Jose Mourinho leapt to the defence of Vinicius Jr after the Real Madrid winger was again the subject of boos and whistles from frustrated supporters.
The Brazil international, who ended a lengthy contract stand-off by signing a new six-year deal last month, struggled to make an impact as Madrid edged out Inter Milan 2-1 in a wild Champions League encounter last night, first half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde proving enough despite Carlos Augusto’s reply.
Match Statistics
Vinicius Jr was eventually taken off with three minutes to go and the home fans were less than generous with their reception, but Mourinho insisted his best form would return.
“If he works for the team, he always has my support,” said Mourinho. “Does this mean that you have to be a starter in each game? Does he have to play for 90 minutes each game? No. But you will always have my respect and affection.
“And he has worked a lot for the team. Playing against a team that plays with its eyes closed, with three behind and that projects to the sides the way they do… it is very difficult for the wingers. His work and Brahim Diaz’s has been very good. Closing well on the inside and letting the full-backs press on the outside. He has done a very good job for the team.
“Obviously, in one of those actions where he had a one-on-one on the left wing, the Vini who is at full tilt kills games. He kills them, like he killed me last year here, with Benfica. Then we were 1-1, in a very close match. And he took a transition and ended the game. This is what we expect from him. But those who give everything, are not obliged to give more. He has no more to give. And he has given everything. When he gives everything, the coach is with him.”
Diplomatic Mourinho refuses to criticise Real Madrid fans
Vinicius Jr’s relationship with the Madrid crowd has deteriorated over the past 12 months but Mourinho refused to criticise supporters who vented their irritation last night.
He added: “I don’t criticise the fans, I don’t talk about the fans. I speak as a coach and about my relationship with him: he deserves all my respect. He’s not at his best, I see that, we all see it. But he’s the first one to know. He is working hard to be the Vinicius who decides game after game.
“But by not being at his best, at the moment, he is working more than ever… whether in training or in games. The few times he has not been able to get back and defend with the block, it was due to fatigue. Because he has made four, five, six sprints. And it’s not easy.
“I have a lot of respect for this Vinicius that I have found. And it will come… the time will come when he decides matches. And he wins them.”
Courtois saves Real Madrid
Madrid were somewhat fortunate to emerge with the three points with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois having to pull off a series of brilliant saves to preserve their advantage.
“The summary is that it could have ended 5-1 or 6-1 for us or it could have finished 6-6,” Mourinho said. “I don’t want to say that Inter could have won the game, because we have created more and in crucial moments, such as the [possible] 3-0 in the last moment of the first half or Jude Bellingham’s at the beginning of the second.
“But, crazy game. A madness that I don’t like. I don’t like it. I like it much more to be able to score five, six or seven but having absolute control and not needing an absolutely incredible goalkeeper.
“And I can’t isolate my words from the context that we play against a great team. Great team. With a thousand options. They made changes and I couldn’t make the changes I wanted in the centre of the field.
“It was a very tough game, with three very important points. There are already three less to qualify. I am absolutely convinced that we are going to do it. But getting these three points the first time is important.”
Next up for Madrid is a home game with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday before two more league matches prior to the international break: at Elche and then the season’s first derby at home to Atletico on September 20.
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