Madrid struggled against Gian Piero Gasperini's aggressive pressing and man-to-man marking in the first half, but Mourinho's tactical changes helped turn the game around in the closing stages.

The Portuguese coach admitted he got his initial approach wrong, giving credit to his players for producing a strong response.

"The poor first half was my fault. The good second half was down to the players," Mourinho said.

He was surprised by Roma's tactical approach but believed their high-intensity style would eventually take its toll.

"I know perfectly well how Gasperini's teams play, and they surprised us. But there are no miracles in football; it is impossible to maintain that intensity for 90 minutes," he explained.

Mourinho was particularly unhappy with the goals his side conceded, describing the second as "ridiculous and unworthy of this level".

He added that Madrid had been overwhelmed before the break but showed courage after the interval to secure a crucial victory.

"Roma are very strong. They are a nightmare to play against," he said.

The win leaves Madrid in a strong position in the Champions League league phase, with six points from their opening two matches against difficult opposition.

Mourinho also defended his decision not to start Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva, insisting that the timing of his substitutions was important against opponents who were likely to tire.

"If we had started the way we finished, they would have scored five against us," he said.

The Madrid coach was also angry that the Spanish football authorities announced Vinicius Junior's four-match suspension shortly before the Champions League match.

Mourinho questioned the timing of the announcement and suggested it had been handled unfairly.

"Do you think it is normal for a player at a Spanish club to know what suspension he will receive? Couldn't it have been announced today or tomorrow?" he asked.

He also defended Vinicius' reaction to being substituted, saying the Brazilian's emotions were understandable in the circumstances.

"What matters is that he was happy because we won," Mourinho said.

Mourinho subsequently criticised the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over Madrid's domestic fixture schedule, arguing that the club deserved greater consideration ahead of a demanding trip to Athens followed by a difficult match against Valencia on Saturday.

"I ask for respect. I don't think it is fair that we have to play in Athens and then face such a tough match against Valencia on Saturday," he said.

"It was not an innocent decision. Madrid fans are not stupid, and I am going to speak out so that people can see what is happening."

Mourinho also made it clear that Endrick would not be allowed to leave Madrid on loan, despite the young Brazilian's battle for regular playing time.

"It is impossible for him to leave on loan. I know how much quality he has," the coach said.

He was similarly firm when asked whether Carlos Espi's development could threaten Kylian Mbappe's place in the starting line-up.

"He is developing, and I like him a lot. But if the question is whether I am going to drop Mbappe, the answer is no," Mourinho said.

Madrid will now turn their attention to Sunday's La Liga meeting with Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu, hoping to build on their dramatic European comeback and maintain their momentum.

KZN derby headlines Friday night Betway Premiership action