Mourinho’s Assessment of Pre-Season Performance
Real Madrid continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 victory against Ferencvaros at the Ferencvaros Stadion. Mario Rivas opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 41st minute, converting a cross from Alexis Ciria. Early in the second half, Carlos Espi extended the lead following a collective play involving Arda Guler and Fede Valverde.
After the match, manager Jose Mourinho thanked Ferencvaros for the training session, noting their high intensity from having already played five Europa League games and domestic league matches. He expressed satisfaction with the first half, stating that the team had good control of the game, which he attributed to having worked more with those players.
Mourinho was less pleased with the team’s organization in the second half. He mentioned that the introduction of players like Vinicius Junior and Bernardo Silva, who had limited minutes, and Endrick changing positions, led to a loss of organization. Despite this, Mourinho viewed these pre-season errors as valuable learning opportunities for his squad. He also highlighted the lack of late-game management, specifically mentioning a dangerous free-kick given away, and stressed the importance of knowing what to do in such situations.
Bernardo Silva’s Debut and Physical Condition
Bernardo Silva, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester City on a two-year contract this summer, made his debut in the match. Mourinho offered an honest assessment of the midfielder’s physical condition, noting that Silva arrived at pre-season at a low physical level. Mourinho explained that Silva is one of those players who benefits mentally from not doing anything during vacation, and he needs to improve his fitness.
Silva had represented Portugal at the World Cup earlier in the summer, where his team exited in the round of 16 against Spain. Mourinho adjusted Silva’s role during the game due to his lack of sharpness, moving him to the No. 10 position. Mourinho indicated that Silva is a versatile player capable of playing in three or four different positions.
Silva expressed his motivations for joining Real Madrid, stating that it was impossible to decline the club’s offer. He cited the club’s proximity to Portugal, similar cultural roots, and its trophy history as significant factors. Silva described Real Madrid as the world’s greatest football institution and the best club in football history. He also recalled the atmosphere of the Santiago Bernabéu, having experienced it as an opponent, and now looks forward to playing there as a home player.
Upon his arrival at Valdebebas, Silva quickly associated himself with the club’s culture, praising the collective focus and tempo observed during his initial training session. He mentioned established relationships with several teammates from previous encounters, which he believes will aid his integration. Silva intends to bring a strong team ethic, adaptability, and a desire to elevate the performance of his teammates.
Vinicius Junior’s Contract Renewal and Future Outlook
Mourinho also commented on Vinicius Junior, focusing on the positive news of the Brazilian’s recent contract extension until 2032. This renewal concluded months of uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. Mourinho stated that the contract renewal is a joy for both Vinicius Junior and the club.
Regarding Vinicius Junior’s performance in the match, Mourinho acknowledged that players with few training sessions might enter a game with tired legs. He did not expect Vinicius Junior to perform at his explosive best immediately, stating, “I didn’t expect him to run 50 meters with the ball and score.” Mourinho expressed confidence that the fitness levels of his key attackers would improve rapidly, anticipating better performances in upcoming fixtures.
The manager’s connections with Silva are notable, as Silva expressed admiration for Mourinho, recalling following his teams as a young Portuguese player. Silva noted Mourinho’s role in enhancing Portugal’s global footballing profile and looks forward to working under him for the first time. Silva also mentioned footballing inspirations such as Zidane, Rui Costa, and Luka Modrić. Real Madrid’s next fixtures include matches against Deportivo La Coruna on August 12 and Schalke on August 16.
Source: goal.com
