Mourinho talks about Diomande, Tchouameni, Valverde, Vinicius,
According to Sports.
Context
Mourinho underlined the importance of building a cohesive team rather than a perfect starting eleven, highlighting the need for good synergy between new signings and existing players. The match against Espanyol, who has already started the season with a victory, represents an opportunity to test the team's dynamics and preparation in view of the next La Liga matches.
Why it matters
The match between Real Madrid and Espanyol marks the start of the La Liga season and represents a crucial test for Mourinho. The team's preparation has been complicated by injuries and staggered returns, making a good performance crucial to establishing morale and confidence. The ability to integrate key players such as Vinicius, Mbappé and Bellingham will be crucial to Real Madrid's success this season.
Key points
- Mourinho talks about Diomande, Tchouameni, Valverde, Vinicius.
- José Mourinho discusses his plans and challenges ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga opener against Espanyol, underlining the importance of team competition and the integration of key players such as Vinicius, Mbappé and Bellingham.
- Mourinho talks Diomande, Tchouameni, Valverde, Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham, Khedira ahead of Espanyol vs Real Madrid - .
José Mourinho, on the eve of his first competitive match in charge of Real Madrid, has made it clear that he is not trying to form a perfect starting eleven, but rather the best team available. His words come in view of the highly anticipated match against Espanyol, where he addressed various topics, from uncertainties about injuries to the competition in the squad, up to the question of the renewed presence of Vinicius Jr. and the possible integration of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham into the team's game.
Mourinho highlighted that Espanyol presents itself as a well-prepared opponent, having already started the new La Liga season with a victory. "They are a good team. Teams that have had the same coach for a long time are usually well organised, with consolidated routines and dynamics. They play well and with ambition. They already have three points, three goals scored and none conceded, and the fans are happy. We are ready to face what awaits us," said the Portuguese coach.
The Real Madrid coach also mentioned the difficulties in preparing the team, with players returning at different stages in their summer preparations. "There are players who have already had 36 training sessions and six matches, while others have only played a few matches and had five training sessions. If you ask me if I would like another week, I would say yes. But we are tired of friendlies; we want real matches. The injured players from last season have been out for a long time and I don't expect them to return in two or three weeks. The only absentee who is not injured is Endrick. Tchouameni is fine, he just needs to train to speed up his recovery. He has arrived in a condition that It doesn't allow him to be ready for this match."
Regarding new signing Yan Diomande, Mourinho welcomed the youngster's declarations of commitment, underlining that words must translate into action. "Words are easy. It is more difficult to implement what you say. Diomande's statements are no different from those of others. We don't have a perfect team, it doesn't exist. I don't think I won't face problems, there will be. But fundamentally, the squad is strong."
Regarding the management of Tchouameni and Valverde, Mourinho said he had already received sufficient information to consider the matter resolved. "I came with a lot of information. I decided to start from scratch. I didn't feel the need to talk to Tchouameni. I saw that everything went back to normal. I didn't need to talk, I didn't have to exert any influence to restore peace. It's not about peace, but about normality, friendship and cooperation. It's as if nothing had happened."
Mourinho also highlighted the importance of finding the right tactical balance to integrate Vinicius, Mbappé and Bellingham. "They are incredible players. High level players get frustrated when playing with those who are not up to par. Tactically, it can be more difficult to get them to play together. Ancelotti has found the perfect partner for Vini, Deschamps for Kylian and Tuchel for Jude. It is more difficult to find a perfect fit for all three in my style. They have to do it because they believe that I can make it work. They are all high level players. Their positions are not incompatible. We will have a great season with them."
Finally, Mourinho said he was satisfied with Vinicius' decision to renew his contract with Real Madrid, underlining that the important thing was the player's desire to stay at the club. "It wasn't a surprise. When they explained it to me, my first question was, 'Do you want to stay or not?'. They told me he wants to stay, and I was relieved. I don't want to say whether he's in the top ten, but he's one of the best, and the best have to be here."
With the match against Espanyol upon us, it remains to be seen who Mourinho's starting eleven will be. However, the manager preferred not to reveal his plans: "My first starting eleven... let's see who has the best connections. The players already know who will play. I don't have an ideal eleven. I want to keep the door open to competition. If we talk about high-level players – Trent, Dumfries, Cucurella, Carreras... – it's not possible to think that one will play 50 games and another 10. It's not possible. We have a lot of quality."
Mourinho concluded by addressing the transfer market, saying that another midfielder could strengthen the team, but it is not an emergency. "I don't think we lack players. A midfielder would be the icing on the cake. We already have Tchouameni, Bernardo, Arda... Over time, he will be able to play in those positions. We don't have a problem. Furthermore, he confirmed that there will be academy players on the bench. "Tomorrow, Cestero, Ciria and Rivas will be on the bench. We don't have a particularly large roster. These guys worked well with us."
Finally, he explained why he chose Sami Khedira in his staff: "In every club I like to have someone from the organisation. During my first period, it was Aitor, now world champion. I thought of players from my time at Real Madrid who fit the profile that I like. I narrowed it down to two or three names. The first time I spoke to him, I had a good feeling. He told me: 'If I have to go tomorrow, I will go tomorrow.' It understands the mentality,” he concluded.
What happens now
After the match against Espanyol, Real Madrid will face a busy schedule in La Liga, where every match will have a significant impact on the title race. Mourinho will have to carefully monitor the physical conditions of his players and manage rotations to keep the team's competitiveness high. The team's response in this first match will be crucial in outlining the expectations and direction of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Real Madrid's recent form?
Real Madrid is preparing to face Espanyol after a series of friendly matches, but Mourinho underlined that the team is ready for real matches.
Are there any injuries or absences at Real Madrid?
The only non-injured absentee is Endrick. Tchouameni is fine but needs to train to speed up his recovery.
What are the expectations for the match against Espanyol?
Mourinho declared that Espanyol are a well-prepared opponent, having already started the La Liga season with a victory.
What is the importance of the Espanyol-Real Madrid match?
The match is significant as it represents Mourinho's first official competition at the helm of Real Madrid.
Who are the key players mentioned by Mourinho?
Mourinho spoke about Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni ahead of the match.
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