Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has insisted that no player is guaranteed a place in his starting lineup, declaring that performances on the pitch, rather than reputation or transfer fees, will determine who earns the right to play.
The Portuguese coach made the remarks ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Madrid will look to extend their perfect start to the competition.
Los Blancos have won their opening two matches against Inter Milan and AS Roma, with last week’s remarkable 4-3 comeback against the Italian side further boosting confidence ahead of their third league-phase fixture.
Asked whether Vinícius Júnior was untouchable in his team, Mourinho made his position clear.
“The badge is untouchable. I don’t like this concept of an untouchable player. What makes players untouchable isn’t their status, the captain’s armband, or the years they’ve spent at the club. Nor is it about how much was paid for them. What makes a player untouchable is their performance on the pitch.”
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid Manager
Mourinho Puts Performance Above Reputation
Mourinho’s comments underline his determination to establish a competitive environment at Madrid, where even established stars must continue to justify their places in the team.
He also stressed that his tactical approach would remain flexible as he continued to assess the strengths of his squad and identify the combinations best suited to different opponents.
Leipzig Pose Another Test for Los Blancos
Real Madrid’s immediate focus is on Leipzig, who arrive at the Bernabéu looking to strengthen their own qualification prospects after picking their first win in the competition last week against PSV.
The coach, who returned to the Spanish giants in the summer, acknowledged that his side still has significant work to do despite its encouraging results in the opening weeks of the season. “There’s still a long way to go and there’s always room for improvement, both individually and collectively,” the Portuguese tactician explained.
Despite Madrid’s strong start, Mourinho warned that their opponents should not be underestimated because of their heavy 6-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
“Leipzig is not the team that lost so badly in Munich. It’s the team that beat PSV, that has three points, and that wants to qualify.”
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
The Madrid coach also cautioned that winning their opening fixtures would not guarantee another victory, insisting his players must maintain their intensity to get more wins.
Real Madrid are among nine teams to have collected maximum points from their first two Champions League matches, but Mourinho believes a substantial points tally will be required to avoid the knockout playoffs and secure automatic passage to the round of 16.
Champions League Ambitions and El Clásico
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan head coach is pursuing a third Champions League title as a manager, while Los Blancos are targeting a record-extending 16th European crown.
Victory against Leipzig would strengthen their position in the league phase and move them closer to the automatic qualification places, although Mourinho has insisted that his immediate objective is to secure a top-eight finish.
The Leipzig encounter also comes just days before Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, setting up a crucial period for Real Madrid as they seek to maintain their momentum on both domestic and European fronts.
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