Jose Mourinho spoke to the media ahead of Real Madrid’s match against Sevilla on Sunday. He was asked about Vinicius Junior’s performance against Roma on Wednesday, and he tried to defend the player. He said: “I want to ask a fun question, because I’m curious too: Are people interested in what time we arrive at Valdebebas? And when we leave? It’s funny. Vinicius had a very difficult match. For me, the main culprit for Vinicius’s difficult game was Gasperini because he always attacked down his wing.
It was very difficult for me as the coach to make changes. In the second half, Roma changed, and what bothered me was the nature of the second goal when the game was balanced, with no problems for us. He shouldn’t have done what he did, but it’s done, it’s not a big deal. I made five changes, not just one. Substitutions are part of football. Vinicius has to work harder, and without promising anything, because I don’t like to promise, I think he’ll start on Wednesday. As for the four matches, I’m happy because he was going to get more playing time. I thought they’d sneak in one or two more.”
Mourinho on the team before Sevilla
“Tired, but they won’t be tired against Sevilla. Today, I think, and from what I’ve seen in the medical department, they’re a little tired, but we’ll be fine. We also have very good options if we decide to make changes and freshen up the team. Sevilla is a great team. They’ve competed in the matches they’ve lost. They always compete away from home. Luis García is doing a great job. It will be a very difficult match, but we want to win.”
Mourinho on what he expects from his midfielders
“I ask the midfielders to be midfielders. I ask them to do the job a midfielder does. One who only defends is limited. If they only attack, it’s better to play on the wings or as a number 10. It’s a very difficult position to play. To be top, you need a different kind of quality.”
Mourinho on initially saying Arda Guler can play deep
“He works hard. I think you all have a hard time giving credit or recognition to hard work. It seems like the most negative things are attributed to someone, and the positive ones are just a matter of luck. Arda is a very talented player; thankfully, he’s not yet a finished product. He’s a player who has the ability to play in different positions. I’m very happy.”
Mourinho on how he manages Vinicius Junior
“He’s a fantastic guy, and it’s easy to get along with him. I spend a few minutes alone with him every day. I value him immensely because he always manages to live and survive with a smile. If I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn’t be here. I would have forced a move to a country where he’d be respected, but out of loyalty to Real Madrid and love for the club, he stayed. He believes things can improve, and he still has that smile. Nothing and no one can take it away from him.”
Mourinho on Endrick’s minutes
“I think sometimes we struggle to give credit to those who do things well. You criticize them harshly when things go wrong. It’s all thanks to the lad who gave it his all. The three goals from corners and how those corners were won. In 10 minutes we had about 7 corners because we had an avalanche of football. There are many players who deserve to play. There are more than eleven who deserve to play, there are 15 or 16. Lunin deserves to play, and I’m not kidding. A lad who works like he does, every day with the best goalkeeper in the world, and he’s positive, but he doesn’t play. I can’t put both of them in the starting lineup. It’s the same story with the outfield players. We’ll all agree that the five players who came on and changed the game deserve to play tomorrow, but what about the others? Doesn’t Diomande deserve to play? Doesn’t Cucurella deserve to play? Doesn’t Valverde deserve to play? Doesn’t Mbappé deserve to play? It just goes to show that it’s a difficult part of a coach’s job.” My colleagues who coach teams with fewer resources will say I’m lucky. It’s both a blessing and a curse to have journalists like you, who make things more difficult.
Mourinho on the squad, and signings for January
“The 23 players are always called up. Vinicius won’t be there tomorrow, but Militao will be. Signings? I’m not asking for anything. I’m happy with the squad and the players. I feel that it’s normal for people to improve, both individually and collectively, especially if we have the time and peace to work. It’s a coach’s job to try to develop his players. I don’t look like I’m asking for players. I like having small squads, and if someone comes in, someone else has to leave. If the sporting director has something in mind, we’re here to consider it. But it won’t be my initiative.”
Mourinho on Fede Valverde
“I’m here to do what I think is best for the team. I believe the day will come when AI and surveys will be used to make decisions for teams, and coaches will be limited to doing fieldwork, but until now, coaches make the decisions. A stubborn coach who isn’t open, with all due respect, I believe some people give their opinions because they love football and others because it’s their job, but those opinions aren’t worth more than my analysis. A stubborn coach is a limited coach. Just as a coach who isn’t open to opinions isn’t a good coach. I’m open to the opinions of my staff. I can change, but I can change based on my analysis, not on what others think. I can go in different directions (referring to Tchouameni and Valverde). A match has many moments and many nuances. The five substitutions, for strong squads, are an important point.”
Mourinho on what advice he gives to Vinicius Junior
“These are private conversations. When he renewed his contract, he signed that Madrid is his home and that he’s excited to continue making history and winning titles. He gets along well with everyone in the locker room; he’s a source of joy. I had serious doubts about whether he has the strength to stay here, given all the offers he had.”
