Mourinho: Problems Will Arise, This is the Case for Endrick and Tchouaméni

Jose Mourinho, the head coach of Real Madrid, addressed several important issues before the match against Malaga, focusing on his approach to managing the attacking stars, as well as the status of Endrick and Tchouaméni's return, and his concerns regarding the international break. He also praised Carlo Ancelotti and emphasized the importance of the starting lineup.

The coach stated that he grants his attacking players complete freedom on the pitch. Mourinho said: "When you have players of incredible quality, they make the coach look like a genius. They do things that go beyond daily work; we focus on defense and attack. Today, the 45 minutes of training were dedicated to offensive organization. We work on tactical drawings and movements. And when the moment of difficulty arrives, they are the ones who decide matches. We must give them space for their creativity and their ability to make decisions. At the same time, there must be a system and organization. We are evolving in this aspect."

Carlo Ancelotti discussed the fitness of Aurelien Tchouaméni, stating: "Endrick is the closest to returning. I don't want to risk him against Betis, and I say that honestly. He may be ready for the Betis match or the first Champions League game. The other cases are more complicated; regarding Tchouaméni, we need to manage emotions. I don't want him to come in and then go out, then come in and go out again. I don't want to start the season in August in such a situation. I hope Tchouaméni is in good shape, and I prefer to wait a little longer."

The Portuguese coach addressed the impact of the international break on Real Madrid, stating: "National team matches worry me. It's a long period. The players who go with their national teams concern me less than those who are called up but do not participate. Those worry me a lot. My relationship with Carlo Ancelotti keeps me informed about the situation, and we will exchange data. With Carlo, there won't be a problem. However, with others whom I do not have that trust with, having players out of the club for three weeks is very complicated."

He stressed: "We will trust in the professionalism of these coaches, and in their respect for the players and clubs. I don't want to make it dramatic. Injuries often happen with the national team, then the player returns to the club and loses the balance in the work they were doing, and after weeks the injury comes back. This is football, and there isn't much that can be done."

When asked whether coaching the team or managing the group is the harder task, Mourinho said: "Ancelotti is great at everything. He has no weaknesses. He is a fantastic coach at all levels; I don't feel that anything is difficult. I see things naturally. Problems are a natural part of the game. We haven't faced the first problem yet, but it will come. Whether it's tactical or related to group management, it's normal for that to happen. It should be dealt with naturally and managed naturally."

Regarding Ancelotti's comments about journalists exaggerating the focus on the starting lineup, Mourinho said: "If we go to the match tomorrow and even an hour and a half before it starts, the opponent doesn't know our lineup, I prefer that. But if the lineup is revealed today, it's not a dramatic issue."

He stressed the need for the team to work as a unit, saying: "Real Madrid goes to the Santiago Bernabéu to watch these different players, but it will also go to see a team that plays as a team, suffers as a team, faces difficulties as a team, and crushes the opponent as a team. I am the coach of this team, and I love the players I have very much."

He explained: "The thing that worries me is when you make too many structural changes. We play with three defenders, and with Espi and Kylian together. If we do something outside of what the Málaga coach can expect, then it becomes important."

Discussing the team's routine before matches: "There are two types of focus. The type you're talking about, being together and sleeping in a hotel or at Valdebebas... But the focus that matters to me is the one that's here, in the head. It has nothing to do with sleeping in a hotel; sometimes I feel sad because you only see warm-ups and short group training sessions. In the other work, there is a lot of focus, and that's what matters to me. Sleeping or not sleeping depends on the circumstances. Today we won't do that. The players are together now, and we have a tactical meeting, we'll eat together, and we'll stay together for a while, and then we'll meet in the morning. Espi, Cucurella, and I will sleep here, while the others will go back to their homes."

Mourinho concluded his remarks by stating: "As for the difference between Carriço and Cucurella, it's not a dramatic matter. The positive feeling when the lineup doesn't show is that no one has talked about it; neither the players, nor the equipment staff, nor the doctors... But if it does show up, it's not dramatic."