Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has declared his squad closed for the summer transfer window as his side prepare for their upcoming LaLiga home fixture against Basque club Real Sociedad.
The 63-year-old Portuguese coach confirmed he is satisfied with his current roster following an opening 2026-27 league victory against Espanyol. While cautioning that late movements remain possible until the transfer deadline passes, Mourinho insisted he has made no requests for new signings and would be unhappy to lose any member of his playing staff.
Mourinho expressed confidence that the individual talent of his three top-tier forwards can compensate for any tactical difficulties on the pitch, adding that his role as head coach is to assist them in balancing the team setup.
Protection for Vinicius Junior
Addressing the physical treatment received by Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, Mourinho strongly criticized opponent tackles and called for greater protection from match officials. He explained that a clear difference exists in how Vinicius is targeted compared to other players, describing the situation as a spiral where opponents feel emboldened to push boundaries like young children who test limits when allowed.
The Real Madrid boss pointed to an unpunished tackle on Vinicius during the win over Espanyol, insisting the foul constituted a deliberate act of aggression that warranted an immediate red card. While exonerating the on-pitch referee for missing the incident due to poor visibility, Mourinho criticized the fourth official for declining to intervene and stated that the Video Assistant Referee team failed to perform their duties properly.
Despite those specific criticisms, Mourinho emphasized that he retains overall confidence in Spanish refereeing standards, including in European Champions League fixtures, rejecting any suggestion that officials are biased or linked to historical refereeing controversies such as the Negreira scandal. He acknowledged that officiating decisions inevitably influence match outcomes at times, but accepted such errors as part of football.
Mourinho also distinguished between factors Vinicius can manage himself and those that fall under official oversight. He noted that the player must control and refine his reactions to hostile opposition crowds when crowd behavior is not homophobic or racist, whereas physical fouls, tackles, and penalty decisions remain the sole responsibility of the match judge.
Lightheartedly addressing how he would react to aggressive tackling, the Portuguese coach joked that his own temperament would likely lead to a red card within a minute if he were subjected to similar physical treatment on the pitch.
Return to the Santiago Bernabéu
The upcoming match against Real Sociedad marks Mourinho's return to the bench at the 85,000-capacity Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid. However, the manager insisted that public attention should remain firmly focused on the team rather than on his personal return to the home dugout.
He recalled that the relationship between supporters and the squad experienced difficult moments during the previous season, but stressed that the club is not starting from scratch this year. Mourinho expressed his desire for fans to channel their passion directly toward the players and generate a positive home atmosphere.
The manager stated that he feels fully capable of managing his emotions during what he described as an unusual match, emphasizing that the primary objective remains securing three vital points in the league standings. He warned that Real Sociedad possess a strong footballing identity and high-caliber players who will make the encounter challenging.
Reflecting on the atmosphere from the opening victory away at Espanyol, Mourinho noted how the home crowd supported their team and stated that Real Madrid expect similar backing from their own fans at the Bernabéu. He urged his squad to display consistent hunger, attitude, resilience, strength, and composure on the pitch to earn the crowd's recognition.
Personal evolution and squad management
Mourinho reflected on his personal development over recent years, asserting that he now feels calmer and maintains far greater control over his emotions when handling the pressures of a long campaign. He quipped that his players have not shown any signs of laziness, joking that the squad might be protecting him from revealing his dark side.
Turning to tactical adaptations within the squad, Mourinho discussed the positional role of versatile midfielder Fede Valverde. He explained that deploying the Uruguayan international at right-back naturally reduces his touches on the ball, requiring alternative tactical solutions from the team.
The coach cited English international defender Trent Alexander-Arnold as an example of a full-back who can operate inside to help build play. He added that Alexander-Arnold's crossing quality, combined with the physical box presence of young forward Carlos Espí, offers Real Madrid a valuable offensive alternative when attacking aerial balls.
Player fitness and fixture scheduling
Mourinho confirmed that French international midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni will miss the upcoming fixture as he continues his recovery from a physical issue sustained during the FIFA World Cup. He revealed that summer vacation was insufficient to resolve the problem after Tchouameni played through pain during the international tournament.
The coaching staff decided against rushing the French midfielder back into action, determining that a player should not begin a season suffering from physical discomfort. Mourinho announced that Tchouameni will be given an additional one or two weeks to recover fully before returning to competitive action.
Mourinho commended LaLiga authorities for exercising common sense by delaying the start of the season for clubs whose players featured heavily in the World Cup, noting that facing Real Sociedad in the opening match without adequate preparation would have been problematic. He concluded by emphasizing that professional squads must remain physically prepared to handle demanding schedules requiring three matches per week.
