Real Madrid manager [José Mourinho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mourinho) denounced the Spanish federation’s decision to hand winger [Vinícius Júnior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vin%C3%ADcius_J%C3%BAnior) a four‑match suspension merely two hours before the club’s Champions League quarter‑final against Roma, saying the timing undermined preparation and showed a lack of respect for the team.
The Brazil international received the ban on Wednesday after being sent off in Saturday’s 1‑0 La Liga victory over Villarreal, where he was shown a red card for pulling an opponent’s hair. The suspension will keep him out of a crucial stretch of league fixtures, including a Clasico against Barcelona, who sit six points clear at the top of the table.
Despite the ban, Vinícius started the Champions League match, and Real Madrid produced a dramatic comeback to win 4‑3 after trailing 3‑1 with seven minutes left. Mourinho used the post‑match press conference to vent his frustration about the late announcement.
Mourinho asked, “Do you think it’s normal that a player from a Spanish team, who has to play a match that is also important for Spanish football, learns two hours before the game that he has a four‑match suspension? Couldn’t they have done it earlier?” He added that the federation’s actions were “shameless” and that “the cat is out of the bag now.”
He also complained about the congested schedule, noting that Real Madrid must travel to Athens for a Europa League tie on 4 November before heading to Valencia for a La Liga clash on 7 November, all while a national team break looms. “It makes absolutely no sense to make us play a tough match in Valencia on a Saturday after a late night in Athens,” Mourinho said, dismissing the usual TV‑related excuses.
On the pitch, Mourinho’s substitutions turned the tide. After Donyell Malen’s brace gave Roma a 3‑1 lead early in the second half, substitutes Endrick and Carlos Espínola scored, while Arda Güler supplied two assists to complete the rally. Mourinho admitted he had not expected a 4‑3 win but praised the impact of his bench players.
“I’m not going to claim I prepared everything for a 3‑1 to 4‑3 victory, that’s not true,” he concluded. “But I genuinely believed my substitutions in the last 20 minutes could change the game, and they did. Real Madrid fans are not stupid, and I will do everything possible to open people’s eyes.”