Mourinho: "I have great confidence in the ambition of the players"
“We are prepared for what we are going to face,” declared our coach.
José Mourinho appeared in the press room at the Ciudad Real Madrid ahead of our team's LaLiga opener against Espanyol, a match to be played at the RCDE Stadium (Saturday, 9:30 pm CEST; Orange TV and Dazn): “They are a good team. Teams that have had the same coach for a long time are well-prepared, with routines and dynamics. They play well and with ambition. I really liked their first game, and there they are in the standings with three points, three goals scored, and none conceded. Their fans are happy, and starting with a home win is always a motivation. We are super prepared for what we are going to face. We have studied them as thoroughly as possible, watched their preseason games, and, of course, the one they played against Levante.”
The debut and the squad
“I’m feeling good. It’s the first official match of the season, but this has been happening to me for over 20 years. I’m calm. Regarding the squad, you’ve rightly pointed out the difficulty of starting at different moments and in different groups. Obviously, there are players with 36 training sessions and six matches, and others with five training sessions and a bit of a game. But the players and the staff are exceptional. I’ve been able to prepare differentiated work for everyone, like for those who were here only for individual training. Sometimes we joked because there was one player for ten people, including assistants, trainers, doctors, physios... If you ask me if I’d like to have one more week to prepare things even better, of course, yes. But I also tell you that we are already tired of friendlies. We want real matches, and now they’re here. The injured players from last season, with long-term injuries, I don’t expect to recover them in one, two, or three weeks. The only player unavailable for this match is Endrick, who has a minor muscle issue. Tchouameni is fine and already training with the team. He’ll train today, but he has to train in the afternoon as well and will do so tomorrow and Sunday to speed up his process. Due to his injury, he’s not in the condition to play this match against Espanyol.”
The pressure
“I wouldn’t call it pressure. I’d call it adrenaline that kicks in and is positive. I want it, and the day I don’t feel it, something isn’t right. But I don’t feel pressure from debuts or any football match. Moreover, I have a lot of confidence in the work we’ve done. It’s been a challenging, staggered process with players joining little by little, but I trust the work we’ve done. I have great confidence in the ambition of the players and their mentality. Also, in the passion they show me every day. The match is tough, but tomorrow, when we board the plane, we’ll do so with the conviction that we’re coming back with the three points.”
Diomande said he would give his life for Mourinho
“It’s an expression and we are not going to follow it word for word. It’s an expression I like, but I would like it even more if he said instead of ‘I’m willing to die for José,’ he said ‘I’m willing to die for my team and for Real Madrid’. But in the end, I think when he uses my name, it’s what he wants to express in relation to the team and the club. Diomande's words are no different from what I see in everyone. I see people very committed and with a great desire to do things well. I see a group that is growing and united. We are surely not a perfect group because that does not exist. I’m not going to make the mistake of thinking I’ll be here for weeks without any problems. Problems will come, but as a foundation, the group is strong, and Diomande’s message applies to everyone.”
“I arrived with a lot of information. I’ve been here for three years and have my base contacts. I’ve come to know many things, not just the situation that occurred between Tchouameni and Federico (Valverde). But I decided to start from scratch. I’ve been attentive since the first day Tchouameni arrived, and I haven’t felt any need to talk or bring up a topic that was difficult for them and for everyone. Because I immediately saw normality. And they were the ones who showed me that I don’t need to talk to anyone. What I’ve seen isn’t about peace; it’s about normality, friendship, and cooperation. It’s as if nothing ever happened.” What would you consider a successful season?
“A successful season can be viewed in many ways. But in the end, the only pragmatic way is through results. A lot of work is done on many levels, growing the structure of a club, preparing the club for the next 10 years. But in the end, results are what count. We have four competitions. Or, if we want to say it, three plus one minor competition. But finishing a Real Madrid season without trophies is not a successful season.” The academy
“Tomorrow, three will be on the bench: Rivas, Cestero, and Ciria. We have a squad that’s not too large. Militão, Rodrygo, and Ferland (Mendy) will be out for a long time. I really like working with 20-21 players, maximum 22. The academy players are filling these open spots and working very well with us. They won’t always be the same. I also want to motivate the kids and make them understand that the door is open. This week it’s these three’s turn, and it will be many others’ turn. It’s something I like to do and something I think is appreciated by La Fábrica because it’s something I believe can motivate the boys.” The captains this season
“I am happy with everyone. I think the captains are getting to know me. They also have this ability to observe, analyze, and understand well. I don’t speak to make myself known through my words. I want them to know me by the way they observe and analyze me. Every morning at eight, we have a staff meeting. It’s a staff that’s been here in previous years, and they themselves convey the idea that we see a group with a different empathy. And the captains haven’t yet had the moment to act as captains in a difficult moment, which will come. When the difficult moment comes, we’ll see, but for now, there’s very good cooperation. The group is also helping the captains a lot to be in a period of observation and calm.” What does Real Madrid need?
“We need to be a team, work well, and not try to negotiate things that are non-negotiable. Commitment has to be present every minute of every match. We have to overcome moments of frustration that will come from a negative result or personal frustration. I was talking to the players that, for the first time, tomorrow a moment of frustration will come for many, which is the first match. It will be the first time the coach has to choose, and one will start and feel good about it. It will also be the first time someone goes to the bench and feels frustrated. These are the moments they need to know how to handle individually and as a group. I’m here to help them, but there’s one thing I can’t do, which is start a match with 15 players. I can only start with eleven, and I hope every match is a difficult moment for me. The day someone lets frustration consume them and their level drops, decisions will become easy for me. I don’t want easy decisions; I want difficult ones. To reach the end of the season and have something to celebrate, a team like ours has to know how to get through moments of frustration both individually and as a team.” Defensive work for the forwards
“I’ll ask for different work for each match and each opponent. But you have to defend with eleven. If the other team pushes us and leaves us in great difficulty in our defensive third, we all have to defend. If it’s a match where we press high, prevent them from getting out, and play in the opponent’s field the whole time, then they don’t have to defend. They just have to play and dominate. It depends on the situation, but there’s work to be done. One thing is working by pressing, and another is working by closing spaces. Some will truly have to press, and others will have to close spaces. But the concept of players who defend and players who wait for the ball to be recovered doesn’t exist here. Every time we’ve worked on defensive concepts, there’s been a very good response from everyone and zero problems.” Vini Jr.'s renewal
“The news wasn’t a surprise. When I arrived and was told about his contractual situation, my first question was, ‘Does he want to stay or not?’ And he wanted to stay. It was a matter of numbers and his agents, but he wants to stay. At that moment, I was completely calm. I don’t want to assess whether he’s the best in the world, one of the top three, or one of the top ten. It’s a game I don’t like much, but he’s surely one of the best players in the world. And the best have to be here.” Vini Jr.'s happiness
“I don’t know why he’s had some issues in the past with other coaches. He wants to win. He knows perfectly what I want from him from a tactical point of view. I think he’s happy, confident in how we’re preparing for matches, and he wants to win from day one, even before signing his new contract. Every little conversation we had always ended with ‘let’s improve, let’s win again, and let’s be happy again.’”
Diomande said he would give his life for Mourinho
“It’s an expression and we are not going to follow it word for word. It’s an expression I like, but I would like it even more if he said instead of ‘I’m willing to die for José,’ he said ‘I’m willing to die for my team and for Real Madrid’. But in the end, I think when he uses my name, it’s what he wants to express in relation to the team and the club. Diomande's words are no different from what I see in everyone. I see people very committed and with a great desire to do things well. I see a group that is growing and united. We are surely not a perfect group because that does not exist. I’m not going to make the mistake of thinking I’ll be here for weeks without any problems. Problems will come, but as a foundation, the group is strong, and Diomande’s message applies to everyone.”
“I arrived with a lot of information. I’ve been here for three years and have my base contacts. I’ve come to know many things, not just the situation that occurred between Tchouameni and Federico (Valverde). But I decided to start from scratch. I’ve been attentive since the first day Tchouameni arrived, and I haven’t felt any need to talk or bring up a topic that was difficult for them and for everyone. Because I immediately saw normality. And they were the ones who showed me that I don’t need to talk to anyone. What I’ve seen isn’t about peace; it’s about normality, friendship, and cooperation. It’s as if nothing ever happened.” What would you consider a successful season?
“A successful season can be viewed in many ways. But in the end, the only pragmatic way is through results. A lot of work is done on many levels, growing the structure of a club, preparing the club for the next 10 years. But in the end, results are what count. We have four competitions. Or, if we want to say it, three plus one minor competition. But finishing a Real Madrid season without trophies is not a successful season.” The academy
“Tomorrow, three will be on the bench: Rivas, Cestero, and Ciria. We have a squad that’s not too large. Militão, Rodrygo, and Ferland (Mendy) will be out for a long time. I really like working with 20-21 players, maximum 22. The academy players are filling these open spots and working very well with us. They won’t always be the same. I also want to motivate the kids and make them understand that the door is open. This week it’s these three’s turn, and it will be many others’ turn. It’s something I like to do and something I think is appreciated by La Fábrica because it’s something I believe can motivate the boys.” The captains this season
“I am happy with everyone. I think the captains are getting to know me. They also have this ability to observe, analyze, and understand well. I don’t speak to make myself known through my words. I want them to know me by the way they observe and analyze me. Every morning at eight, we have a staff meeting. It’s a staff that’s been here in previous years, and they themselves convey the idea that we see a group with a different empathy. And the captains haven’t yet had the moment to act as captains in a difficult moment, which will come. When the difficult moment comes, we’ll see, but for now, there’s very good cooperation. The group is also helping the captains a lot to be in a period of observation and calm.” What does Real Madrid need?
“We need to be a team, work well, and not try to negotiate things that are non-negotiable. Commitment has to be present every minute of every match. We have to overcome moments of frustration that will come from a negative result or personal frustration. I was talking to the players that, for the first time, tomorrow a moment of frustration will come for many, which is the first match. It will be the first time the coach has to choose, and one will start and feel good about it. It will also be the first time someone goes to the bench and feels frustrated. These are the moments they need to know how to handle individually and as a group. I’m here to help them, but there’s one thing I can’t do, which is start a match with 15 players. I can only start with eleven, and I hope every match is a difficult moment for me. The day someone lets frustration consume them and their level drops, decisions will become easy for me. I don’t want easy decisions; I want difficult ones. To reach the end of the season and have something to celebrate, a team like ours has to know how to get through moments of frustration both individually and as a team.” Defensive work for the forwards
“I’ll ask for different work for each match and each opponent. But you have to defend with eleven. If the other team pushes us and leaves us in great difficulty in our defensive third, we all have to defend. If it’s a match where we press high, prevent them from getting out, and play in the opponent’s field the whole time, then they don’t have to defend. They just have to play and dominate. It depends on the situation, but there’s work to be done. One thing is working by pressing, and another is working by closing spaces. Some will truly have to press, and others will have to close spaces. But the concept of players who defend and players who wait for the ball to be recovered doesn’t exist here. Every time we’ve worked on defensive concepts, there’s been a very good response from everyone and zero problems.” Vini Jr.'s renewal
“The news wasn’t a surprise. When I arrived and was told about his contractual situation, my first question was, ‘Does he want to stay or not?’ And he wanted to stay. It was a matter of numbers and his agents, but he wants to stay. At that moment, I was completely calm. I don’t want to assess whether he’s the best in the world, one of the top three, or one of the top ten. It’s a game I don’t like much, but he’s surely one of the best players in the world. And the best have to be here.” Vini Jr.'s happiness
“I don’t know why he’s had some issues in the past with other coaches. He wants to win. He knows perfectly what I want from him from a tactical point of view. I think he’s happy, confident in how we’re preparing for matches, and he wants to win from day one, even before signing his new contract. Every little conversation we had always ended with ‘let’s improve, let’s win again, and let’s be happy again.’” These Years from Afar
“I’m not someone who misses things much. I left Portugal more than 20 years ago and only returned last year for a few months. I don’t think much about what I’ve left behind. After every Real Madrid title, I would get a call from the president. But a call from the president, to which I’ve always answered no, has nothing to do with me. I’m glad that the work I did here left positive things behind, but the titles belong to those who were here: Carlo, Zidane, the players, and the people.” At what point in the season can we say this is Mourinho’s team?
“Already. It depends on what you mean by Mourinho’s team. I’ll answer pragmatically: it’s already my team, for better or worse. If we’re talking about the concept of the perfect team, it will never be. Because I’m one of those people who believes every day is an opportunity to improve. A team always has room for improvement. We have a long way to go, but football and competition won’t wait for us.” His First Lineup
“Let’s see which of you has better contacts. The players already know who will play. My way of working is not to hide things. Maybe in a couple of hours, your information will come through. I’m not going to say it, but I don’t want to have an ideal lineup. I want to keep the door open to competition because there are so many matches. We’ll have a period where we play every three days. We know how we want to build, how we want to press, how to play against a team using one system or another. It’s tactical culture we’re accumulating. Also, if we talk about top-level players like Trent or Dumfries, or like Cucurella and Carreras, it’s not possible to think one will play 60 matches and the other none. Or one 10 and the other 50. That’s not possible. We have a lot of quality.” The Midfield
“I don’t think we have a deficit. You could say we don’t have a deficit but still wanted to sign Rodri. He would be the cherry on top. He’s an experienced player, and if we can have him, we’ll improve. But when you have Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Bernardo, Arda… I think Arda could, over time, play in those positions. It’s not that we have a problem or that we need to go after another player.” Vini Jr, Mbappé, and Bellingham
“They’re incredible players, and incredible players want to play with other incredible players. Top players get frustrated when they play with teammates who are not top-level. They get upset, protest, and feel frustration because their teammates don’t have the same speed of thought or execution. The best want to play with the best. I want all three to feel secure on the pitch. I’m always careful to ask them to do things I know they can do well. I do it for the good of the team, and I have a lot of confidence when the three play together because they are players of great quality, and I don’t think their positions are incompatible. I’m very confident we’re going to have a great season with them.” The Coaching Staff and Khedira
“It’s always difficult to join a new club, and I try to change as little as possible. I try to bring in people I obviously have a lot of trust in. About Sami (Khedira), in every club, I like to have someone from the house. I like having someone with that kind of profile, and he was here during the first stage, where he became a world champion. Regarding players from Real Madrid during my time here who no longer play but have a psychological profile I like, there’s Xabi Alonso, Álvaro Arbeloa, who are great coaches. Luka is still playing, and Granero is a businessman. The first time I talked to Sami, I felt what I like to feel. He was in the United States working for FIFA, but he told me, ‘If I have to go tomorrow, I’ll go.’ I know him well, and he’s a great link with the players. He’s been a player here and knows the mentality. I don’t know the person or the work of Llopis. Maybe I did something I shouldn’t have done, but for me, today the goalkeeping coach is a fundamental part of the work. And I wanted someone who had already worked with me. About Antonio Pintus and Antonio Silva, I thought the two could fit very well because they have different competencies and areas of intervention. A good staff, good players, and if things don’t go well, then it’s the coach’s fault.” What advice would the Mourinho of 2013 give to today’s Mourinho?
“That’s a tough question. Today’s Mourinho is the one who is in a position to advise the Mourinho of 2013. The only thing I would say is that one must always stay very calm. For me, it’s much easier to stay calm now than it was five, ten, or 20 years ago. Today I’m in better shape than I was when I arrived and when I left.”
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.