MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – José Mourinho spoke on the eve of the match against Málaga, the third round of La Liga. The Portuguese coach assessed the team’s condition: “We have a strong squad and solutions to compensate for any issues,” he said. “Some players had a different pre-season preparation. Cucurella will start tomorrow, while Alvaro—who played well in the first two matches—will be on the bench. If Cucu needs to be replaced, we have Alvaro.” Regarding Diomande: “He was one of the last to arrive after a difficult summer. He didn’t have a training foundation with Leipzig and is gradually improving. He has already played some important minutes. Tomorrow he could start or come on during the match; he is increasingly ready.”
Mourinho then discussed the Vinicius-Mbappé duo: “Quality is the key factor, but the rapport between two people matters too. There is friendship and collaboration between them. When you combine personal rapport with extraordinary quality, you have everything needed to improve. The dynamic isn’t just ‘two plus nine,’ but eleven.” He also had high praise for Bellingham: “He is unique and crucial to the team. He possesses physical, mental, and tactical qualities; he wins back possession, scores goals, and is strong in the air. I am very happy with all my players. People go to the Bernabéu to see the stars, but also to see a team that plays, fights, and wins together.”
Mourinho has a clear view on the Ballon d’Or: “You can’t award the prize simply because someone won the Champions League or the World Cup. To me, it should go to those players who, when they retire, are missed forever. The Ballon d’Or also has a political component, and I like it less when politics gets involved. Being the best player is something else entirely.” The coach also praised Thiago Pitarch: “There isn’t a single player from Castilla that I don’t like. Thiago has shown he has outgrown that level. I really like him, and he will be part of the squad. When he’s fit, he’ll get his minutes.” Regarding what is more difficult—managing the squad or coaching them—and referring to Ancelotti: “He is a great man in every respect. He has no weak points. I don’t feel there is anything difficult about it. I see it as something natural. Problems are a natural part of life. We haven’t had our first problem yet, but it will come. Whether it’s tactical or related to squad management, it’s normal for it to happen. You have to view it as a natural occurrence and handle it as such.” Finally, Mourinho spoke about injured players and the international break: “Tchouameni is the closest to returning, but I don’t want to take any risks. I prefer to wait and have him fully available. International breaks worry me—especially regarding players who get called up but don’t play. Three weeks away from the club can be complicated.”
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
