’ll certainly be Champions League top scorer again this season, and he works really hard for the team, so I couldn’t be more satisfied.”

It was also a special reunion for Mourinho and Chivu, who worked together when Chivu was part of the Inter side that won the Treble in 2010, so what did the two say to each other?

“We had a hug before, a hug after, he knows what I feel about him, I know what he feels about me. During the 90 minutes, you forget everything, but now if we have an opportunity to meet up, we’ll talk.”

Mourinho’s next match will bring another reunion, as Real Madrid are due to travel to the Stadio Olimpico in the Champions League to face a Roma side that sacked him.

“Last season it was Chelsea and another of my former clubs, it happens. I cannot disguise, Roma in Rome, that is my first time back there. Of course, it’s going to be emotional, but only before and after the match, during it I’ve got blinkers.”

Mourinho was also asked why Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had been so determined to bring him back, and he responded with one of his trademark lines.

“Because the situation was tough. If it’s easy, it’s not for me. If it’s difficult, you call Jose.”