Real Madrid’s attention turns to Rome, with Dean Huijsen back in the squad as José Mourinho prepares to face his former club in the Champions League. Tuesday also brought a visible change at the Bernabéu, where the club’s crest was installed on the stadium’s façade. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich have reiterated their determination to keep Michael Olise, while further footage has emerged of Vinícius Júnior’s reaction to his dismissal against Villarreal.
Huijsen returns as Madrid complete preparations for Roma
Dean Huijsen has been included in Real Madrid’s squad
for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, kicking off at 9 p.m. Madrid time. The defender missed Saturday’s victory over Villarreal through suspension and now gives Mourinho another option alongside Antonio Rüdiger and Ibrahima Konaté.
Madrid completed their final training session at Valdebebas before travelling to Italy. The players began with warm-up exercises and rondos before moving into tactical work and small-sided matches, finishing with shooting practice. Rather than train at the match venue, Mourinho again chose to complete the squad’s preparations in Madrid, with the obligatory pre-match press conference scheduled for the Stadio Olimpico.
Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy continued working with their teammates, but neither is in the travelling squad. Their involvement represents further progress in training rather than a return to competitive availability. Militão had already been ruled out of the Roma and Sevilla matches by Mourinho, while Mendy is not registered in Madrid’s Champions League squad.
Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo remain in rehabilitation. With Militão and Asencio unavailable, Mourinho must select his starting central-defensive partnership from Huijsen, Rüdiger and Konaté. Vinícius, meanwhile, is included in the European squad following his dismissal in Saturday’s league match.
Bayern president on Olise: “We know how to defend ourselves well”
Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has responded to speculation linking Michael Olise with Real Madrid, emphasizing the German club’s financial position and the time remaining on the winger’s contract. Speaking to Bild TV, Hainer made clear that Bayern do not consider themselves under pressure to sell.
“Bayern is a club that doesn’t need to sell. We make our decisions from a position of strength. Michael Olise still has a contract with us until 2029,” Hainer said.
He expressed his hope that Olise would eventually extend that agreement, before addressing the prospect of an approach from Madrid.
“Regardless of whether it’s Real Madrid or any other club that tries to sign him, we know how to defend ourselves well.”
Hainer also pointed to Olise’s development since arriving in Munich and his satisfaction with life at the club.
“He feels very comfortable here in Munich. When he arrived at our club, only those in the know recognized him. Now the whole football world knows him.”
Olise has begun the season with eight goals and four assists in eight appearances across all competitions. Hainer’s remarks reinforce Bayern’s intention to retain him, but do not constitute confirmation that Madrid have submitted a formal offer.
DAZN footage captures Vinícius’ protests after Villarreal red card
DAZN’s footage of Saturday’s match has provided further detail on Vinícius Júnior’s reaction to being sent off during Madrid’s 1–0 victory over Villarreal. The Brazilian had been celebrating what appeared to be Madrid’s second goal before a VAR review identified his hair-pull on Nathan Saliba, leading to the goal being disallowed and a straight red card.
The referee’s report described Vinícius’ conduct after the dismissal. Isidro Díaz de Mera wrote that, in the 73rd minute, the forward continued protesting while still on the pitch, approaching him aggressively and needing to be restrained by teammates. However, the referee stated that he could not identify any specific words being used.
DAZN’s cameras captured part of that exchange.
“Red card? No! No!” Vinícius shouted after seeing the decision, before repeatedly asking the referee: “Why are you doing that?” Rüdiger and other Madrid players intervened to move him away and accompany him towards the tunnel.
The broadcast therefore adds audible exchanges to an incident already described in the match report, while the report itself records the referee’s account of the protests and his inability to distinguish the specific expressions used.
Montero urges Huijsen to use criticism to improve
Paolo Montero has backed Dean Huijsen to develop through the demands of playing for Madrid, arguing that scrutiny is an unavoidable part of representing one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Speaking to AS, the former Juventus defender said Huijsen had already demonstrated his quality by reaching this stage of his career
“He’s already taken the step, being at Real Madrid. It’s normal, it’s part of the experience. When you’re at Real Madrid, Juventus, Barcelona, or Manchester United, you’re always going to receive criticism. The important thing is to take it in stride, to see it as a positive, and to use that criticism to help you grow.”
Montero, who worked with Huijsen at Juventus, also identified mental resilience as an area in which Mourinho could help the defender.
Antonio Valencia recalls Madrid opportunity and praises Mourinho
Antonio Valencia has revealed that he had the opportunity to join Real Madrid before choosing Manchester United. In an interview with AS, the former Ecuador international said he remains proud both of attracting Madrid’s interest and of the career he subsequently built in England.
“I did have that opportunity to sign for Real Madrid, yes. For me, at that time, it would have been nice, but I made the decision to go to United. Now, looking back, I’m proud, firstly that the people at Real Madrid noticed a player like me; and secondly, of the career I had at Manchester United.”
Valencia also spoke warmly about working with Mourinho, describing the coach’s competitiveness and his own continued support for him.
“Yes, I had the opportunity to have Mourinho as my manager, as my boss. I have a lot of respect for him, and we had a great time together. We won titles with him. He’s a very passionate coach, a coach who’s always thinking about how to win. I hope that with Real Madrid he can achieve the club’s objectives: the Champions League, La Liga, and the Copa del Rey. I recently had the chance to be at the Bernabéu supporting him because I truly admire him as a person and as a coach. I hope he does well.”
Real Madrid’s crest returns to the Bernabéu façade
The Real Madrid crest has been installed on the Bernabéu’s façade overlooking Paseo de la Castellana, with the operation completed on Tuesday morning. According to AS, the lifting and installation took slightly more than three hours.
The emblem was manufactured by Tecnoseñal, part of the Tecnove Group, in Herencia, Ciudad Real. After months of preparation, it was transported to the stadium, secured to a crane and raised into position alongside the “Bernabéu” lettering.
The installation adds another prominent feature to the stadium’s exterior as its redevelopment continues. It also follows the announcement that the Skywalk will open on November 13 with an experience developed in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.
Video: Bellingham tries his hand at carving jamón
Jude Bellingham took on a different challenge during Spain’s National Day celebrations, learning to carve jamón in a video shared by Andares Gourmet. The company posted the footage from Valdebebas, where the midfielder received instructions—and some good-natured teasing—from those around him.
“There’s no more ham for anyone,” Bellingham joked, while laughter and the nickname “the Birmingham Ripper” could be heard in the background.
Managing Madrid Podcast: Roma vs Real Madrid preview
Kiyan Sobhani and Steven Sciavillo, from Chiesa di Totti’s Across the Romaverse, preview Wednesday’s Champions League meeting between Roma and Real Madrid on the latest episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast:
The discussion covers Mourinho’s return to the Stadio Olimpico, Gian Piero Gasperini’s attacking approach, the potential starting lineups and the tactical questions that could shape the match.
