Jose Mourinho talks Valverde, Vinicius, Jesus de Miguel ahead of AEK Athens vs Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho talks Valverde, Vinicius, Jesus de Miguel ahead of AEK Athens vs Real Madrid Following the 3-0 win over Racing Club in La Liga, Real Madrid are now set to return to action in the UEFA Champions League as they will be playing their fourth League Phase game against AEK Athens in the Greek capital. As Diario AS has reported, Jose Mourinho spoke to the press ahead of this game, and talked about different aspects related to his team. Talking about the upcoming game, the Portuguese manager highlighted how difficult it could be despite the apparent disparity between the two teams: “We have to approach this seriously. We are close to qualifying… for the play-offs! But we are a long way from qualifying directly for the Round of 16. And we need points. We have to play a serious match against a team that is strong, particularly at home. I think the fact that Real Madrid, if I’m not mistaken, have only won one European match in Athens… Out of eight, they have won just once. I think that says something. So… we have to give it everything and take the match seriously. We have to try to maintain our level of play because we need points. We cannot afford to make things easy for them.” The Real Madrid coach expressed his sorrow on the passing of Jesus de Miguel: “Those are the words of everyone. I think this is something that has a profound impact on the world in general, so just imagine what it means for the football world. Especially for people like us, who are out on the pitch every day, competing. It is difficult and sad. Obviously, all our thoughts and feelings are with the family and friends of the player who passed away. I also think this must be an extremely difficult moment for the other player involved in the incident (Owono). It is sad for everyone.” While admitting that the win in Rome gave his Real Madrid side an emotional boost, Mourinho did not believe that it was a turning point for his team: “No… (Pause). I think that, from an emotional point of view, it obviously has an impact. You are losing a match that seems to be beyond saving, and then you come back and win it. Obviously, emotionally, that can always leave you with something positive. But as far as a turning point in terms of our football is concerned… I don’t think so. I believe more in the process than in the moment itself. We are getting to know each other better all the time. Every training session gives us the opportunity to improve, just as every match does. We are also discovering more about one another. Every experience we go through gives us a better understanding of each other. I get to know the players, the players get to know me, and the players get to know their own teammates better. It is this accumulation of work and experience that makes teams better. I am not a great believer in these so-called ‘turning points’.” When asked if he can reach the same level he reached during his first stint with the Merengue club, the Portuguese coach refrained from making any comparisons: “No… no… I don’t like making comparisons. Not between players, teams or different periods. I don’t like it. We are talking about something that happened many years ago. I really don’t like it. This team undoubtedly has enormous potential. The other team had it too and won a lot of trophies. They won only three with me, but then continued winning trophies for many years. This team hasn’t won anything yet; it is just getting started. So let’s see what the future brings. But I am very happy… very happy with the squad and the players I have.” Similarly, the Real Madrid coach did not sound too excited when asked about his chances of winning his third UCL title: “What would be different? (Thinks) It would be my third… my third Champions League title with three different clubs. It would mean winning it with the biggest club in the world. But we are talking about hypothetical situations, and I prefer dealing with real ones. The reality is that we still need points just to qualify. Until we have qualified, I don’t like talking about the Round of 16. We have to collect points. We have nine so far, six of them against two very, very, very difficult teams. But we have to keep going. Tomorrow’s match will be difficult. But… after this unnecessary trip between two important league matches, now that we are here, we have to win.” Talking about Federico Valverde’s position going forward , Mourinho assured that he will play anywhere for the team: “I see him as an extremely important player for the team. And the fact that he is Real Madrid’s captain makes him look at things around him differently. When you are captain, you have to be different from when you are not; it is a different responsibility. I think that responsibility would make him play at left-back if he needed to play at left-back. Whatever his team and teammates need from him. That, to me, is what a captain is. That is why I am absolutely certain there will be no problem with Fede playing wherever he is needed. The truth is that the squad was built with Valverde as a central midfielder in mind, alongside two good right-backs… Different players, but both good. In this pre-season setup, Fede was a central midfielder. That means we do not have many options in midfield… and because we don’t have many, I am sure Fede will probably have to play in midfield again at some point. If you ask me whether I am very happy with him at right-back, yes. If you ask me whether the team is playing better with him at right-back, and whether we are developing better football down the right through the combinations between him and, usually, Arda, and whether the team is playing very well in that area, yes. But because of our needs in midfield, we have Bernardo, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Thiago… and that’s it. Today we have Sergio Martínez, who is, at this moment, a player… a player. That is why I think Fede will play at right-back because we all like him there very much. But he will certainly also have to play in midfield.” The Real Madrid manager identified Vinicius as the player who plays his best football on the left wing: “Well, you are also forgetting Brahim and Endrick… We have a lot of quality players in those positions. Erm… Having a lot of players is never a problem for me. The problem is having too few. The problem is not having options. Having plenty of players is a good thing. Diomande can play on either wing, Brahim can play on either wing, and Endrick… he is more suited to the right, but can also play on the left. Vini, out of all of them, is the player most accustomed to playing on the left wing. We know that.” The Portuguese coach once again highlighted what makes AEK Athens such a difficult opponent: “Look, it is a bit of everything. They are the champions. We have faced a lot of champions in this eight-match series. Greece has traditionally been a difficult place to play. Even Real Madrid, the kings of Europe, have played eight matches in Greece and, if I am not mistaken, have won only one. That was last season, and even then it was a difficult result to achieve. It has been many years since I last played here, but I have played here twice and experienced first-hand just how difficult it is to play in this kind of atmosphere. Also, they are a team with a very difficult Champions League schedule. They have been drawn against some very tough opponents. And they probably think what everyone thinks: playing at home is our best opportunity to pick up points. Then there is the added motivation that comes from playing against the white shirt. The white shirt carries enormous weight. I think every opponent who sees that white shirt is hugely motivated. It is an honour for us, but that is simply the reality. We expect a difficult match, and to win it, we have to be at our very best. If we are not at our very best, we will not win.” Lastly, Mourinho identified how long he would need to make this team play at its optimal level: “Three years. Three seasons.” Although looking quite easy on paper, the upcoming game against AEK Athens can still prove to be a challenge for Real Madrid, just as Jose Mourinho highlighted in his press conference. It will now be on the Portuguese coach to ensure his team keeps up its competitive level and get the desired result from this match tonight.