Mourinho:”In another team, Diomandé would start every match”

Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho spoke to the media this morning ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Elche (9:30 p.m.).

What kind of Real Madrid do you want to see against Elche?

“I want to win. I’d like us to play well and win.”

The best version of Vinicius

“The best version is when he scores. Assists are important, working for the team is very important, his daily work is important, and he does all of that very well. But there is another Vinicius. The Vinicius who arrived at Benfica last year, had one chance, scored one goal and went home. He is still missing that truly top-level performance.”

The importance of Arda Güler

“There are people more qualified than me to talk about his development, especially physically. But for me, his quality is incredible: his vision, decision-making, the stability he gives the team and his ability to create. His potential is fantastic and his statistics are already very interesting.

“We carry out deeper analysis internally. I wouldn’t perhaps go as far as saying top, top, top three times, but yes: top, top.”

Three more months before we see the Real Madrid you want?

“I ask for three months, others ask for ten years! Maybe I explained myself badly. What I mean is that in three months I want us to be better than we are today. There is no magic formula that means in three months we will suddenly be incredible.

“With every match and every training session, the objective is to improve. The longer a team works together and spends time with its coach, the greater its chances of becoming strong.”

Pressing high up the pitch

‼️🇨🇮 MOURINHO, sobre Yan DIOMANDE: "¿Qué necesita para ser titular? No le falta nada, pero está en el Real Madrid con esta plantilla. Si estuviera en OTRO EQUIPO sería TITULAR y jugaría siempre los 90 minutos"

"A lo largo del año a algunos les empieza a faltar la gasolina,… pic.twitter.com/gexAvSluGK

— Madrid Sports (@MadridSports_) September 14, 2026

“I don’t think it is possible to press high for 90 minutes. It is not our profile and very few teams in the world can do it. When we defend deeper, we must also know how to work differently.

“I don’t like a low block, but some players are more suited to it. I don’t want a contradiction between what I like and the qualities of the squad.

“What I don’t accept is defending passively. I also don’t want us to suffer too much, allowing the opponent to have several shots, forcing the goalkeeper into incredible saves or giving away four or five corners.”

Tchouaméni and the international break

“I don’t know the France coach’s intentions and we have to respect his decisions. Maybe the best thing is for Tchouaméni to join the national team but have his minutes controlled.

“I haven’t spoken to Zidane, but I think he is a sensible man. I trust him to manage the situation properly without compromising Tchouaméni’s season.”

Measures to avoid injuries

“We work with a global, professional plan and very good coordination between the players, technical staff, prevention specialists and medical department.

“When the players arrive earlier, it isn’t because I want to make their lives difficult. It is work. Before you see them training on the pitch, they may already have done 35 minutes of preparation.

“So far, the numbers are positive. Valverde came off at half-time the other day as a precaution because he felt a small discomfort. At 0-0, he would have continued, but at 3-0 we protected him.”

Will Tchouaméni start?

“I think in terms of minutes. Against Inter he played 10 or 15 minutes, against Rayo 20 or 25. We will progressively increase that. He is getting stronger and gaining confidence. Tomorrow he will play, but I cannot tell you for how long.”

Lamine Yamal says he deserves the Ballon d’Or

“I cannot comment on every player’s statements. I respect what a player says.”

Can Valverde and Tchouaméni play together?

“Yes. It is not always 2+1. It can also be 1+2, with one No. 6 and two No. 8s. Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Bernardo, Valverde and Jude are different profiles. We always try to find the right balance without losing our identity.”

What does Diomandé still need to become a regular starter?

“Nothing. In a team with fewer high-potential players, he would probably play 90 minutes every week. But this is Real Madrid and the squad is very strong.

“Being an undisputed starter here is extremely difficult.”

Two matches again this week?

“Six press conferences in one week! In other countries I was sometimes allowed to skip one. I’m tired of you, you’re tired of me, but we’re here because it’s our job,” Mourinho joked.

“The players are tired too, but we have to continue. Elche played on Saturday as well, so we go again.”

Could one of the attacking trio start on the bench?

“I trust players to understand their own bodies. We only have two days between matches, so today is important to assess their feelings, listen to the medical staff and study the training data.

“But if everything is normal, I will start them again tomorrow.”

As Mourinho left the room, he turned back towards the journalists with a smile:

“Nothing about penalties today? No? Strange…”