Jose Mourinho acknowledged gaps in his Real Madrid midfield after steering the club to a turbulent 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Portuguese boss refused to hide from his side's inconsistency while simultaneously defending Vinicius Junior, who faced criticism from sections of the home crowd following the final whistle.
The match itself was an end-to-end affair that could easily have finished with double-digit goals. "I prefer to say it was a crazy match," Mourinho told Movistar. "We are often criticised when the match is boring, and today it was crazy, and it could have ended 7-6 without any problem." Real's opening Champions League league-phase fixture showcased attacking intensity from both teams, though it lacked the control typically associated with European elite competition.
Midfield Vulnerability and Squad Depth Concerns
Mourinho pinpointed his midfield as the primary weakness. "Our midfield was weak, they made changes very early, and I did not have many options in midfield," he explained. Rather than dwell on the shortcoming, the manager highlighted his tactical response. He introduced fresh personnel when recognising his players were struggling, crediting the replacements with performing capably. The early substitutions underscored tactical flexibility but also exposed potential squad limitations in depth and consistency at the base of the pitch.
Despite the vulnerabilities, Mourinho credited his team's work ethic and pressing intensity, particularly on how Federico Valverde capitalised on counter-pressing opportunities to score. "Valverde's goal comes as a result of work, so it should not all be criticism," he said, emphasising that goals stemmed partly from organised defensive pressure rather than pure opponent mistakes.
Defending Vinicius and Goalkeeper Brilliance
Thibaut Courtois produced a masterclass in goalkeeping with multiple crucial interventions, yet Mourinho resisted attributing victory solely to the Belgian shot-stopper. "It is one thing for you not to be in control of the match, and another for the opponent to be in control, and they were not that either," he said. The balance of the encounter suggested neither side dominated, though Inter created genuine threats that Courtois neutralised repeatedly.
The manager's staunch defence of Vinicius came after audible jeers from supporters. "He has worked a lot, very much," Mourinho stated. "I know it, everyone knows it, and he knows it too. He has not yet reached his full readiness, and he is not yet the Vinicius we know, but he works a lot, and whoever works and gives everything he has deserves respect." The Brazilian winger remains below his elite performance level this season, yet Mourinho's backing signals confidence in his eventual return to form.
Real Madrid's victory, though unconvincing, keeps them on track in the Champions League league phase, with the midfield stability question looming as the campaign progresses.
