José Mourinho appeared again in the press room of the Valdebebas Stadium with the same serious expression that characterizes him, before the game against Sevilla that will be played this Sunday in LaLiga. In his speech, the Portuguese coach addressed both the physical situation of the squad and the internal tensions that have arisen after the match in Rome, where Real Madrid suffered an unexpected defeat.
The first issue that stood out was the fatigue of the players. Mourinho explained that, according to the medical department, several members of the team have accumulated too much workload and are exhausted, but that the next day they will recover and other options in the squad can be taken advantage of. “Sevilla is a solid rival and we will count on the good work of Luís García, who has shown outstanding performance,” he added, underlining the importance of physical preparation and player rotation to keep the team competitive.
Regarding tactics, the coach asked the midfielders to adopt a comprehensive vision of the game. "A midfielder who only defends or only attacks is limited; to be top level it is necessary to be versatile and contribute in all areas," he said. Mourinho also made reference to the need to value the work of young players, such as Arda Güler, who at 21 years old already shows multifunctional potential that the coach considers very valuable.
The topic of Vinicius Jr. was another central point of the interview. Mourinho acknowledged that the striker's performance in Rome was questionable, but stressed that the coach does not focus on luck but on consistent performance. “Vinicius' future is to work more, and I don't promise anything, but I trust that he will continue to be a starter,” he said. In addition, he highlighted the positive relationship he maintains with the player and the importance of his character and smile for the locker room atmosphere.
In relation to the squad and the winter market, Mourinho made it clear that he is not looking for additional signings. "I am satisfied with the current staff and I prefer a reduced staff; if someone comes in, someone else must leave," he explained. He also mentioned that the team's management is based on his own analysis and the opinion of the staff, but that the final decisions are his.
Finally, the coach concluded that Real Madrid is increasingly aware of the challenges it faces in Spanish and world football. “Madrid fans better understand the demands that the club must face,” he stated, before saying goodbye and preparing the team for the duel with Sevilla, where physical recovery and group cohesion will be key to avoiding another unexpected defeat.