Preseason is over for Real Madrid, and now the real competition begins. After the positive signs shown by the team in their final friendly against Schalke 04, José Mourinho has already turned his attention to Los Blancos’ LaLiga opener.

Madrid will visit Espanyol this Saturday, and the Portuguese coach does not want his players to relax. He knows his team will enter the match as favorites, but he also understands that facing Real Madrid provides extra motivation for almost any opponent.

Espanyol also enter the game with competitive rhythm and three points already on the board after beating Levante 3-0 in their opening match.

Mourinho Does Not Want Any Surprises in the Opener

Speaking to El Chiringuito, Mourinho highlighted the Catalan side’s strong start and pointed out that, for now, Espanyol have three more points than Madrid.

But his main message was directed at his own players.

For Mourinho, Real Madrid must understand the way opponents approach these matches. Facing Los Blancos is never just another game, and failing to recognize that could create problems from the opening minute.

That is why he wants Madrid fully focused from the start of their visit to Cornellà.

The Portuguese coach said he is not afraid ahead of the opener because he has seen positive signs from his squad throughout preseason. He highlighted the seriousness and ambition of his players, two qualities he considers essential now that points are finally at stake.

The “Common Sense” Mourinho Demands

Mourinho also explained how he is managing the dressing room during his second spell at the club and delivered a phrase that summarizes exactly what he expects from his players.

“What I ask of them from day one is common sense,” the Portuguese coach explained during the interview.

For Mou, that common sense starts with the basics of professional soccer: arriving early enough for training sessions, taking care of nutrition, working every day on injury prevention and understanding that those responsibilities benefit both the individual player and the team.

So far, Mourinho says he is pleased with the response from the squad. He even acknowledged that his players have not yet given him any reason to show the much more aggressive side that has characterized him at different stages of his career.

Positive Signs Ahead of LaLiga

The final preseason test against Schalke 04 gave Madrid plenty of reasons for optimism.

The team showed progress in several of the concepts Mourinho has been working on throughout preseason, while a number of important players were also able to get valuable minutes before the start of the league campaign.

But for the Portuguese coach, the friendlies are now in the past.

From this point forward, every mistake has consequences.

Mourinho also expressed his satisfaction with the way the squad has been built. The coach believes he has players capable of operating in several positions, something that could provide plenty of tactical alternatives during a season in which Madrid will once again compete for every trophy.

His return to the Real Madrid dugout also carries special meaning. Mourinho considers Real Madrid one of the highest points in any coach’s career and made it clear that his second spell has one objective above anything personal: winning for the club.

The first test arrives this Saturday.

Real Madrid produced a positive performance against Schalke, but Mourinho has already delivered his first warning of the season: nobody can afford to underestimate Espanyol.

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