José Mourinho said Roma “were superior, then…” after AS Roma turned a 3-1 lead into a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid. Real Madrid scored three goals in seven minutes and completed the comeback in eight. It was the kind of swing that leaves a manager reaching for the shortest possible explanation.

Mourinho's collapse quote

The quote that matters most is the one Mourinho gave to Football Italia. “three goals in seven minutes.” That is the whole collapse in one line, and it fits the game state Roma had already built. They were ahead, they were still ahead going into the decisive spell, and then the match was gone.

The scoreline itself is easy to miss if you only look at the final result. Roma led 3-1 before losing 4-3, which means the turning point was not a long siege or a slow drift. Madrid changed the match quickly, and Mourinho's own words show how abruptly Roma's control disappeared.

Roma's European damage

The defeat leaves AS Roma on 1 point from 2 Champions League matches and 25th in the standings. That is a poor return for a side that had the game in hand and then surrendered it so fast.

There was also a cost beyond the score. Roma lost Koné and Dybala to injury, and that makes the night worse for a squad already under pressure in Europe. Dybala has 4 goal contributions in 6 Serie A appearances this season, while Koné has 2 goals in 6.

Real Madrid's side of it looks cleaner. They are 8th in the standings with 6 points from 2 matches, and they have won their last 2 Champions League games. Kylian Mbappé has 2 goals in 2 Champions League appearances this season, so the comeback sat on top of a run that already looked strong.

Roma's challenge now is not just the result, but the way it happened. The 4-3 scoreline and the eight-minute turnaround will define the discussion after a game Mourinho himself reduced to “three goals in seven minutes.”

FAQ

Why did Roma lose to Real Madrid after leading 3-1?

Roma were 3-1 ahead before Real Madrid scored three goals in seven minutes and turned the game around in eight minutes. José Mourinho said Roma “were superior, then…” and pointed to how fast the match changed.

How quickly did Real Madrid turn the match against Roma?

Real Madrid turned the match around in eight minutes, and the key burst was three goals in seven minutes. The final score was 4-3 after Roma had led 3-1.

What did Mourinho say after Roma's collapse against Real Madrid?

José Mourinho told Football Italia Roma “were superior, then…” and also highlighted “three goals in seven minutes.” His words matched the way the match slipped away from a 3-1 lead.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →