Real Madrid coach José Mourinho spoke after his team’s 4-1 win over RB Leipzig to praise his side, but also reflect on the defensive side of the game as he said: “Nobody is where I want them to be. I always want to improve. I’ve been here for 105 days, 104 days, something like that. Obviously, we’re not where I want us to be. But there are things we’re doing better today than we were before. If you want to compare, for example, the very matches we won here by four goals, against Málaga and Rayo,
they had plenty of chances. We didn’t stay compact enough. We’re improving. Then there’s the goal we conceded, it’s the sort of goal I don’t like, because I put myself in the goalkeeper’s shoes: he makes two incredible saves, keeping the match open for us to win. And just as a striker loves scoring a goal, a goalkeeper loves going home without conceding. And the goal we conceded today is very typical of a 20-year-old. Panicking when you see how much time is left on the clock… feeling comfortable. The goalkeeper really likes to go home without conceding a goal. And the goal we conceded today, the one against Sevilla too, is the goal of someone who’s feeling comfortable, who knows the match is as good as won, and I don’t like that.”
Mourinho on Vinícius’ state of mind
“Whether or not he’s feeling down is a very personal matter. It’s something I think you might have your own views on, but I believe only he can openly say what he does or doesn’t feel. As a manager, I’m pleased with his performance. People always expect more from Vinícius Júnior; they always expect him to be decisive on his own, but he put in a performance that I liked. Of the three forwards, he was the one with the greatest responsibility in terms of the team’s defensive balance. Leipzig’s right-back was a player who cut inside, between the lines. He closed down the space very well. Only once did the ball get into the central area. Then, with the ball in an attacking situation, he wasn’t spectacular, but he was balanced and didn’t lose possession. He produced a lovely piece of play where the goalkeeper made a great save, and the substitution wasn’t one made by a manager who was unhappy. It’s a substitution made by a manager who has a strong bench, a bench that I knew could inject fresh momentum into the match, with players like Yan Diomande and Endrick Felipe. I knew I had this bench at my disposal. And you’ll have to get used to it, because it’s going to happen often: I’ll take off a player who isn’t playing badly to bring on a player who I think can offer something different. I understand your point about needing everyone’s support. That’s true. I think my answer is straightforward: yes. Anyone on the pitch who’s booed away from home often gets a boost of motivation. When it happens at home, it hurts, but I, as manager, am happy with what he’s done.”
Mourinho on Valverde as a right-back for El Clásico
“No, I’m not going to talk about Sunday’s match. Not even on Saturday, if you ask me the same question; I won’t answer that on Saturday either. I’m very honest. What I can say is that today, once again, in a match that wasn’t easy, the 4–1 result is down more to the second half than to the first half, where we could even have conceded first. Federico Valverde did well defensively, and then got forward very well. Our team on the right flank linked up very well, with Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva and Federico Valverde, it was very fluid. We created a lot down that flank and Federico Valverde put in a brilliant performance.”
Mourinho on Camavinga’s performance
“Eduardo Camavinga had a great game. Obviously, against Sevilla, Arda Güler and Aurélien Tchouaméni worked very well in that area and, by making two-for-two substitutions, if things had gone wrong, people would surely have said I’d been thinking about El Clásico because I’d made too many changes, but I had the confidence they give me through what they do every day. Another player who isn’t starting matches is Brahim Díaz, and every time he’s on the pitch I really like what he does. We’re back to the issue of meritocracy. I honestly need something I can buy on Amazon or that I can measure, because I’m very happy with the lads. The situation with Federico Valverde at right-back is something that bothers me a bit. Personally, I find it hard to leave out two right-backs to play Federico Valverde, but the players work really hard. Tomorrow we’ll be back at it: the lads who played will be recovering; those who haven’t played or have played very little will always give it their all, just as we do. And that’s it, I’m happy.”
Mourinho on the referee being leaked for El Clásico
“No, I don’t think it’s true. Or, if it is true, well, it’s taken out of context, because the referee is officially appointed 24 hours before the match. That’s official. It’s this sort of information that I don’t like. I’m not talking about the referee. I’m talking about this sort of information that I don’t like.”
Mourinho on Bernardo Silva
“He’s a great player and he’s had a brilliant match. Another player who hadn’t been in the starting line-up for a few matches. When the team has a player like him or like Arda Güler in midfield, they have more options going forward, they have more control, and he’s a very good player. He brings more pace to the transition, in getting the ball out to the forwards. I’m very pleased. And, as I was saying earlier, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler put in a brilliant performance against Sevilla. Substituting them in a match we had to win, because I reckon this Champions League group stage is going to require a lot of points. A lot of points to finish in the top eight. And, in that sense, we need to pick up as many points as possible. At the moment we have nine. We’re very close to qualifying for the play-offs, but we have to win matches. And when I make substitutions today, I don’t do so to say: ‘OK, we’ve got six points and it’s no big deal. It’s not a huge deal.’ And Bernardo Silva has made me forget about Arda Güler, and Eduardo Camavinga has made me forget about Aurélien Tchouaméni. And Bernardo Silva is a great player.”
Mourinho on where Courtois ranks among the best goalkeepers he’s coached
“I’ve never done that, you know? I’ve never said anything about my players. I’m often asked: ‘Do you pick your best eleven?’ The best eleven from your 20 years as a manager – I’ve always refused to do that. But what I can tell you is that the best goalkeeper in Premier League history is Petr Čech. When Thibaut Courtois arrived at about 20 years old, Thibaut Courtois played and we won the Premier League with Thibaut Courtois in goal and with Petr Čech, the best of them all. And despite all his Premier League records, he only played in the cup competitions that season, so there’s no comparison. If I say… I’ve seen that Julio César will ring me in two minutes and say: ‘Ah, Thibaut Courtois is the best, but you won the Champions League with me.’ Julio César will ring me in two minutes, for sure. I’ve always had this respect for my former players, but you know, this guy is…”
