Jose Mourinho is heading back to Rome, where applause is expected to greet the man who delivered European silverware to the Eternal City. But once the emotion fades at the Stadio Olimpico, the focus will shift to a heavyweight Champions League showdown – and a reunion that could come with plenty of tension.Real Madrid visit Roma on Wednesday at 10 pm, marking Mou's first return since leaving the Italian capital in January 2024. ##LINKED_NEWS_69789##Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini believes the Portuguese deserves a warm welcome, even if his own side will be determined to spoil the occasion."It is right that the fans greet him with applause. There was a great deal of love for Jose, and he deserves every recognition he receives," Gasperini said. "He is one of the most decorated coaches of all time."The Roma boss, however, expects that affection to disappear the moment the match gets underway."I'm convinced that once the game starts, the fans will think only about supporting Roma," he added.22.00: (3.90) Roma (3.70) Real Madrid (1.90)Asked whether there was anything he would borrow from Mourinho's coaching methods, Gasperini delivered a playful answer."His ability to convince club owners to buy incredible players," he said with a smile.Mourinho spent two and a half years in Rome, taking charge of 138 matches and recording 68 victories. His biggest moment came in 2022, when he guided Roma to the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League title – a triumph that cemented his bond with the club's supporters.##LINKED_NEWS_69803##His return also brings the prospect of another meeting with French referee Francois Letexier, following their heated confrontation during Benfica's Champions League clash with Real Madrid in Lisbon on February 17.Tomorrow, Mourinho has little room for another setback. Since returning to Madrid ahead of the season, his side have suffered league defeats against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, allowing Barcelona to move six points clear.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Real Madrid did begin their Champions League campaign with a victory over Inter, but Roma represent another formidable challenge. Gasperini's team have started the season unbeaten, with four wins and two draws in Serie A before earning a draw away to Fenerbahce in Europe.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 2Tuesday19.45: (2.50) Lens (3.45) Sporting (2.75)19.45: (3.50) Sabah (3.50) Slavia Praha (2.05)22.00: (1.20) Arsenal (6.75) Lille (14.0)22.00: (2.00) Atl.Madrid (4.00) Man.Utd. (3.40)22.00: (8.50) Galatasaray (6.00) Barcelona (1.30)22.00: (1.25) Inter (6.50) Club Brugge (10.0)22.00: (1.75) RB Leipzig (4.60) PSV (3.80)22.00: (18.0) Viking (11.0) Bayern (1.10)22.00: (2.15) Villarreal (3.50) Napoli (3.30)Wednesday19.45: (3.50) Feyenoord (4.00) Como (2.00)19.45: (9.50) LASK (6.00) Liverpool (1.28)22.00: (1.70) Aston Villa (3.70) Fenerbahce (5.10)22.00: (2.20) Betis (3.45) Porto (3.25)22.00: (3.20) Bodo (4.00) Dortmund (2.10)22.00: (2.25) Man.City (3.60) PSG (3.05)22.00: (3.90) Roma (3.70) Real Madrid (1.90)22.00: (2.70) Shakhtar (3.35) AEK (2.60)22.00: (9.00) Slovan B. (5.90) Stuttgart (1.30)***odds are subject to change***