Mourinho: This Style Against Vinicius Doesn't Please Me

Jose Mourinho, the head coach of Real Madrid, appeared before the media at the press conference for the upcoming match against Real Sociedad, scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where the Portuguese manager touched on several topics.

The coach spoke about returning to the Bernabéu: "In the end, it's one of 19 matches at home. Every point is important, as is the point we might lose. We respect our opponent; they have identity and quality, which will make the match difficult for us. At the Bernabéu, we expect the support of our fans. I hope the team has the same desire to win matches, the same mentality, flexibility, and strength, along with calmness. I hope the fans can recognize this mentality in the team."

He added in his remarks: "We have a core structure that includes players with a good level. Reaching the required level needs good management between not playing too much and not playing at all. I involved some players for 30 minutes. We rely on scientific data and goals, along with my vision, as well as the player's own feelings."

He completed: "Is returning to Santiago Bernabéu special for you? What kind of reception do you expect? I don't want the fans to welcome me in a special way. I want the team to be welcomed with their passion. Perhaps it seemed at the end of last season that this love turned into a complicated relationship, but I believe there is a different feeling now. I am not important; the team is what matters. I am capable of controlling my emotions and playing normally, even though the match is not normal, as we need to win these three points. I want the team to feel something different from what they felt last season. We are together."

He added: "Do you see that refereeing treats Vinicius differently than Lamine Yamal? I haven't watched every match of Real Madrid and Barcelona last season. To be honest, I didn't follow them week after week. But I felt in the friendly matches and even outside Spain that there is a clear difference in how opponents feel they can deal with Vinicius. If they feel they can do something, they do it; it’s like little kids, they go as far as you let them. On the pitch, it’s the same. If I can hit Vinicius with words or physically, and if the yellow card only comes after 10 fouls, and if I can get close to assaulting him... that’s a style I don’t like."

He stressed: "I want Vinícius to have greater control over his emotions, but if he is assaulted after three minutes, that is a situation that warrants a red card. After watching the match, from a technical standpoint, the referee was very good, but there was a potential second yellow card for a player from Espanyol; I liked the officiating a lot. As for the red card due to that assault, I understand that the referee did not see it, nor did the fourth official who was in front of the incident, but the video technology did not do its job well."

He stated: "Do I trust Spanish referees? Before the match, always and forever. And the same in the Champions League. After the match, there are sometimes things I don't like. If the question is about the past, I have no doubt. I don't think there are Spanish referees who enter the pitch thinking they are friends with Negreira. I stand by the integrity of Spanish referees. Refereeing affects the results. We saw that in the Atletico match, and in Rayo's game against Sevilla, but these are things that can happen."

He continued: "Vinicius is constantly facing provocation... Do you want to change anything in how he deals with these matters? There are things happening on the pitch and off it. His reaction to the crowd, the traditional insults from ordinary fans, can be managed. He can also improve his relationship with rival supporters. But fouls and penalties are the referee's responsibility. I was not a player, but if I started a match and was fouled, my personality might have led me to get sent off after a minute. The referee must protect all players and safeguard the game."

He continued: "For years, I have felt calmer and have greater control over my emotions. At this level, yes. But I still don't know how to deal with difficult and frustrating situations that will come. I haven't seen any lazy players, and that doesn't please me. I want them to work for Real Madrid. I haven't seen that; rather, I've seen that they want to give their best. They protect me from the dark side of my personality, perhaps."

Regarding the team list: "For me, yes, it is complete. But the transfer market is still open. You never know what might happen. Perhaps a player comes to me and says he wants to leave because I've kept him on the bench for two matches. Right now, no, and I also don't know if the president or José Ángel will call me with an offer I can't refuse. In my mind, the squad is complete. And if one of the players leaves, I won't be happy. I want to keep this group."

Regarding the synergy between Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham, he stated: "The coach's problem is not having world-class players. Or if one of them gets injured, I suffered from that in recent years when I wasn't at the best clubs in Europe, I want all three together. The positive things they have compensate for the things that may not be fully tactically compatible. In this aspect, I can help them."