Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho believes his team are continuing to move in the right direction after their 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruña secured the Teresa Herrera Trophy.
Brahim Diaz scored the only goal of the match at Riazor, but Mourinho was more interested in what his players gained from a demanding pre-season test than the trophy itself.
Real Madrid were pushed by a Deportivo side returning to La Liga, while the Portuguese manager also used the game to rotate his squad, test different roles and manage the minutes of key players.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the final whistle, Mourinho made it clear that the Deportivo vs Real Madrid clash offered a useful picture of where his side currently stands ahead of the new season.
Mourinho explains Real Madrid’s approach against Deportivo
Mourinho described the match as a serious test and praised Deportivo for making life difficult for his players.
“A serious match against a team returning to LaLiga, for whom this trophy holds great tradition, and they gave it their all.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Jose Mourinho is extremely happy with the result. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
“They forced us to take the game seriously. A complicated, difficult match. I have to make my substitutions; I have to give everyone a chance – I don’t want to give too many minutes to the same players.”
The Real Madrid manager explained that he needed to balance the desire to win with the need to give opportunities and minutes to different members of the squad.
Federico Valverde and Arda Guler, for example, played only 45 minutes as Mourinho continued to manage workloads during pre-season.
“Today, just 45 minutes each for Fede and Arda. This match is here to be won, OK, it’s here to be won, but more than just to win, it’s about working, giving players minutes, testing things out.
“One thing I like is that in a match of this difficulty, with changes to the line-up, but also to formations and roles, the team played to get a result, and we’ll have many matches like this in La Liga, mainly away from home, where you’re not able to kill off the match, and when you do kill it off, you win all the same.
“Lots of positives; the team is growing. Five players are training at Valdebebas who haven’t been here yet – you already know who these five are. We’re taking it step by step, and next week, yes. Next week, for real.”
Real Madrid progressing as pre-season tests get tougher
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho is aware of the difficulties ahead. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
According to Mourinho, the team has improved across several areas, although the level of opposition has also risen as Real Madrid move closer to the start of their La Liga campaign.
The trip to Riazor provided exactly the kind of competitive environment Mourinho wanted.
Deportivo were playing for a trophy with major local importance, while the atmosphere and intensity made the fixture feel more demanding than a typical summer friendly.
“They’re making progress in every area, but the difficulty of the matches is increasing; that’s how we’ve prepared for them.
“It’s great to come here, with this atmosphere, against this team… we know what summer tournaments are like.
“They mean what they mean to the home side – the tradition, the culture… They wanted their cup, and competing in this way is very good training for us,” he concluded.
Brahim Diaz and Andriy Lunin react after Deportivo 0-1 Real Madrid: ‘The most important thing is…’
Brahim Diaz, Real Madrid player
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Real Madrid rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 victory over Deportivo, with Brahim Diaz scoring the only goal to secure the Teresa Herrera Trophy.
The result itself may have come in a friendly, but the match offered another useful test for Jose Mourinho’s side ahead of the new La Liga season.
Brahim was the match-winner, although Andriy Lunin played an equally important role, first setting up the decisive goal before producing a key intervention late in the game.
Brahim explains his role
Brahim found the net after Lunin spotted him in space and quickly launched the ball towards the centre of the pitch.
The Real Madrid attacker controlled it with his chest, moved forward and finished the move to give his side the lead.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, Brahim was keen to highlight the goalkeeper’s contribution to the goal.
Reflecting on the team’s performance and the nature of the occasion, he said,
“This is still a pre-season friendly. We’re playing here, at Deportivo’s ground, and it’s a match to keep our legs moving and keep pushing ourselves.
“I’m very pleased with the team’s performance. We need to be ready for what’s coming, which is going to be a wonderful and incredible year.”
Andriy Lunin, Real Madrid player
Andriy Lunin provided the assist for the winning goal. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Brahim then explained how the winning move unfolded, giving full credit to Lunin for creating the opportunity.
“Lunin spotted me in a good position. He played the ball to me and I think controlling it with my chest gave me a real advantage to carry on.
“I took the ball a little further forward and finished it off well. A good goal, but it’s all down to Lunin.”
The Moroccan international also revealed more about what Mourinho wanted from him tactically during the Deportivo vs Real Madrid clash.
“In today’s match, he wanted me to cut inside and act as another midfielder. He also wanted me to try and help with the build-up play, and I’m pleased about that.”
Lunin’s assist and late save prove crucial
While Brahim scored the goal that won Real Madrid the Teresa Herrera Trophy, Lunin was heavily involved at both ends of the pitch.
His quick thinking after winning possession from a corner led directly to Brahim’s goal. The Ukrainian goalkeeper then ensured Deportivo could not find an equaliser during the closing stages.
After the match, Lunin described the atmosphere around the game and the importance of these fixtures during a demanding pre-season.
Federico Valverde and Andriy Lunin, Real Madrid players
Real Madrid won the Teresa Herrera Trophy. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
“It was a really good match: a great atmosphere, a great stadium… It was all brilliant.”
On the importance of the win as Real Madrid continue preparing for La Liga, he added,
“The most important thing is that these matches help us prepare for La Liga.
“Today, the second half was a bit tougher, especially physically, because we’re still in pre-season and we’re working hard and putting in a lot of effort. But this is really helpful for the start of La Liga.”
The goalkeeper also explained that his assist for Brahim was more instinctive than planned.
“It came quite naturally. From corners, if you win the ball back, you always try to take it out quickly. I didn’t realise Brahim was that quick.”
Lastly, Lunin was asked about his first weeks under Mourinho, and he made it clear that the new Real Madrid regime has been demanding.
“It’s been very intense and very tough, but we’re loving it.”