UCL: ‘They couldn’t take it anymore’ – Roma boss hit back at Mourinho over ‘dead’ comment

AS Roma manager, Gian Piero Gasperini has responded to Real Madrid head coach, Jose Mourinho following the latter’s assertion that the Italian club’s players were “dead” during Los Blancos’ remarkable comeback victory in the UEFA Champions League.

Roma relinquished a 3-1 lead in the latter stages of the second half, ultimately suffering a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid in the UCL.

Outstanding performances from Arda Guler, Endrick, Carlos Espi and Antonio Rudiger enabled the Madrid-based club to stage a comeback and secure victory.

After the match, Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho facetiously suggested that the Italian club’s players had succumbed to pressure, both physically and mentally.

Gasperini disagreed with Mourinho’s remarks, maintaining that his squad had delivered a superior performance throughout the 90 minutes.

“I don’t think so. It seems to me that if anyone couldn’t take it anymore, it was them. We could have scored a few more goals.

“They were outclassed in every department. They scored the goals, and they rightly count; they were good at using their physicality. For the rest, they certainly weren’t up to the task,” he said.

Real Madrid currently occupy eighth position in the UEFA Champions League standings after securing two victories in their opening two matches.

​Mourinho’s squad will subsequently face RB Leipzig at home in the UCL on October 21.