Mourinho returns to Roma with Real Madrid as Spanish giants face Italian challenge in Champions League José Mourinho returns to Roma today as manager of Real Madrid, with the Italian team looking to cause an upset at home in the Champions League. The Portuguese manager had a troubled but successful stint at Roma until he left two and a half years ago, complaining about the referees. He is returning to conduct Real Madrid in the Stadio Olimpico, where Rome's first home game in the Champions League in seven and a half years is set to take place. Mourinho's constant complaints and antics about referees have sparked controversy in Spain, and Madrid are suffering through Barcelona's dominant start to their second stint in Spanish capital. José Mourinho returns to Roma today as Real Madrid manager, with the Italian team hoping to upset their Spanish rivals at home in the Champions League. Mourinho left Roma two and a half years ago, complaining about the referees after they failed to qualify for the Champions League during his tumultuous but successful stint in Italian capital. He is returning to conduct Real Madrid in the Stadio Olimpico, the Roma's first home game in the Champions League in seven and a half years.Mourinho Complaints Spark Controversy In SpainMourinho's constant complaints and antics about referees have sparked controversy in Spain, and Madrid are suffering through Barcelona's dominant start to their second stint in Spanish capital. The episode of hair-pulling occurred after Madrid asked for a new president of the Spanish league, citing comments from Javier Tebas against the club in relation to their complaints about refereeing as "intolerable". Tebas criticized the club for complaining about the arbitration in a 2-1 loss against Atletico Madrid before the international break.After the derby, Mourinho brought a sheet of paper with photos to the post-match press conference and claimed that there were two red cards that were not shown to Atletico players. He then spent almost five minutes complaining about "strange" things that have happened to his team this season and in the past. Mourinho insisted on the topic of "strange" things on Tuesday when responding to a question about the designations of referees in Spain."The only thing that makes me gasp is when, by rule, the referee's name is known, even though it must be 24 hours beforehand, three weeks beforehand. That's the only thing that bothers me", he said. Perhaps Mourinho's mood will improve in Rome, where he remains a much-loved figure after taking Roma to consecutive European finals: a Conference League title in 2022 and a Europa League final the following season."I'm ready for the return. Roma and I want to win, love is forgotten", Mourinho said.Mourinho Ready For Return To Roma Stadium"If I manage to forget where I am and remember what happened, it's just another game", the Portuguese manager said. The current Roma coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, commented that he expected the club's fans to pay tribute to Mourinho before the kick-off."It's only fair. The fans wanted him a lot, so he deserves any tribute they give him", Gasperini said on Tuesday.However, the Italian coach believed that once the game started, fans would forget those feelings and cheer for their team only. The UEFA suspended Mourinho for four European games for verbal insults to the referee in the Europa League final garage after Roma lost the final in 2023 against Sevilla. He was also suspended for his last game with Roma against AC Milan in January 2024.Roma Champions League History Against PortoThe last time Roma played a home game in the Champions League was against Porto in the eighth-finals in February 2019. Roma won 2-1, but then lost the second leg 3-1 and were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate. It is the second consecutive Champions League game for Mourinho against one of his former Italian clubs, after Madrid narrowly defeated Inter Milan 2-1 last month after scoring two early goals.Gasperini achieved in one season what Mourinho did not in three: put Roma among the top four during his first campaign with the Giallorossi. After passing the page after a successful nine-year stint with Atalanta, Gasperini has made Roma an attacking team, the antithesis of Mourinho's defensive-mindset teams.Gasperini Highlights Different Roma Team Style"José left the people with incredible memories and a deep love for him as a coach", Gasperini said. "However, now we are a different type of team, very different from the one that played with Mourinho, although it hasn't been that long", the Italian coach said.Donyell Malen leads the Serie A with six goals in six games and will seek redemption after receiving his first red card of his career on Sunday in a 0-0 draw with Como, another Champions League team. Malen came on as a substitute in the second half for his Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid when the club narrowly defeated the Spanish side in the 2024 Champions League final to win their 15th title, extending their record.