Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho spoke to the media after the team won 4-0 against Malaga on Sunday. He was asked about Jude Bellingham’s quality and his performance from the night, to which he said: “He’s very demanding of himself and others, and I really like that. I agreed with him that I didn’t want to see him as a second left-back defending; I’ve seen him do that a lot. We really exploited that situation with Benfica. We’ve organized the team differently; he knows what he has to do, and he feels
comfortable. I’m very happy with everyone. But it’s true that in the final stretch, we lost our shape a bit at 3-0. Some stayed focused, others relaxed… That’s the feeling we all had. But this organization is what allows us to win back high balls without having to track back. It’s normal that we don’t have the energy or the mentality to do it for 90 minutes. I said that at Real Madrid there’s more than one player who can win the Ballon d’Or, but there’s Jude. Of course, there’s one (Mbappé) who made history at the World Cup. But Jude, in midfield, is incredible.”
Mourinho on the game
“A very strong first half, from a team that didn’t want to waste any time and came out determined to win the game. The second half was more about managing the game, with a slower pace. Málaga wanted to be more composed and keep possession. But every time we accelerated, we created danger. We felt we could score one or two more goals. But as a team, a clean sheet was also a key objective. To defend well. You can’t always attack with great intensity. Sometimes the opponent comes out and you have to know how to balance yourself, defend well. Today we did that. Three important points.”
Mourinho on the changes
“That’s my goal. I told the players I would make a lot of changes before the match against Real Sociedad. That I would repeat the same lineup there, but in the next one I would make four or five changes. Not wanting to change the team’s identity, but to bring in more players, more quality. Because they all have a very high level.”
Mourinho on Real Madrid’s defense
“Last year I didn’t watch much of Real Madrid, except when we played them three times in a month. Before that, I watched a game whenever I could. I can’t compare. The problems will come, the defeats will come. With Benfica, I didn’t lose a single game all last year and we finished third. I’d gladly take losing a few games and winning titles. But the negative period, a less successful phase, injuries… that’s going to happen. The problems will come. The criticism from the press, the negative reactions from the fans. We have to be very balanced and not let the negative impact affect the whole season. The team has to be united; that’s our salvation right now.”
Mourinho on who gets selected
“It’s a difficult mission, not a one-month thing, but a season-long one. The frustration of those who aren’t playing is something that’s more in the players’ hands than in mine. I can show that I trust them all. They have to manage it themselves. Today Trent and Cucurella played, and Carreras and Dumfries didn’t…”
Mourinho on the chemistry between the superstars
“Very, very good players want to play together. With people of their quality, with their speed of thought and decision-making. They always have to be compatible. There was a lot of talk that Mou didn’t want one player, then another, then another… I always want the best. If there’s empathy, teamwork… I don’t see any problem; I see that they’re good.”
Mourinho on Yan Diomande
“He needs to take it step by step. He works hard and well. He’s open and humble, he wants to learn, he listens to his teammates, he’s going to grow. I can’t focus on the 120 or 130 million… How much did they charge us? I have to focus on a player who’s coming off a top-level season at Leipzig. When you talk about a huge number like that, you think of someone who arrives and blows everyone away. But that’s not it, he’s a young guy. Calm down, take it easy.”
Mourinho on Dean Huijsen
“I don’t want to compare it to last year. I don’t know the dynamics. What I have noticed is that we talk, because I like a center-back who has quality on the ball and can play passes between the lines. But for me, the important thing is decisiveness, winning duels, and giving confidence. He’s improved a lot in a short time. I need to watch the game better at home, calmly, but I think he misplaced a pass through the middle and then did everything else well. That’s the version I want. I like center-backs who defend well; if they’re also good on the ball, perfect. But first you have to defend, and I see a good version of him in that regard. And his partner next to him also helps.”
Mourinho on Juan Francisco Funes’ comments on getting fouls in the game
“Funes’s comments about the difference in referee treatment don’t deserve comment.”
