Real Madrid News
Barcelona icon fires shots at Real Madrid and Mourinho: ‘Perfect coach to make sure people talk about everything except football’
Real Madrid have stolen the limelight of the Spanish media this summer, right from the surprise elections to the appointment of Jose Mourinho and now the rapid signings in the summer.
Intriguingly, Los Blancos have been targeting the same players who Barcelona have been linked to this summer and have beaten their rivals to two signings in Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella
Now, a former Barcelona player has called out Real Madrid for their approach and all the noise around their summer transfer window. Unsurprisingly, it indeed is Gerard Pique once again who spoken out.
Pique speaks on Mourinho and Arbeloa
The former Barcelona defender opened up in a recent interview on the managerial change at Real Madrid and what he made of the decision to bring Jose Mourinho back.
Pique hit out at the Portuguese coach and called him out for dramatising everything except action on the field.
“The perfect coach to create a spectacle and make sure people talk about everything except football,” he said.
He was then asked about Alvaro Arbeloa and what he made of the former Real Madrid manager’s run in the position. Pique, remaining sarcastic, mocked Arbeloa for his tactics and results.
“[I hoped he would stay so] the Champions League trophies can keep sitting in the display cabinets.”
“During the season I wished him all the best, just not that he would win titles,” he added.
On Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid
Pique was then asked to comment on the transfer of his compatriot and former Barcelona player Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, and he revealed that he had no malice towards the left-back despite the news.
“I haven’t criticised the player. I wish him a great career. He’s a good player, even if he has signed for Real Madrid.”
He then spoke on how he kept personal relations and club allegiance separate, saying,
“It’s different to wish a player well personally and to want his team not to win any titles.”
Pique then hit out at Real Madrid’s transfer strategy this summer and their pursuit of every player that Barcelona consider a target.
“Real Madrid gets involved in the middle of every transfer deal.”
Source: AS
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
