José Mourinho bestowed with 'eternal glory' by Roma fans in winning return as Real Madrid coach

ROME (AP) — José Mourinho was treated like a returning hero when he brought Real Madrid to face Roma, one of his many former clubs, on Wednesday.

And he snatched the victory, too, as Madrid came back from two goals down for a 4-3 win with three goals in the final 10 minutes — with all three scores following corner kicks.

Even before the coach walked out into the Stadio Olimpico ahead of kickoff for a Champions League match, there was a long applause when the stadium announcer read out the teams and Mourinho's name.

Then early in the first half, the end of the stadium where Roma’s hard-core “ultra” fans sit held up three huge signs featuring images of Mourinho — one of which depicted him cradling the Conference League trophy that Roma won in 2022 to conclude his first season in charge.

The Conference title was Roma’s first significant European trophy.

Mourinho also led Roma to the Europa League final in 2023. He left the club in January 2024 without really saying goodbye.

“Whoever brings glory to Rome, Rome will honor forever,” read a fans' banner. “The people bestow you with eternal glory.”

Mourinho said he was left “speechless” by the reception.

In return, Mourinho didn't celebrate when late goals from Carlos Espi, Endrick and Antonio Rudiger turned the match around.

“You could say there were two games in one,” Mourinho said. “Roma was better in all aspects early on. ... When it was 3-1 everyone probably thought the game was dead. But it was the Roma players who were dead.”

The result was a welcome reprieve for Mourinho, who has been waging a vocal campaign against the Spanish league referees.

Earlier Wednesday, Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior was banned for four league matches, including the “clasico” against Barcelona, after pulling the hair of an opponent in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Madrid is in fourth place in the Spanish league and already trails perfect Barcelona by six points.

Mourinho’s criticism of the referees has drawn the ire of Spanish league president Javier Tebas.

It was the second straight Champions League match that Mourinho faced one of his former Italian clubs, after Madrid hung on for a 2-1 win over Inter Milan last month after scoring two early goals.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho stands during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Roma and Real Madrid, in Rome, Wednesday, Oct.14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

A banner depicting Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho is displayed by Roma fans during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Roma and Real Madrid, in Rome, Wednesday, Oct.14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho watches sitting on the bench during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Roma and Real Madrid, in Rome, Wednesday, Oct.14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho gestures during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Roma and Real Madrid, in Rome, Wednesday, Oct.14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

A banner depicting Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho is displayed by Roma fans during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Roma and Real Madrid, in Rome, Wednesday, Oct.14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Thursday's Game 3 of the AL Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians has been moved up to a 1 p.m. start because of the threat of rain in Cleveland on Thursday night.

Major League Baseball moved the start time up five hours in order for the series to remain on schedule. The game will still be broadcast on TBS and other TNT Sports platforms.

After that switch, MLB also moved up the start of Game 4 of the NL Championship Series between the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. That game in Los Angeles will now start an hour earlier, at 5 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET). The Brewers lead that series 2-0.

The best-of-seven ALCS is even at 1-1 after the Rays' 3-1 victory Tuesday night. Cleveland took the series opener 7-3 on Monday.

Tampa Bay will send right-hander Griffin Jax to the mound. Jax (8-10, 3.52 ERA) struck out four and gave up one run in two innings of relief against the New York Yankees in the Division Series.

Cleveland is expected to go with Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.76 ERA), who led the American League in strikeouts. The right-hander started Games 2 and 5 against the White Sox and tossed an inning in relief in Game 4. He had 24 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits.

Friday’s game still has a start time of 6 p.m. and Saturday’s first pitch is slated for 8 p.m.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

A general view of Progressive Field before Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tim Phillis)