Real Madrid new signing Carlos Espi.
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Real Madrid kicked off the Jose Mourinho era with a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in Austria, and the friendly proved a memorable occasion for several members of the squad.
Debutants Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espi both featured, while academy youngster Alexis Ciria capped a standout display with a goal.
All three spoke to RMTV after the match, sharing their views on the performance as well as Jose Mourinho, among other things.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and Denzel Dumfries
Dumfries was happy with his debut. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Summer signing Dumfries started the match and played 75 minutes, and the Dutchman was delighted to get his Real Madrid career underway.
“I felt good, and I am very proud to debut with Real Madrid. It was a great experience, this first match, and now it’s time to work hard for more games,” he said.
The versatile defender, deployed out of his natural position, explained that Mourinho has already made his demands clear.
“It’s the first match, and I’ve just returned to training, but Mourinho asks me to work hard and show my worth. It wasn’t my natural position, but it was a good friendly match. I can play in different positions, and I’m used to it, though I usually play on the right,” he added.
He was also full of praise for his new teammates, while acknowledging the squad needs time to gel.
“It’s incredible. We’ve been together for a week, and we need more time. That’s what the pre-season is for, but everything’s good. There’s a lot of quality in the team.”
Perhaps the happiest man of all was Carlos Espi, who made his debut just 72 hours after signing, coming off the bench in the second half.
“Debuting today with Real Madrid is unique. It’s an enormous pride, and I’m very happy. It’s indescribable, everything has happened in just two days: I signed, trained, and now I’ve already debuted,” the forward said.
Espi also revealed the instructions handed to him by Mourinho upon his introduction.
“Since the score was tied, he told me to stay in the box, try to bring balls down, and play into space. To give my all,” he added.
The real star of the show, though, was academy graduate Ciria, who marked his first-team debut with the second goal of the game.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho
Mourinho was happy with the performances of academy stars like Ciria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
“At first, I was a little nervous, but once I stepped onto the field, the nerves went away because I was doing what I love. When the ball came to me, everything else disappeared, and once I saw it go in, it was such a relief,” he said.
The youngster shared a touching moment involving his father before the match.
“Just before, I was talking with my father in the locker room, and he sent me a childhood photo and said: do it for this and for the whole family, who loves you like no one else and will always support you.”
Ciria, who impressed on the left wing, revealed the simple message Mourinho gave him. “To be myself, to have confidence, play without pressure, and enjoy myself. Playing alongside Carreras and Valverde made it so much easier.”
For Mourinho, such promising contributions from his youngsters, combined with the debuts of his new arrivals, offer plenty of encouragement as Real Madrid continue to build towards the new campaign.
Jose Mourinho took charge of Real Madrid for the first time since his return on Saturday, overseeing a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly.
Endrick and youngster Alexis Ciria put Los Blancos two goals up inside the first half at the Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, only for Roberto Piccoli and Moise Kean to level the game for the Italian side.
Speaking afterwards, Mourinho reflected on the outing and delivered his verdict on his makeshift squad.
Mourinho was happy with Dumfries’ performance. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
The Portuguese coach analysed his team’s performance, pointing out how the team showed ‘three faces’.
“I liked everything. It was a Madrid with three faces: fresh, tired, and super tired. The fresh team played very well, and the 2-1 scoreline was far too short.
“The first half was of very high quality, and we could have been leading three or four to nil comfortably,” he said (h/t Real Madrid website).
“In the second half, the game became more physical against a typically Italian team with great physicality.
“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,” he added.
He was quick to praise how his side responded when fatigue set in.
“The third face, which I also liked a lot, was the super tired face, but where the team knew how to be a team, control the game, and regain dominance,” he added.
Mourinho reserved special mention for those who made the effort to feature despite limited preparation, with Endrick and Denzel Dumfries catching his eye.
“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,” he explained.
Mourinho was also happy with the effort put in by the academy players, including Joan Martinez and Mario Rivas.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho
Mourinho is looking forward to having World Cup stars back in the team. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
“Joan and Mario are two kids with a fantastic future who displayed tremendous class as long as the game didn’t get too physical. I loved seeing the quality of the youngsters.”
New signing Carlos Espi, who only joined on Thursday, made his debut off the bench and nearly won it late on.
“I’m the happiest man in the world. I haven’t even been at Madrid for 72 hours, and I’ve trained, and made my debut,” Espi told reporters.
With several key players still on an extended break following the World Cup, Mourinho admitted he is eager to get his full squad together as soon as possible, including Vinicius Jr., who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.
“I’m concerned about not having everyone, and I would like to have three weeks of work with the others. It’s not possible,” he said.
“On Monday, Vini Jr, Brahim, and Bernardo will arrive. Little by little, until the boys who played in the World Cup semifinals and final arrive, with the final being only Cucurella.”
Despite the challenges of a disjointed pre-season, Mourinho was satisfied with what he has seen so far. “I am very happy with the work of the boys from day one,” he concluded.