Jose Mourinho spoke to the media ahead of Real Madrid’s match against Racing Santander on Sunday. He was asked about whether he is more brave now than the ‘defensive’ coach he was in his first stint, to which he said: “Over the years, I consider myself more… more balanced, in terms of ‘I don’t care what they say.’ And… if they criticize me, it doesn’t affect me. And if they say I’ve done this, this, this, and this; and that in Barcelona I’ve done this, this, and this, I don’t buy it anymore. Honestly.
I still think the credit for Barcelona belongs to the players. And if I leave a match feeling like I’ve helped, I’m very happy. But I’m completely balanced. I’m neither braver nor less so. You say I was defensive in my first spell at Real Madrid. If defensive gets you 100 points and 120 goals, I am happy to be defensive. What makes me different is that I’m not stubborn. I’m open to studying, to drawing conclusions from the things I see, hear, and discuss… Sometimes it’s not just about listening, but about sensing the players’ work. And that’s all. I’m calm, I’m calm, just as I want the team to be.”
Mourinho on the Urda tragedy
“Before we begin, I just wanted to express, on behalf of myself and everyone who works for Real Madrid… our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Urda. Our heartfelt sympathies and support.”
Mourinho on how the team is doing
“We’re doing well, we’re working hard. We’ve prepared well for this match. Five games after being promoted to La Liga, Racing has played five matches at El Sardinero, with three wins and two draws. They’re playing well. The match is on a Sunday afternoon, something we’re not used to anymore. It’s difficult. The last victory has great significance if we win again; otherwise, it won’t be the same. We have to respect Racing. They’re a team with a very specific approach, and depending on the manager’s tactics, they’ll play with that ambition to win. They won’t catch us off guard. We know how difficult it will be.”
Mourinho on Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Harry. He’s a great player, a great professional, a great person. And obviously, despite the frustration that my player didn’t win, I also have to be honest and say that I’m very happy for Harry, because he’s a player and a guy who deserves… at his… I don’t know, 31 or 32 years old… he deserves a little joy, this crowning achievement in his career. On the other hand, I think that… Kylian is Kylian. Kylian is unique. And if we have a Ballon d’Or every season, okay, some have won it more than once, Messi, Cristiano, Ronaldo Nazário, Platini… there are people who have won it more than once. But every year we have a Ballon d’Or. But there’s only one best player in the history of the World Cup. It’s something absolutely unique. And Kylian is unique. Of all the votes, the thing that has left me… even more… a little speechless with surprise is Jude Bellingham. Eleventh. No comments. We’ll end here.”
Mourinho on changes around the mood after the Clasico
“No. I… ever since we started, and we started by winning games, even though we lost later, I’ve always seen… obviously, attitudes change depending on the results, but I’ve always seen the same empathy, respect, willingness to work, and balance in victory and defeat. In that respect, we’re not a particularly mature team because we don’t have very experienced players; we’re generally young, but I’ve seen people with a lot of maturity. They’ve been able to stay calm in difficult moments, and even in moments of glory. In Barcelona, we celebrated, but then it was bus, plane, day off, back to normal training, the same focus, the same motivation. When we started preparing for this match, I saw seriousness. And I’m very happy about this maturity. And as I said in the press conference in Barcelona, our goal for the season isn’t just to win a game against Barcelona, but to win the championship. And we’re trying to stay on that path.”
Mourinho on so many away matches
“Obviously, it’s dangerous. Every match is, whether at home or away. But obviously, you have to add the opposing fans to the mix when playing away. Opponents feel more comfortable with their own supporters. Racing is a team that hasn’t lost at home. When we go to Athens, AEK will be playing the derby against Panathinaikos tomorrow, so they’ll either be happy or in crisis. After playing on Wednesday and arriving on Thursday morning… it’s an accumulation of difficulties that we’re familiar with. It will be tough, but that’s where our resilience comes in. Our willingness to be smart. But it is difficult; very difficult. I think it’s an almost unique situation, playing four consecutive away matches. And regarding the schedule… we should have played yesterday and we’re playing today; we should have played Valencia on Sunday and we’re playing on Saturday. You cut in two days and cram three matches into seven days. It’s a huge gift they’ve given us, whether it’s from LaLiga or the TV networks, I don’t know. But it’s a gift we have to accept.”
Mourinho on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s minutes
“The first thing is that it hurts. I don’t like to create bad feelings among the players, only good ones. Obviously, when you build a squad with a base of two players per position and then play a third, it’s something I don’t like. But… then there are things that are more important than these feelings. Things that are more important for the team at a given moment. And I thought that now, it was time to change the midfield and put Fede there. But thinking about the team, not the players. I’ve had a good response from Trent and Dumfries when I explained that it was a decision for the team and not against the players. In the end, they’re going to play every game. Tomorrow. Valverde won’t start, but one of the others will. Against Barcelona, due to circumstances, Dumfries ended up playing and Trent for a few minutes. And I don’t think they’re going to ask me to let them go. The difficulty of the season, with so many matches and these “gifts,” accumulation of cards, fatigue, some injuries… In the end, everyone is going to play. I don’t think I’m going to have that kind of situation.”
Mourinho on Vinicius Jr
“No… I don’t think about Vinicius’s individual situation. I don’t have a set starting eleven. Today’s starting eleven could be different in a couple of weeks. Football today isn’t what it was 20 years ago; it’s more intense, faster, and much more physically demanding. The idea of being able to name a team’s starting eleven off the top of your head, like they did years ago, is very difficult nowadays. And that’s why it’s so hard to name a starting eleven. As I said, the feeling that the team is better when I have players with different characteristics in midfield is true, but it’s a matter of principle. Now, calling them ‘starters’? No, I don’t think about that. Vinicius’s situation right now is very simple: he’s not playing in La Liga, but he is in the Champions League. And I want him, I want him a lot. I want this suspension to end quickly because I want him and I need him. And with this, I’m not saying he’s going to be a starter, but I’m not saying he’s going to be a problem either. He’s a great player, and we’re going to have him in a very good squad.”
Mourinho on Kylian Mbappe and China
“I’m calm because my club is Real Madrid and my player at home is Kylian Mbappé. Both Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé have shown the class to react immediately, and I feel very represented by both of them.”
Mourinho on how Mbappe is doing
“No. Kylian is very intelligent, mature. With a very high level of self-esteem. And at the same time, he has class. The way he interpreted Harry’s Ballon d’Or win… I only saw and felt class. And respect. It’s one thing to know you’re the best, and another to have respect for someone who has also done a lot to win a trophy. In him, I only see class. And then, with the China thing… those are the dangers of today’s world, where many times the best thing you can do is keep your mouth shut, because there’s danger in so many things you say or comment on. But I’ve also seen him as very responsible with a club that, at this level, is of the highest class. And from our side, that’s it. We have nothing more to do.”
Mourinho on whether he sees this Real Madrid team better without Vinicius Jr
“No, no. I don’t see anything. I see a group working to become a cohesive unit, both those who play and those who are on the bench. They’re all on the same page regarding the playing style, how they press, where they position their defensive block, how they build up play… It’s a system that evolves over time. And then, you can change two or three players and nothing happens. That’s the goal.”
