Real Madrid Coach Mourinho Wants Players To ‘Die’ For Him In First Press Conference

· 3 min read
Jose Mourinho will once more try to break up FC Barcelona dominance at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho said that he wants his players to "die" for the club in his first press conference ahead of a season debut against Espanyol.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho said that he wants his players to "die" for the club in his first press conference ahead of a La Liga season debut against Espanyol on Saturday.

Mourinho was reminded of summer signing Yan Diomande’s comments, and remarked that “without following it word for word, it is an expression that I like”.

"I would like him to die for the group, for Real Madrid. But I know what he means in relation to the tasks and the club when he uses my name. Words are easy. It is more difficult to take action. Diomande's are no different from what I see in everyone. I see them committed, with the will to do things well.

“The group is growing, it is united. We are not the perfect group, it does not exist. I don’t think I won’t have problems, they will come. But as a base, the group is strong. Diomande’s message applies to everyone,” Mourinho added.

Mourinho isn’t feeling the heat at Real Madrid

Just like he was in 2010, Mourinho is charged by President Florentino Perez to break up rampant FC Barcelona dominance under Hansi Flick during his second stint at the club.

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He doesn’t feel hot under the collar about that, however, and would rather turn it into something he can use to his benefit.

“I wouldn’t say pressure, I would say adrenaline. It is positive. The day I don’t feel it there is something wrong. I don’t feel pressure either for debuts or for football matches. I have a lot of confidence in the work we have done,” Mourinho said.

“A lot of confidence in the ambition of the players, in their mentality, the passion they show me. It’s a difficult game, but tomorrow when we travel we will do so with the conviction that we will come back with the three points.”

Against Espanyol, who won their own debut 3-0 against Levante, Mourinho expects to encounter a “good team”.

“Teams that have had the same coach for a long time are well-prepared teams with routines, dynamics. They play well. With ambition. I really liked the first game and there they are, with three points, three goals scored, zero conceded, the fans happy. We are prepared for what we are going to find there.”

Real Madrid Vs. Espanyol kicks off at 21.30 local time in Spain on Saturday night, at the RCDE Stadium.