Real Madrid Secures Dominant Victory Over Valencia with 3-0 Win
Real Madrid concluded the second international break of the season with a convincing 3-0 victory against Valencia. The team showcased a strong performance, continuing their impressive form since the first international break.
In his post-match press conference, José Mourinho reflected on achieving a significant personal milestone while expressing frustration about the match fixture and other topics.
Record-Breaking Win Percentage
During the press conference, Mourinho learned he has become the coach with the highest win percentage in La Liga history, amassing 97 victories in 126 matches across two stints with Real Madrid.
“It tells me we have to win the next one. Because… in this life, the beautiful numbers, the ones that have some meaning… people forget. And we don’t feed on numbers from the past; we feed on the present. And we have to win the next one,” he remarked.
Real Madrid’s performance exemplified teamwork, and Mourinho commended his players for their defensive strength and development throughout the season. He emphasized the players’ contributions, saying, “It’s them. It’s them. The credit is for the players. I can’t identify anything in my work that’s the key to… to do it.”
Mourinho noted the team’s evolution and the importance of their possession play, highlighting moments of resilience when losing the ball.
“But in relation to what you say, there is an image in front of my bench, in the second half, where we have lost the ball, Arda is out of position and Kylian makes… a sprint to get to and to close the block on the right side. I think this is a good example,” he observed.
Controversies and Refereeing Issues
The encounter featured several controversies, including a late red card and hostile crowd reactions directed at Kylian Mbappe. Mourinho provided insights into the atmosphere at Mestalla, a venue known for its passionate supporters.
“Mestalla is… Mestalla is passion. Valencia, throughout history, has always been… a difficult stadium. A demanding stadium with its teams, with its players,” he explained. He attributed the heightened tensions to Valencia’s frustration against a dominant Real Madrid side.
Mourinho commented on the red card incident involving Mbappe and José Gaya’s tackle, noting his perspective from the bench. He affirmed, “The situation of the red, from a distance, seems very clear to me.”
He also addressed the protests among Valencia fans regarding ownership and structural issues, explaining the differences in matchday experiences between stadiums like Mestalla and the Bernabeu.
Fixture Congestion and International Break Concerns
Mourinho criticized La Liga’s tight scheduling, particularly following rigorous travels to Athens, Santander, and Valencia. He stressed the players’ need for rest during the upcoming international break, suggesting that fatigue could be a concern.
“A message to Tebas’ La Liga… I have to be humble, because they are the ones in power. And I ask them not to put us through the same thing again,” he stated.
Mourinho highlighted that although players would be away with their national teams, it is crucial for them to recover from physical fatigue before returning to play.
Maintaining Calm Amidst Chaos
Despite a previous setback against Atlético, Mourinho emphasized the team’s strong mindset and refusal to panic. He noted the importance of keeping a balanced perspective during both victories and losses.
“Winning matches at Real Madrid has to be the norm. I see a happy dressing room, with horrible music playing loudly… but horrible music! However, the players are calm, because the message is ‘normality’ when it comes to winning matches,” he said.
Mourinho concluded his remarks by updating on his health, expressing his intention to attend an NFL game contingent on his recovery from illness. He also dismissed rumors of a confrontation with Valencia coach Javier Aguirre, instead praising Aguirre’s capabilities as a coach while recognizing the superiority of Real Madrid’s players.
