Mourinho slams Vinícius's suspension hours before UCL game with Roma

José Mourinho did not hide his disappointment over the Competition Committee’s decision to make public, a few hours before the Champions League match against Roma, the four‑match suspension imposed on Vinícius Júnior. The coach of Real Madrid asked the question “Why exactly two hours before the match?” during the interview on Movistar+.

Timing of the sanction

The measure was communicated shortly before the encounter with the yellow‑and‑red team, prompting a reaction from the Portuguese manager. Mourinho urged journalists to ask the Committee why it had not published the decision that same morning or the day before, highlighting the possible psychological impact on the Brazilian player.

Consequences for Vinícius

Vinícius Júnior, 26, has made ten seasonal appearances for Real Madrid, scoring one goal and providing three assists. The four‑match suspension excludes him from the upcoming fixtures against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing and Valencia, according to reports.

The Spanish club has already announced its intention to lodge an appeal, hoping for a reduction of the penalty, although previous experiences suggest a low chance of success.

Mourinho lashes out at Spanish press ahead of Champions League clash

Mourinho tactical choices

Regarding the match against Roma, Mourinho highlighted the intensity of the opponent’s pressing, describing it as “one‑on‑one like no other”. He also explained the decision to field Antonio Rüdiger in central defence instead of Dean Huijsen, citing the good chemistry with Konaté in the previous game and the need for experience in a “special” situation.

According to the manager, Rüdiger and Konaté showed leadership and stamina, playing thirty minutes while a man down, whereas Huijsen was not excluded due to a lack of quality, but because of the specificity of the match against Roma.

In conclusion, Mourinho shifted the focus from the individual player to the Committee’s decision‑making context, demanding transparency and arguing that the timing of the sanction could affect the performance of Real Madrid in the European stage.