José Mourinho appeared in the press room of the Olympic Stadium in Rome after the Champions League result against Villarreal, where his team was left without triumph. The Portuguese coach, who did not attend the press conference after the match, took advantage of the space to comment on Real Madrid's situation before the next duel against Roma, which will be played at 9:00 p.m. on the second day of the group stage.
In his speech, Mourinho stressed the importance of tactical preparation and the need to “play very well” against Roma, a rival who, according to him, is motivated to compete in the Champions League again and has an audience that “plays”. The coach recalled that in the first two games of the season they faced the strongest teams in Italy, and that the objective is to get the necessary points to advance without letting the pressure of the competition affect the team. “We want to win,” he said, although he also emphasized that the pressure must be managed internally.
The issue of refereeing in the match against Villarreal was the most controversial point of his speech. Mourinho expressed his dissatisfaction with the practice of announcing the referee three weeks in advance, when the rule establishes that the appointment must be made 24 hours in advance. “I trust all the referees, but what seems strange to me is that it is announced so much time in advance,” he explained. Regarding the performance of referee Manuel Bruña, the coach was reserved and suggested that fans watch the first minute of the match to understand any controversy, insinuating that the controversy is resolved in that short period.
The coach also spoke about Fede Valverde's position in the team, highlighting that the player has been a key piece in Real Madrid's strategy. Mourinho commented that Valverde has played different roles, from right back to midfield, and that his versatility has been fundamental to the club's recent success. Furthermore, the coach emphasized that his priority is always the club and its fans, and that any action that makes them happy is welcome.
To conclude, Mourinho projected an optimistic vision about the future of the campaign. He noted that Real Madrid and Roma have a chance of advancing to the later stages of the Champions League, and that the next match will be “just another one,” without the pressure that usually accompanies decisive matches. The coach closed with a personal reflection on his “honeymoon” with Madrid, indicating that he feels renewed and ready to continue working at the club.