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Mourinho Defends Vinícius and Mbappé Amid Bernabéu Whistles
By Drooid · · How we work
Fan Whistles Prompt Manager’s Defense
During Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu, sections of the home crowd directed whistles at forwards Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé. The criticism focused on perceived defensive shortcomings despite Mbappé scoring the opener and Vinícius contributing to the attack. Manager José Mourinho addressed the incident in his Friday press conference, insisting that the boos reflect fans “wanting fruit” from their most productive players.
Recent Form and Fan Sentiment
Real Madrid entered the Inter match after a mixed domestic run: a league defeat to Real Betis followed by the Champions League victory. The club’s supporters have expressed frustration after a trophy-less season, a sentiment echoed by Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who admitted uncertainty about the exact reasons for the boos.
Official Statements & Responses
Mourinho emphasized that any player who “gives everything” deserves his full backing, regardless of occasional errors. The manager also praised Mbappé’s defensive effort, noting his work on the left wing alongside Marc Cucurella even when the team played with ten men. Mourinho reiterated that unity between the squad and the stadium makes the side “almost unbeatable,” and he warned that external noise will not distract the players ahead of their upcoming La Liga fixture.
Data & Statistics
- Mbappé’s opening goal against Inter placed him joint-fifth on the all-time Champions League scorers list.
- He scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid last season and is a nominee for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
- Vinícius has recorded one goal in five appearances this season, but his career includes several Champions League titles and a high volume of goals and ball recoveries.
- Real Madrid’s most recent league result was a 1-0 loss to Real Betis, their first defeat since Mourinho’s return.
What’s Next
Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday, seeking to rebound from the Betis loss. Mourinho affirmed that the team will remain focused on the match and that fan criticism will not affect their preparation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In Portugal there is a proverb: you only throw stones at trees that have fruit,” — José Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
- “In Portuguese, we have a proverb that says we only throw stones at the trees that have fruit,” — José Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
- “Kylian is right: a player who scores 40 goals every season isn't a problem for the team," Mourinho said.” — José Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
- “I don't think anyone really knows [why],” — Guillem Balague, Spanish football expert