José Mourinho Praises Bernardo and Camavinga After Real Madrid’s 4-1 Victory Over Rb Leipzig in the Champions League

José Mourinho highlighted the performance of Bernardo and Camavinga, who made him "forget" about Arda Güler and Tchouaméni in Real Madrid's victory

Mourinho and Bernardo

José Mourinho, coach of Real Madrid, stated that "Bernardo" had made him "forget about Arda Güler" and Camavinga, about Aurélíen Tchouaméni, after his team's victory (4-1) in RB Leipzig's visit to the Santiago Bernabéu for matchday three of the UEFA Champions League.

"He is a great player and he played a great game. He hadn't started in a few games. The team, when it has a player like him or like Arda in midfield, has more outlet, more control, more speed in transition, getting the ball to the attackers. I'm very happy. Tchouaméni and Arda had a great match against Sevilla," he began, in the post-match press conference.

"Taking them off in a game we had to win, because I think in this 'Champions' phase we're going to need a lot of points to finish in the top eight, and we have to win as many points as possible. Right now we have 9, we're very close to qualifying for the 'play-off', we have to win games. Today Bernardo made me forget about Arda and Camavinga made me forget about Tchouaméni," he added.

Team performance

He commented, even so, that he is still not happy with his team's defensive performance, despite the improvements: "Nothing is where I want it, I always want to improve. I've been here for 105 days, obviously it's not where I want it, but there are things we do better today than we did before. If you want to compare, the same game we won here 4-1 against Málaga, against Rayo, they had a lot of chances, we didn't compact well... We're improving."

"I don't like the goal because I put myself in the position of a goalkeeper who makes two incredible saves, who leaves the game open for you to win it, and just as the attacker loves to score a goal, the goalkeeper loves to go home without goals in his net. The goal we conceded today, also against Sevilla, is the goal of someone who is comfortable, who knows the game is won, and I don't like it," he stressed.

He ended by praising Courtois, although he didn't dare say he is the best goalkeeper he has coached: "The best goalkeeper in the history of the Premier League, which is Petr Cech, when Courtois arrived at 20 years old, he played, and we won the Premier League with Courtois in goal, and Cech only played the Cups that season. If I say this, Júlio César calls me in two minutes and says: 'Courtois is better, but you won the 'Champions' with me'. I have always had respect for my former players, but this guy is...". EFE