Real Madrid Aims for Sixth Straight Win Against Racing Santander
Real Madrid will seek to extend their winning streak to six games when they face Racing Santander at El Sardinero tomorrow. The Merengues are riding high after an impressive October, securing vital victories against AS Roma and RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League, and most recently triumphing over Barcelona in La Liga. These results have narrowed the gap to the league leaders to just three points.
As fixtures continue to pile up, Jose Mourinho and his squad are determined to maintain their momentum by claiming three more points against the newly-promoted La Liga side. Ahead of the match, Mourinho spoke to the media during his pre-match press conference and reflected on the team’s uplifting mood following their recent successes.
Mourinho also expressed his condolences for those affected by a tragic train crash in Urda, stating, “Before we begin, I just wanted to express, on behalf of myself and everyone who works for Real Madrid… our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Urda. Our heartfelt sympathies and support.”
Team’s Preparation and Challenges
Discussing the team’s mental state after their 2-1 win over Real Sociedad last weekend, Mourinho noted, “We’re doing well, we’re working hard. We’ve prepared well for this match.” However, he acknowledged the challenge posed by Racing Santander’s home form, highlighting, “Five games after being promoted to La Liga, Racing has played five matches at El Sardinero, with three wins and two draws. They’re playing well.”
Mourinho warned about the unique circumstances surrounding the Sunday afternoon fixture, saying, “The match is on a Sunday afternoon, something we’re not used to anymore. It’s difficult. The last victory has great significance if we win again; otherwise, it won’t be the same.”
He underlined the importance of respecting Racing’s tactical approach, remarking, “They’ll play with that ambition to win. They won’t catch us off guard. We know how difficult it will be.”
Reflecting on the aftermath of the Clasico victory, Mourinho commented, “No. Ever since we started, and we started by winning games… I’ve always seen the same empathy, respect, willingness to work, and balance in victory and defeat.”
Continuing with his analysis, he added, “When we started preparing for this match, I saw seriousness. And I’m very happy about this maturity. Our goal for the season isn’t just to win a game against Barcelona, but to win the championship. And we’re trying to stay on that path.”
Ballon d’Or and Upcoming Matches
The recent Ballon d’Or ceremony saw Harry Kane winning the prestigious prize, finishing ahead of Real Madrid’s star Kylian Mbappe. Reflecting on this, Mourinho congratulated Kane, stating, “I’ve had the privilege of working with Harry. He’s a great player, a great professional, a great person.”
While happy for Kane, Mourinho expressed disappointment over Mbappe’s runner-up status, adding, “Kylian is unique… But there’s only one best player in the history of the World Cup. It’s something absolutely unique. And Kylian is unique.”
Looking ahead, Real Madrid faces a challenging run of three away matches against Racing, AEK Athens, and Valencia. Mourinho cautioned, “This stretch is dangerous. Every match is dangerous, especially away from home. Racing hasn’t lost at home. The difficulties are piling up.”
Mourinho also commented on the recent controversy involving Mbappe’s remarks in China and the subsequent reactions, saying, “My club is Real Madrid and Mbappe is my player… He has class. The way he interpreted the Ballon d’Or is classy.”
Squad Dynamics and Player Situations
Regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation amid competition for the right-back position, Mourinho remarked, “It hurts… But the team matters more.” He emphasized that everyone’s role is focused on collective success and that he does not expect any requests for transfers.
In discussing Vinicius Jr.’s return from suspension, Mourinho clarified that there is no defined starting eleven, as modern football demands flexibility. “Today’s football isn’t what it was 10 years ago… It’s a very good situation to have,” he concluded.
With the team’s sights set on continued success, Real Madrid’s squad prepares for the upcoming challenges, aiming to maintain their winning momentum into the next phase of the season.
