Did he really say that? Mourinho's return to Real Madrid begins with a classic Mourinho remark

Did he really say that? Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid begins with a classic Mourinho remark

Asked how it felt to be back at Real Madrid for a second time, José Mourinho gave the answer only he could give in his first post-match press conference: so…

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Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Fiorentina in Klagenfurt on Saturday, and the first question when Mourinho reached the microphones inside the Wörthersee Stadion was about his feelings on returning.

“So far I haven’t felt anything special, as the real matches have not started yet,” he told reporters.

A Madrid with ‘three faces’

Mourinho described the performance in Klagenfurt as the work of a squad in three moods.

I liked everything. It was a Madrid with three faces: fresh, tired, and super tired,” he said on Real Madrid TV.

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Endrick and academy forward Alexis Ciria had put the “fresh” side two goals up inside 24 minutes, and Mourinho felt they deserved more.

“The fresh team played very well, and the 2-1 scoreline at halftime was far too short.”

Roberto Piccoli pulled one back for Fiorentina before the interval, and Moise Kean equalised on 58 minutes off the bench.

The Kean answer

Asked about Kean, Mourinho turned the focus to the two teenagers he had sent out in defence.

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“After that, we saw Moise Kean playing in the area against two 18-year-olds, who had a great game and are growing, but physically, they are not yet at the level to handle someone like Moise, who is a fantastic player.”

Denzel Dumfries, signed this summer, and Endrick both trained with the group for three days and lasted more than 70 minutes.

Dumfries and Endrick trained for three days and played more than 70 minutes. It’s a fantastic effort that, to me, signifies a willingness to give their all.”

‘Happy from day one’

On his first weeks back at Valdebebas, Mourinho was warmer.

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I am very happy with the work of the boys from day one.”

He added that he wished he had had his World Cup contingent in from the start of pre-season, and would have liked three full weeks with the group.

Real Madrid open the competitive season away to Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday 22 August, kick-off 9:30pm local time.

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