Sports
Real Madrid head to Roma with Mourinho-style preparations and a familiar referee
October 12, 2026 at 05:08 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 4 hours
Real Madrid travel to Roma on Wednesday for a Champions League match officiated by the referee who once sent off their coach, José Mourinho.
- UEFA appointed French referee François Letexier to oversee Roma against Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium, with Dutch official Dennis Higler handling VAR.
- Letexier previously dismissed Mourinho during last season's Champions League playoff against Benfica after two yellow cards for dissent.
- Real Madrid will train at Valdebebas before flying to Italy, rather than on the Olympic Stadium pitch, a routine tied to Mourinho's approach.
- Defender Éder Militão resumed full team training in the final stage of his injury recovery, though his appearance against Roma remains in doubt.