Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho spoke to the media after the team’s impressive 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Wednesday night. He was asked about the team’s performance and how dominant they looked in the second half, to which he said: “We want fans to know that we will win many games like this, with three, four, five goals. We want them to understand that we can wait, even if it feels like we are losing, but relax, we will get there. Today, two or three changes, and we finished the game off.”
Mourinho on the performance
“I
want to emphasize that Real Sociedad is a very good team; they caused us a lot of problems. In these matches, I wish we had the hydration break so I could talk at the 25-minute mark. They caught us by surprise. They didn’t create too many dangerous chances, but it was difficult to press them. We weren’t comfortable until we made substitutions in the second half. But we stayed calm, and in the second half, the team was very strong. One thing I don’t like to do is talk about individual players, but what Mbappé did was incredible. So much quality.”
Mourinho on Kylian Mbappé
“I always say that in my career I’ve coached teams with incredible players, and I’ve had teams with good players, but not the absolute best. I always say that these guys need to be taught to play as a team. Nothing individual when the team is struggling to build attacks. Kylian has a lot of ability. He doesn’t wait for the team to play to score; he drops deep to create opportunities, plays a one-two with Jude for the goal… he has a lot of quality. Obviously, Kylian had his own game, but everyone played very well: Fede, Bernardo… those who came on later, along with Cucurella… I really liked the second half. I liked the composure before the difficult moments.”
Mourinho on Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr
“We can talk about them, about Bernardo, about Federico… The team has been very good. We have players of a very high class who have been supportive. And people have recognized that.”
Mourinho on the Bernabeu
“It’s even more beautiful than it was. Winning is fantastic. Before the match, I was calm; it’s been many years. I have great players who have made me enjoy myself as a coach and as someone who loves football.”
Mourinho on the first half
“The first half was difficult, we weren’t lining up our press. Real Sociedad didn’t create danger, but they were well structured and hard to press. We prepared the game well, it was one of those games that’d be perfect for a hydration break but we had to wait to adjust things at half-time.”
Mourinho on whistles
“We already know the Bernabéu, the players know it. It’s the first impression, we’ve just arrived, and thanks to the fans, it’s a consequence of history, of the high standards. Real Madrid has great players and wants more and more and more. It’s one thing to be a fan, and another to be a coach and player. They pay to experience excitement, we are where we are because we have this ability to remain calm in the face of difficulties. We already faced different challenges against Espanyol, but the team is learning to grow emotionally as a unit, and in the end we achieved what we wanted, the three points, and the fans leave with a sense of what we’re going to do. It’s important that they understand us and that if we’re losing, we’re not losing; we were maintaining control on the pitch. We have to understand the differences in pressure on the field; we waited with more possession, there were boos, but we remained calm after the boos, we made two or three changes at halftime, and we finished the game off.”
Mourinho on his relationship with Vinicius Jr
“We speak the same language, so it’s easier to make jokes. I wouldn’t have taken him off but there was a very positive feeling after his goal, we have another game in three days and he could feel the fans’ love.”
Mourinho on chants for him
“I don’t like that fans sing my name. It’s about the team. I’m happy with the feeling the players and fans could have at the end, we go home with a smile and tomorrow to train because on Sunday we play Málaga.”
Mourinho on sending his players to warm up in the first half
“I don’t like my players warming up at half-time. They should be in the locker room getting the information they need for when they come on. That’s why I send players to warm up on 35 minutes.”
Mourinho on Mbappe’s goals
“Kylian is an incredible player, absolutely incredible. Whether he scores 50 or 60, well, I don’t know. I prefer 40 with a lot of hard work for the team and titles, than 60 just looking out for himself. I’m very happy with him; the group is helping the team grow. He arrived two days before his vacation ended, and that’s a positive. I left him on the pitch for 90 minutes to see if he could score four. I took Vini off when he scored.”
Mourinho on being ‘angry’ with players
“I shouldn’t publicly evaluate them. When you give your all, you’re not obligated to give more; it’s up to others to evaluate. I’m happy with what we’re doing, considering a difficult preseason, with some players having 39 training sessions and others only 6 or 7, like Cucurella or Diomande. It’s very difficult. It’s not easy to make the team improve more than we’re already doing. I appreciate the League’s intelligence and common sense in granting an extra week. Oyarzabal was tired five minutes into the second half; Jude could have done the same, but perhaps he’s in better physical shape. We’re not doing badly; in the end, we live by points, and we’re six out of six.”
