Guti, Former Real Madrid player
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
There is palpable excitement surrounding Real Madrid this season following the return of Jose Mourinho as manager in the summer.
The Portuguese tactician has been tasked with bringing silverware back to the Santiago Bernabeu, and he has enjoyed a mixed start to the campaign.
Madrid icon Guti has urged patience with Mourinho’s new-look Real Madrid, insisting he remains excited by the direction of the project despite an uneven start to the season.
Guti believes Los Blancos deserve time
Speaking to Cadena SER, the former Madrid midfielder discussed Mourinho, the derby controversy, Rodri and the Ballon d’Or race.
“I am excited. I am excited about Mou’s arrival and the signings,” Guti said.
“You have to give them time. It isn’t easy; there are a lot of new signings, there is a new coach, you have to give them time. I think what Madrid need is calm and patience.”
Guti’s words feel particularly relevant after the defeats away to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid. Mourinho is integrating several new players while attempting to create an identity for this team.
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Guti is positive about Mourinho’s project at Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
He also addressed the refereeing controversy surrounding the Atletico defeat. While Guti felt important decisions influenced the result, he refused to get dragged into the narrative that the referees were deliberately working against Madrid.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said when asked directly whether referees were against the club.
Guti feels Real Madrid will not miss Rodri
Guti also discussed Madrid’s failure to sign Rodri in the summer, with the midfielder ending up joining Barcelona.
“I would have liked it, but in the end it was his decision,” Guti said.
“I’m sure he’s happy at Barcelona, but I think Real Madrid have a great team. I don’t think they will miss Rodri.”
Madrid’s midfield have faced scrutiny over their control and creativity this season. Amid all that, it is quite interesting that Guti does not think Los Blancos missed out on Rodri.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Guti backs Kylian Mbappe for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Guti also made his preference clear in the Ballon d’Or race.
“I think it will be between Harry Kane, Mbappe and Rodri,” he said.
“I want Mbappe to win it because he plays for Real Madrid. But it could be Rodri.”
Interestingly, Guti chose to leave out Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona superstar, from his list of Ballon d’Or candidates.
As Guti puts it, Mourinho will know that Madrid are a work in progress, and the three-week international break gives them a chance to improve in the coming months.
Mourinho and Khedira identify major problem with Mbappe and Vinicius at Real Madrid – report
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho and Sami Khedira are using the international break to study the problems that have emerged during Real Madrid’s opening weeks, with the defensive contribution of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. emerging as one area requiring attention.
According to Defensa Central, the coaching staff believes there has been progress since Mourinho took charge, particularly in the team’s willingness to defend as a unit.
The derby defeat, however, has more or less confirmed that more work is required.
As per the outlet, the primary issue is asking two of Real Madrid’s biggest attacking stars to defend deeper, but there is more to the story.
As such, Mourinho wants them to improve their pressing without sacrificing the qualities that make them so dangerous going forward.
Mourinho wants more from Mbappe and Vinicius
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid
Mourinho wants Mbappe and Vinicius to press better. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Mbappe and Vinicius are already making greater efforts to win the ball back, with both players pressing more regularly than they did previously.
The coaching staff believes that improvement is still insufficient, though.
Their individual defensive numbers are being closely analysed, with Mourinho and Khedira looking for a bigger contribution without disrupting their attacking output.
The challenge right now is finding the right balance, as the two forwards need to know when to press high, when to recover their positions and when to stay ready for the transition after possession is won.
If done correctly, that would give Real Madrid’s midfield and defence bigger protection while allowing the forwards to remain in positions where they can hurt opponents.
Diomande and Bellingham provide the example
Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid players
Mbappe and Vinicius will have more work once they return from international duty. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Mourinho and Khedira have a clear reference point within their own squad.
As such, Yan Diomande and Jude Bellingham are being viewed as examples of how attacking players can contribute to the defensive structure without losing their influence in possession.
Diomande, in particular, has impressed with his willingness to run and disrupt opposition build-up. Although the Ivorian is naturally an attacking player, his pressing has become an important part of his overall contribution.
The expectation is not that Mbappe and Vinicius should maintain maximum intensity for 90 minutes.
Rather, Mourinho wants them to recognise the moments when the team needs an extra defensive effort and respond accordingly.