José Mourinho was expected to face the press in the Valdebebas press room. The events of the past week had given him plenty of reasons to do so. They included Vinicius’s sending-off against Villarreal last Saturday, the subsequent sanction handed to the Brazilian, announced a couple of hours before the Champions League match against Roma, and his decision to remain silent after the game against the Castellón side. As was explained at the time, it was considered better for him not to speak to the press to avoid making any comments that could lead to a further sanction and prevent him from playing in El Clásico.

The Portuguese coach’s comments at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico before and after the European fixture, along with Javier Tebas’s statements on social media last Friday, in which he attacked Real Madrid TV and the club itself, had further fuelled the tension. The circumstances might have prompted a strong reaction from Mourinho, but he calmly offered his explanations.

How do you see the team?

Tired, but they won’t be tired against Sevilla. Today, I think they are a little tired, based on what I’ve seen in the medical department, but we will be fine. We also have very good options if we decide to make changes and freshen up the team. Sevilla are a great team. They have competed in the matches they have lost, and they always compete away from home. Luis García is doing a great job. It will be a very difficult match, but we want to win.

What do you ask of your midfielders?

I ask midfielders to be midfielders. I ask them to do the work of a midfielder. A player who only defends is limited. If you only attack, it is better to play on the wing or as a No. 10. It is a very difficult position to play. To perform at the highest level, you need a different kind of quality.

Tebas and the comparison with Real Madrid TV...

You have already seen what I think. I ask you not to talk about this because there are limits, and it has entered a territory where the only possible explanation is a clinical case. If that is not the case, there is no justification or apology. I think Madrid fans increasingly understand what they are up against. As I said before, given all the prestige Spanish football enjoys abroad, it is better that we try to keep this here rather than let it spill over into the outside world.

You said in pre-season that Arda Güler could play as a deep-lying midfielder...

He works hard. It seems to me that you find it difficult to give merit or credit to hard work. The most negative things seem to have someone responsible, while positive things are put down to luck. Arda is a very talented player. Fortunately, he is not yet a finished product. He has the attributes to play in different positions. I am very happy.

What did you not like about Vinicius on Roma’s second goal?

I want to ask a funny question because I am curious, too: are people interested in what time we arrive at Valdebebas? And when we leave? It is funny.

Vinicius had a very difficult match. For me, the main reason was Gasperini, because he constantly attacked down Vinicius’s side. It was very difficult for me as a coach to make changes. In the second half, Roma changed things, and what bothered me was the nature of the second goal. The match was balanced, and we were not having any problems. He should not have done what he did, but that is that. It is fine. I made five substitutions, not just one. Substitutions are part of football.

Vinicius has to work harder and, without promising anything, because I do not like making promises, I think he will start on Wednesday. As for the four-match suspension, I am happy because they were going to give him more. I thought the hidden cats would add another one or two matches.

How do you manage Vinicius’s temperament?

He is a spectacular kid, and it is easy to have a good relationship with him. I spend time alone with him every day. I value him enormously because he always manages to live and survive with a smile. If I were in his position, I probably would not be here. I would have forced a move to a country where people respect me. But, because of his commitment to Madrid and his love for the club, he stayed. He believes things can improve, and he keeps that smile. Nothing and no one can take it away from him.

What plans do you have for Endrick?

I think we sometimes struggle to give credit to people who do things well. We criticise those who perform poorly. It is to the lad’s credit that he has broken through with such force. The three goals from corners and the way those corners were won were important. In 10 minutes, we had around seven corners because we were playing an avalanche of attacking football.

There are many players who deserve to play. More than 11 deserve to play. There are 15 or 16. Lunin deserves to play, and I am not joking. He trains every day alongside the best goalkeeper in the world and stays positive, but he does not play. I cannot put both of them on the pitch.

It is the same with the outfield players. We will all agree that the five players who came on and changed the match deserve to play tomorrow, but what about the others? Does Diomande not deserve to play? Does Cucurella not deserve to play? Does Valverde not deserve to play? Does Mbappé not deserve to play?

That is what makes this part of a coach’s job so difficult. Colleagues of mine who manage teams with fewer resources will say I am lucky. It is both lucky and unlucky to have journalists like you, who make the job more complicated.

Have you considered entering the winter transfer market?

There are always 23 players in the squad. Vinicius will not be there tomorrow, but Militão will. Transfers? I am not asking for anything. I am happy with the squad and the players. I have the feeling that, under normal circumstances, players improve individually and collectively, above all if we have time and peace to work. It is a coach’s job to develop his players.

I do not strike you as someone who asks for players. I like small squads, and if someone came in, someone would have to leave. If the sporting management considers something, we are here to assess it. But it will not be my initiative.

Do you advise Vinicius on other matters?

Those are private conversations. When he renewed his contract, he signed on the basis that Madrid is his home, with the desire to keep making history and winning titles. He gets along well with everyone in the dressing room and is a focal point for joy. I have serious doubts that I would have the strength to stay here, given all the offers he had.

What can you say about Valverde in midfield?

I am here to do what I think is best for the team. I think the day will come when AI and surveys tell teams what to do, with coaches limited to working on the pitch. But, to this day, coaches still make the decisions.

A stubborn coach who is not open to other views is a limited coach. With all due respect, I believe some people give their opinions because they love football, while others do so because it is their job. But those opinions are not worth more than my own analysis. At the same time, a coach who is open to opinions is not necessarily a good coach.

I am open to the opinions of my staff. I can change my mind, but I do so based on my analysis, not on what people outside the club think. I can go in different directions, as in the case of Tchouaméni and Valverde. A match has many moments and nuances. The five substitutions available to teams with strong squads are an important factor.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.