The return of José Mourinho to Real Madrid may have given rise to a lot of fears. He was said (said) to be at the end of his career, a little tired, less capable of leading a team in the long term and obtaining results. His management of the locker room is successful for the moment, and that’s already good news. Casa Blanca has certainly already lost a match this season (against Betis last Friday in La Liga) and Real’s performances still leave us wanting more, as evidenced by the last match against Inter in the Champions League, but when it comes to relationships with the stars of the group, and there are many, the Portuguese holds the bar for the moment.
He was recruited for this, to put an end to the ego wars and to get everyone on the same wavelength. For A.S.he has already achieved his objective, where his predecessors failed. Xabi Alonso wanted to impose his tactical palette and his way of playing, even if it meant alienating a player like Vinicius. Mbappé and Güler quickly adopted the precepts of the current Chelsea coach, not Bellingham and Valverde. Alvaro Arbeloa did not do better. He managed to get the Brazilian in his pocket, but this time it was with the French star that it didn’t work, not to mention a group particularly under tension like the fight between Tchouameni and Valverde.
Dubbed by the stars of the locker room
In his first mission, Mourinho had to renew ties with Vinicius, a few months after the Prestianni affair during Benfica-Real Madrid where the Portuguese was sitting on the opposite bench. Proof that the two men wanted to tie their destiny together, the attacker, even if he is not yet showing his great form, is in tune. On his left side, he provides the necessary defensive efforts. Against Inter, the 26-year-old still recovered 9 balls. He came out at the very end of the match under a few whistles, immediately supported by his coach who took him in his arms and encouraged the public to applaud him. The person concerned must have appreciated the gesture.
Kylian Mbappé is not yet at the top either but the Special One has made him his attack leader. This confidence is characterized on the pitch where the former Parisian already has 5 goals. “ What characterizes Mourinho is that he makes you feel alive, explained the top scorer in the history of the World Cup. It makes you want to fully invest in your work, it makes you feel important. He puts a lot of pressure, imposes great intensity in training, and communicates a lot with the players. We know where we want to go, we know what he expects of us. When a coach gives you that confidence and that hunger to succeed, you don’t want to disappoint them, you want to give your best. »
Limit the awakening of egos
A statement which confirms this feeling of a united group, standing strong against external criticism. Jude Bellingham is also entitled to his special treatment. Mourinho placed him behind the striker, closer to the box and not in midfield or on one side as has been the case in recent months. He had felt frustrated there. “ We know very well how he wants his team to play. Today we saw the values he advocates. On both goals, this high pressure. There are many positive points, but also aspects to be refined. There is still work to do, which motivates and energizes me », blurted the Englishman after Inter. His statistics on the field are affected. He already has 2 goals and 3 assists since the start of the La Liga season.
Another factor to take into account. The Portuguese leaves his stars on the field so as not to wake up egos. None of the three was replaced against Betis. Against Inter, Vinicius was only replaced in the 87th minute and Mbappé in the 90th. This makes his job as a leader easier and the entire locker room responds. Other leaders like Federico Valverde, the captain, and Thibaut Courtois are under the spell, aware of having to blend in to return to victory. “ He is a very demanding coach, says the Belgian. It requires discipline and favors the team over individuals. These are important things for me to win. He is a great coach and as a person he is very approachable. He is frank. I think this is the way to go. »Having the locker room with you is already a first victory at Real.
