Mourinho Ready for New Real Madrid Debut: "I Feel Adrenaline, Not Pressure"

José Mourinho spoke at a press conference on the eve of Real Madrid's seasonal debut, addressing all aspects of the new era: from squad management to the transfer market, from his relationship with stars like Vinicius, Mbappé, and Bellingham to staff choices and season ambitions. These are his words, as reported by AS.

What do you expect from the debut against Espanyol?
"They are a good team. Formations that have worked with the same coach for a long time have automatisms, dynamics, and superior preparation. They play well, they have ambition. I really liked their first match: they earned three points, scored three goals, and conceded none. Their fans are happy. We are ready to face whatever we encounter."

How is the team doing on the eve of the match? Is the squad complete?
"I am well, I am calm. It's a new season. The difficulty has been preparing the work with players who arrived at different times: some have 36 training sessions and six matches in their legs, others have fewer minutes and less work. We have organized different programs for everyone. I am very satisfied with the situation. If I had had another week, it would have been better, but we are tired of friendlies. We don't love this work for friendly matches; we want real games. The injured players from last season need time. The only player out who is not from last year is Endrick. Tchouaméni is fine; he needs to train today, tomorrow, and Sunday to accelerate his process. He arrived in conditions that still don't allow him to be at his best for this match."

Do you feel pressure for your Real Madrid debut?
"I wouldn't call it pressure, but adrenaline. It's something positive. The day I no longer feel this sensation will mean something is wrong. I don't feel pressure for debuts or for matches. I have great confidence in the work we have done, in the mentality of the players, in their ambition, and in the passion they are showing me. It will be a difficult match, but we will start with the conviction that we can return with three points."

Diomandé said he would die for you…
"It's an expression I like, although I'd prefer him to die for the group and for Real Madrid. I know what he meant by talking about our working relationship and the club. Words are easy, while it's much harder to turn them into actions. What Diomandé said is no different from what I see in other players: commitment, a desire to do well, willingness. The group is growing; it is united. We are not perfect, because a perfect group doesn't exist. Problems will arise, but the foundation is very strong."

Have you spoken with Tchouaméni and Valverde after what happened between them?
"I arrived with a lot of information. I was here for three years, I have my contacts, and you journalists also have your sources. However, I decided to start from scratch, even though I was coming from a privileged position. I didn't need to speak with Tchouaméni. I saw normalcy. If I hadn't known anything and observed their relationship today, I couldn't imagine what happened last season. They themselves have shown me that there was no need to intervene. It's not just about peace, but about normalcy, friendship, and collaboration."

What defines a successful season?
"There are several ways to judge it. The only truly pragmatic one is results. We can develop many aspects, improve the structure, and work on many things, but in the end, results count. We have three competitions plus a fourth smaller one. Finishing a season at Real Madrid without winning trophies cannot be considered a successful season."

Will there be more opportunities for the young players from the academy?
"Tomorrow, Cestero, Ciria, and Rivas will be on the bench. We don't have a very large squad. I like to work with a maximum of 22 players. They are occupying these spaces and are working very well with us. I want to motivate the academy boys by making them understand that the door is open. This week it will be these three, but it will be for many others too."

Are you satisfied with your captains?
"I am happy with everyone. I believe that the captains are also learning to know me. They have the ability to observe, analyze, and understand a person. I don't want to be known only through words, but through the way I work. The group is united; there is empathy. The staff that was already here told us they perceive a different environment. The captains haven't had to face a difficult moment yet. When it arrives, we will see how they react. For now, the players are helping me a lot."

What is your analysis of Real Madrid?
"We must not negotiate what is impossible to negotiate. Commitment must be present in every match. Moments of frustration will come, due to negative results or personal situations. I have spoken with the players: there will come a time when I have to choose; someone will be a starter, and someone else will go to the bench. They will have to manage it individually and as a group. I cannot start a match with 15 players. If someone lowers their level due to frustration, the choice will be easy for me. The team must learn to navigate these moments as well."

How do you evaluate Vinícius's renewal?
"It was not a surprise. When they explained it to me, the first question I asked was: 'Does he want to stay?' They answered yes, and I was calm. I don't want to say if he is among the ten best in the world, but he is certainly one of the best. And the best must be at Real Madrid."

How have you experienced Real Madrid from afar?
"I am not a person who regrets or looks back. I left Portugal twenty years ago and only returned for a few months last year. Every Real Madrid title was accompanied by a call from the president, and I always replied: 'No, it has nothing to do with me.' I am happy that my work has left something positive, but the titles belong to Carlo, Zidane, the players, and the people. I have affection for all the clubs I've been to: Roma, Inter, Chelsea. I always want them to do well. Benfica, however, has something even more special."

When can we say that this is Mourinho's Real Madrid?
"It already is, for better or for worse. If we talk about a perfect team, it doesn't exist. Every day we must improve. I like teams that work with the same coach for two or three years because they accumulate information, empathy, and knowledge. We have a long road ahead. When I said that the best is yet to come, many thought of the players. I was referring to the matches. Now the real games begin. Every point conquered brings us closer to Cibeles."

Do you already have an ideal eleven in mind?
"Mou's first eleven? We'll see who has the best connections… (laughs). The players already know who will play. I'm not one to hide things. I don't have an ideal formation. And even if I did, I wouldn't want to have one. I want open competition. There will be many matches, every three days, then international breaks, and you never know how the players will return. With players like Trent, Dumfries, Cucurella, Carreras, and many others, it's impossible to think that one will play 50 games and another only 10. We have tremendous quality."

How do you plan to manage Vinícius, Mbappé, and Bellingham together?
"They are incredible players. Great players want to play with other great players. The best feel frustration when they play with players who are not at their level. From a tactical point of view, it can be more complicated. Ancelotti found the perfect solution for Vinícius, Deschamps for Mbappé, Tuchel for Bellingham. Finding the right way for all three will be more difficult, but they are players of extraordinary quality. They are not incompatible. We will have a great season with them."