Real Madrid are one of only five teams with a hundred percent winning record in the UEFA Champions League this season.
The club will be looking to maintain that tally as they take on AEK Athens on Wednesday, a game where Jose Mourinho has decided to rest a couple of key players .
Heading into this game, Mourinho talked about his team selection, chances of winning the UCL as well as the tragic demise of Jesus de Miguel.
Mourinho started by talking about the importance of three points against AEK Athens, as it would put them in a comfortable position in the league table.
"We're close to qualifying through the playoffs but far from the round of 16. We need points and we must play a serious match against a strong opponent in their stadium.
"The fact that Real Madrid has only won one of eight European matches in Athens is significant. We have to play at our best, seriously, and try to maintain our level of play. We need points," he said.
Mourinho is looking for three points in Athens. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The Real Madrid coach was asked about the team's comeback win over AS Roma and whether or not that was the turning point for the season.
"I don't have that feeling. The comeback had a positive impact from an emotional point of view, of course, but I don't think it was a turning point in terms of our play.
" I believe more in the process; we get to know each other better and better, every training session and match gives us the opportunity to improve, we keep discovering each other… Every experience we have makes us more aware of one another.
" This accumulation of work and experience is what makes teams better. I don't believe in turning points," he said.
Mourinho was also asked about whether or not this current Real Madrid setup is comparable to the one he had during his first stint at the Bernabeu, though the Portuguese tactician refused to draw a comparison.
"I don't like to make comparisons. Not of players, not of teams, not of periods. We're talking about many years ago, I don't like it. This team has great potential, without a doubt. The other one had it too and won many titles; with me only three, but then they won for many years.
"This team hasn't won anything yet. We'll see what the future holds, but I'm very happy with the squad I have," he said.
With three wins in three matches, Real Madrid are among the favourite to top the league phase, which naturally puts them as one of the favourites for the trophy as well.
Mourinho was asked what it would mean for him to win the Champions League with Real Madrid following his grand return.
"It would be my third Champions League title with three different clubs. It would be winning it with the biggest club in the world. But we're talking about hypothetical situations, and I prefer the real ones. We need more points to qualify,"he replied.
"Until then, I don't even want to talk about the round of 16. We've got nine points, six of them against two very, very tough teams, but we have to keep going.
"Tomorrow will be a difficult match after an inconvenient trip between two important league games. Since we're here, we have to win," he added.
He went on to talk about certain Real Madrid individuals, including Federico Valverde, who has emerged as a regular in the right-back position.
"I see him as a very important player for the team. The fact that he's the captain of Real Madrid makes him look at things differently. When you're the captain, you have to be different.
" It's a responsibility, and that will mean he'll play left-back if necessary for his team and his teammates. I'm absolutely sure he won't have any problem playing anywhere. The squad was built with Valverde in mind as a midfielder and two good right-backs.
Mourinho did confirm that Valverde could return to midfield eventually, but he pointed to the intense competition in the middle of the park.
"I'm sure he'll return to playing in midfield, no matter how happy he is with his performance at full-back and how well the team is playing.
Mourinho hinted Valverde will eventually returned to midfield but not now. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
"In midfield, we have Bernardo, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Pitarch… and that's it. That's why I think he'll play at full-back, but he'll surely have to play in midfield as well."
Mourinho also talked about Vinicius Jr., who is a surefire starter against AEK Athens in light of his domestic suspension which will continue when Real Madrid take on Villarreal on the weekend.
"He'll start, he'll play. You're forgetting about Brahim, Endrick… We have a lot of quality players in attack. Having many players isn't a problem, the problem is having too few.
"Diomande can play on both wings, Brahim and Endrick too. Vinicius is perhaps the most suited to the left wing, we know that."
Finally, Mourinho offered his thoughts on the demise of Leganes footballer Jesus de Miguel, which has shocked the footballing world.
" These are everyone's words. It's a shocking thing for the world in general, imagine for people like us, in the world of football, who are on the field competing every day. It's hard and sad.
" All my words and feelings go out to the family and friends of the player who passed away. I think it must also be a very difficult time for the other player involved in the situation," he concluded.
Source Diario SPORT
