Real Madrid Prepares for UEFA Champions League Clash Against AEK Athens
Following a decisive 3-0 victory over Racing Club in La Liga, Real Madrid is gearing up to face AEK Athens in their fourth League Phase game of the UEFA Champions League in Greece.
Jose Mourinho spoke to the press about the upcoming match, emphasizing the potential challenges despite what may appear to be a 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,” Mourinho stated.
He noted the historical difficulty Real Madrid has faced in Athens:
“If I’m not mistaken, Real Madrid 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.”
Mourinho also expressed condolences over the passing of Jesus de Miguel, saying, “All our thoughts and feelings are with the family and friends of the player who passed away. This is something that profoundly impacts the world, especially for those of us in football.”
Reflecting on their recent win in Rome, Mourinho acknowledged an emotional boost but dismissed suggestions of it signifying a turning point for the team. “I believe more in the process than in the moment itself. Every training session gives us the opportunity to improve, just as every match does,” he stated, adding that the journey of getting to know each other is ongoing.
“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 about comparisons to his previous tenure at Real Madrid, Mourinho avoided them, saying he prefers to focus on the present team, which he believes has significant potential. “This team hasn’t won anything yet; it is just getting started. So let’s see what the future brings,” he added.
On the possibility of winning a third UEFA Champions League title, Mourinho remarked, “What would be different? It would be my third title with three different clubs, but the reality is we still need points just to qualify.” He stressed the importance of securing points, particularly against tough opponents like AEK Athens.
Mourinho confirmed Federico Valverde’s dedication, noting, “I see him as an extremely important player for the team… A captain has to be different.” He emphasized Valverde’s flexibility to play in various positions to help the team.
Highlighting the strengths of his squad, Mourinho stated, “We have many quality players. Having a lot of players is never a problem for me. The problem is having too few.”
Addressing the challenge posed by AEK Athens, Mourinho said, “Greece has traditionally been a difficult place to play… They are the champions. We expect a difficult match.” He added, “The white shirt carries enormous weight. We must be at our very best to win.”
Lastly, when asked about his timeline for optimizing the team’s performance, Mourinho answered with conviction, stating, “Three years. Three seasons.”
As Real Madrid prepares for tonight’s match against AEK Athens, they aim to maintain a competitive edge and secure the much-needed points in the Champions League.
