Gasperini pokes fun at Jose's ability to get funds

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Mourinho returns to former club Roma on Thursday as Real Madrid prepares for its second game of this season's top European competition.

Gasperini insisted Mourinho will "deserve all the recognition he'll receive" from Roma supporters, but still aimed a slight jibe at Madrid's spending habits.

"Results speak for Jose. He’s one of the most successful coaches," Gasperini said. "If I had to take one thing, it would be his ability to persuade clubs to buy extraordinary players and spend large sums of money; that is extraordinary."

"He's very good for the rest too, and his results. But that remains a great ability."

Mourinho's record in this competition also speaks for itself. Madrid has only lost one of its 19 group/league phase matches in the Champions League under him.

Meanwhile, Roma has lost each of its last four games in the competition against Madrid without scoring a goal – its joint-longest losing streak against an opponent in the European Cup/Champions League.

"It's a bit difficult to have Real Madrid as a benchmark. In what they represent globally, they are the club with the most titles and the most fans worldwide," Gasperini said. "So, this isn't the comparison we should focus on; it's what happens on the pitch. 

"We recently played Inter and Como, two of Italy's best teams, and now we face one of the best in Europe and the world.

"Our target is to measure ourselves against them to understand how competitive we can be."

Mourinho guided Roma to Europa Conference League success in the 2021-2022 season, winning the club's first trophy since 2008 and marking their maiden triumph in Europe.

But the Portuguese boss is not interested in sentiment as Madrid look to build on its 2-1 victory over Inter in its Champions League opener this campaign.

"It will be just another game. If I can forget who I'm playing against, and I'm doing that and will do it during the game, then it's just another game," Mourinho said.

"As I said before, we're not yet feeling the real pressure of the Champions League. Looking at what's still to come, I think Real Madrid and Roma will both qualify.

"Maybe before or after the game I'll put my hand on my heart, but during the game there will be no doubt. Roma want to win, and so do I. At that moment, love is forgotten."