RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Jose Mourinho talks Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham and Valverde after Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad
Real Madrid bulldozed past Real Sociedad in the first home game of their new season, but it was a game of two halves.
The visitors swiftly equalised Real Madrid’s opener and entered half-time on level terms. After the break, however, the hosts took matters to a new level.
Returning to the field after the half-time hiatus, Real Madrid put three goals into the back of the net in just over half an hour, sealing a 4-1 win and taking away all three points.
Mourinho’s post-game remarks
Jose Mourinho spoke to the media on the pitch side after the win last night and gave his immediate reaction to the team’s performance.
“I would’ve loved to have a cooling break today, at about the 25th minute,” he began jovially, referring to the team’s poor performance in the opening spell.
“Real Sociedad really surprised us, they’re very good, and at first we found it very hard to press them. We got much better in the 2nd half,” he added on the overall flow of the game.
Mourinho praised his players after beating Real Sociedad. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Praising his men for the performance they delivered across the park, Mourinho said,
“We were fantastic as a team and as individuals. The centre-backs were dominant, the midfielders were machines, and obviously the guys upfront, incredible.”
“Kylian, Jude, Vini, Bernardo, Federico, the centre-backs too. All of them were fantastic. I don’t like to talk individually but what Kylian Mbappé has done is insane.”
Mourinho’s press conference
The Real Madrid manager then proceeded to address the media in his post-game press conference where he was first asked about his return to the Santiago Bernabeu and how it felt.
“My return to the Bernabeu was normal, I don’t feel nervous anymore before games.”
“Last time I came to the Bernabeu with Benfica, I watched the game in the parking lot. This time, I was on the bench,” he added jovially.
The manager then praised Kylian Mbappe for his hat-trick and ability to influence games at any point in time.
“Kylian Mbappé? This guy is amazing. Many players win the World Cup, but only one goes to eternity. That’s Mbappé.”
“I don’t like comparing Cristiano Ronaldo to Kylian Mbappé, but this guy (Mbappé) is incredible,” he added.
Vinicius Jr. also got on the scoresheet against Real Sociedad, but there were a few whistles towards the player from the stands. Addressing the same, the manager, said,
Mourinho was extremely content with the result. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
“We already know the Bernabéu. Thank goodness they’re like that. The demand comes from history. The fans want more. Being a fan is one thing, and being a coach or player is another.”
“What did I say to Vinicius Junior when I took him off? We speak the same language, joking is easier that way.
“ If he hadn’t scored, I would never have taken him off. I took him off because he needs to rest a little, there is a game in three days,” he added.
Towards the end, Mourinho was asked what he changed tactically to open the game up in the second half.
“We made some adjustments, and in the second half we scored four goals, and it could have been five or six.”
“But it would also have been unfair to Real Sociedad, who delivered. In the second half, they faced clear difficulties against a team with players like Kylian and like Jude, they have so much and so much quality,” he concluded.
Source: Real Madrid official website
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