Real Madrid’s 4-3 comeback over Roma gave Jose Mourinho a second straight Champions League win, but it did not remove the bigger issue around Real Madrid standings. On Wednesday, October 14, Madrid came from 3-1 down at the Stadio Olimpico to win a game that again showed their quality going forward and their problems when the match turns against them.
The victory came after a 2-1 win over Inter Milan in their previous Champions League game, yet the domestic picture remains less comfortable. Real Madrid are fourth in LaLiga with 18 points, nine behind leaders Barcelona, and that gap keeps the pressure on every performance as the season develops.
Mourinho: the first half was on me
Mourinho defended his conservative starting lineup after the comeback and took responsibility for Madrid’s difficult first half. The selection is already being questioned because the team have struggled for consistency this season, and the match in Rome exposed problems he has yet to resolve since returning to the Spanish club.
That is why the result felt so mixed. Real Madrid showed they can recover quickly when the game opens up, but they also allowed Roma to build a 3-1 lead before responding with three goals in seven minutes. It was the sort of spell that can change a match, but it does not hide the fact that Madrid still have work to do.
What the win means for the standings
The short-term story is positive: Real Madrid remain alive in the Champions League and have momentum heading into a busy run. The longer-term story is less simple, because the Real Madrid standings in LaLiga still leave them chasing Barcelona rather than setting the pace.
On Sunday, they are back at home against Sevilla, and that fixture should tell us more about whether this comeback was a turning point or just another thrilling night that papers over the cracks. Then comes Barcelona on October 25 in El Clásico, a match that will say far more about the title race and Madrid’s standing in it.
For now, Mourinho has a win to point to, and Real Madrid have another reminder that their best football is good enough to beat anyone. The question is whether they can make that level of performance the norm rather than the exception.
