Tomorrow morning at 03.00 CEST, Real Madrid will face Inter Milan in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Ahead of the match, Mourinho gave an official interview with UEFA, discussing his feelings about returning and his hopes for the future.

On returning to Real Madrid

This is my second return to a former club; I returned to Chelsea before: I left in 2008 and came back in 2013. When I first arrived at Real Madrid in 2010, I arrived fresh off winning the Treble. I won the Champions League and every trophy with Inter Milan, as well as the first FIFA World Coach of the Year award. At that time, I had just completed a very successful season.

However, this time I joined without winning any titles. The club chose to sign me based on their knowledge of me in the past, and given the club's situation at the time, they believed I was the answer, that I could help the team out of difficulties. This confidence makes me proud.

Last season in Portugal, I didn't hide what Benfica means to me, a feeling I rarely express in my career. I was very comfortable at Benfica, I liked it there, and I was very confident we were building a squad that would deliver results in the short term. But Real Madrid is Real Madrid, and that says it all.

On Real Madrid's group stage opponents in the Champions League

Everyone knows the strength of Inter Milan and Arsenal. Arsenal has been chasing the Champions League title for over two decades, and last season they came just short of achieving that dream. They have the potential to win and will fight hard to reach their goal. Inter Milan has an outstanding squad; you could say they get stronger year after year.

This team has used a five-defender system under various coaches for years. When one player leaves, a stronger player fills the gap. Without doubt, both teams will fight hard to compete for the Champions League trophy this season. Additionally, Roma's squad this season is very impressive.

There are also teams like RB Leipzig, PSV Eindhoven, and AEK Athens, all with deep European traditions. I don't want to be arrogant and simply state that we will definitely advance. I'm confident we can progress, but the process certainly won't be easy. We must fight from match to match and battle for every point.

On returning to Real Madrid and aiming for a strong start

We must remain optimistic, but also realistic and keep a clear mind. Optimism means understanding that setbacks will always come; building a united, strong, and positive-minded team is the best way to overcome difficulties.

This season is not a straight road; there are hills, valleys, and turns along the way. We must be able to overcome these obstacles. We have started the new season with a winning streak, and our performances have been good, presenting a completely different image to the outside world compared to last season.

On constantly being under high pressure

Real Madrid is a big club, and we are very aware of it. We carry great responsibility, and external expectations are very high, but I can adapt to this pressure. At every match, the spotlight is on me.

My coaching staff and data analysts know that as soon as a match ends, whether on the bus or plane, they must give me preparation materials for the next match.

I don't have the chance to take a day off the next day, to tell myself, "I won't think about football, I won't think about the next match, I can rest for a bit." One match ends, and preparation for the next one immediately begins, an endless continuous cycle.

The motivation that keeps you going

My goal is always to win the next match. This cycle has existed since my coaching career began over twenty years ago, and it will only end on the day I truly leave football, always thinking, "win the next match."

Which competition is most important? I don't have a definite answer. If tomorrow there's a Copa del Rey match, then Copa del Rey is the most important competition; after that, if the next match is in the league, then the league becomes the top priority.

My desire to win is constant, emerging continuously from one match to the next. If I won yesterday, I still want to win again; if I lost yesterday, I don't want to experience defeat again, I crave victory. In this cycle, the instinct to win constantly drives me; that's my nature.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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