Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva make their case for Real Madrid starting roles after Roma comeback

Real Madrid pulled off a hugely valuable comeback at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to two players demanding a bigger role: Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva. With the score at 3-1, José Mourinho turned to his bench and the team changed completely, ending up with a win that has reignited a long-running debate around the Madrid dressing room.

• Arda Güler came on in the 59th minute and provided two direct assists, as well as playing a key part in another goal.
• Bernardo Silva replaced Tchouaméni in the 70th minute and formed a double pivot with far more control.
• Mourinho is sticking with the Fede Valverde-Tchouaméni double pivot despite the doubts it raised in Roma.
• Fede Valverde finished the match at right-back, a role in which the Uruguayan had already been decisive against Villarreal.
• Espí and Endrick also scored in the Madrid comeback, while Vinicius was withdrawn early after learning of his four-match league ban.

The Fede Valverde-Tchouaméni double pivot is still not clicking under Mourinho

The Roma match made it clear that José Mourinho has a very defined idea for his midfield. The Portuguese coach once again trusted the double pivot of Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, and the result fell well short of expectations. In the first half, the player tasked with starting Madrid's build-up play was neither the Uruguayan nor the Frenchman: much of that responsibility fell to Thibaut Courtois.

The Belgian goalkeeper positioned himself between the centre-backs and attempted up to 19 long passes, more than the two players who were supposed to give meaning to Madrid's build-up. The plan did not work before the break or in the early stages of the second half, when Roma extended their lead to 3-1 through Malen and appeared to have killed the game off.

Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva change the script at the Olimpico

With the match slipping away, Mourinho responded and reshaped his team from the bench. He first brought on Arda Güler in the 59th minute and then Bernardo Silva in the 70th. The Turkish player's introduction pushed Fede Valverde to right-back, a role in which the Uruguayan had already been decisive against Villarreal. The Portuguese midfielder, for his part, took Tchouaméni's place and formed a double pivot completely different from the one that had started the match.

With both on the pitch, Real Madrid took control of the ball and built a comeback led by Arda Güler. The Turkish playmaker produced two direct assists and played an active role in Espí's goal. The Valencia-born forward and Endrick completed the most positive notes of the Madrid reaction, scoring goals and bringing a constant sense of danger to Roma's penalty area.

Vinicius singled out after learning of his four-match ban

The Madrid comeback stood in sharp contrast to Vinicius' performance. The Brazilian started just a couple of hours after learning of his four-match LaLiga suspension, and he was far from generating the threat that Madrid fans have come to expect. Along with Dumfries, he became the first player withdrawn by Mourinho in a radical change of approach that ultimately delivered three very valuable points in Rome.

Mourinho makes no promises about keeping the formula that turned the game around

Despite the radical change the team underwent after the introductions of Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva, Mourinho was firm in his press conference and refused to guarantee that approach would continue. The Portuguese coach argued that there are different moments and different contexts within a single match.

If we start the way we finished, they put five past us. There are moments and moments. I had changes to make. They were going to get tired, the cards were going to come.

His words reinforce the feeling that the Real Madrid coach will continue to back a more physical, less possession-based midfield in the upcoming fixtures, starting with Sunday's match against Sevilla.

The debate over Fede Valverde's position returns to the spotlight

One of the keys to a potential change of approach involves Fede Valverde's position. In the last two matches, the Uruguayan has had more influence on the game from full-back than from midfield, an old debate that has long been part of life at Real Madrid.

Around a year ago, while Xabi Alonso was still in charge, the player openly opposed a change of position. After Wednesday's match, however, the Madrid captain sounded far more open and focused on the team's needs.

The important thing is to win, as the manager said. If things go well, we have to keep moving forward and I'm happy to keep getting minutes wherever it is. I really enjoy playing, I had a lot of space to run on the wing and I'm grateful that the manager keeps trusting me. I'll give everything for the team.

A potential move for Valverde to full-back would free up a place in midfield and open the door to a more controlled, less physical engine room. That is exactly the formula that worked in Roma in a desperate situation, with Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva as the main protagonists. The final decision rests with Mourinho.