Real Madrid News
Huijsen talks Mourinho, Mbappe, Courtois, Konate after Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan: ‘We could have won 5-0 or 6-1’
Dean Huijsen has revealed that Jose Mourinho is demanding more from him after the Real Madrid defender played another important role in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
Huijsen has established himself in the heart of Madrid’s defence this season, but the 21-year-old insists his strong start means little unless he can maintain that level throughout the campaign.
He also credited Mourinho for challenging him to reach another level.
“I think he’s really on my case. He pushes me hard, and that’s good because he knows what I’m capable of.
“He helps me a lot and I’m happy. He pushes me so that I can improve and take that step forward,” he said.
Huijsen refuses to get carried away
Despite becoming an increasingly important part of Real Madrid’s defence, Huijsen was keen to keep his early-season form in perspective.
“We have to keep it up. Five matches are nothing; we need to have a good season as a whole.”
The defender was also pleased with the victory over Inter but felt Madrid should have put the contest beyond doubt much earlier.
“They’re a great team and have reached the Champions League final in each of the last two years. We have to keep it up; it’s the three points that count.
“I think we played a good match. If we’d managed to make it 3–0, it would have been over there and then,” he said.
Mourinho wants greater competitiveness
Huijsen again highlighted Madrid’s missed chances when asked about ThibautCourtois’ performance.
“It was a mad match, but if we’d made it 3–0… I think we had one at the end of the first half and quite a few in the second.
“If we’d managed to score them, we could have won 5–0 or 6–1,” he noted.
He also backed Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or prospects, stating,
“I don’t know, I’m not one of those who votes. I think he’s in with a very good chance. We know the quality he possesses.
“He’s a very special player and I hope he continues to score plenty of goals for us,” he said.
Mourinho’s demand for greater competitiveness was another theme of Huijsen’s assessment.
“I think we need to be a bit more competitive; that’s what the manager said.
“At the end of the day, football is also about emotions and you have to be more competitive,” he explained.
Huijsen also praised his centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate by concluding,
“He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s excellent in defence and on the ball too.
“He’s strong, tall and doesn’t shy away from a challenge. We get on well together.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder uses the international break as a ‘pre-season’ to regain fitness and rhythm
According to AS, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has fully capitalised on the extended international break to regain his fitness and rhythm.
The French midfielder has been using the past two weeks to have the ‘pre-season’ he did not get during the summer with an injury.
There is still a third week to come, the one that is beginning now, and it will be the week when he gets the green light to complete his conditioning. But the signs have been excellent. In short, everything is going according to plan.
Tchouameni played in the derby against Atletico Madrid without being at his physical and sporting best. He was fully recovered from his injury, but lacked match rhythm.
After staying in Madrid during the international break, he has worked hard on what was missing. Now he is ready.
A key player for Mourinho
Tchouameni is a key player for the coaching staff, the player who is expected to provide stability to the team. He is important in the build-up and, above all, provides defensive strength.
That is inevitably a concern: Real Madrid have conceded nine goals in eight matches. The problem became bigger in the last two games as the Merengues let in two against Elche and two in the derby.
Tchouameni played in both the matches, but it was clear that he was short of training and needed more minutes.
And, France manager Zinedine Zidane decided to not call him up so that he can work on those things while staying back in Madrid.
A lot of hard work
These have been weeks of a heavy physical workload for Tchouameni with very few days off. While many of his teammates have been able to enjoy some time away, he has understood that these three weeks are about making up for lost time.
It is the specific preparation he could not do in the summer because of the injury he carried from the World Cup.
Inside Valdebebas, the message is that he has spent “hours and hours” working – many in the gym, many out on the pitch, combining sessions with his team-mates with individual, personalised work.
The focus has been on getting his physical condition back to where it needs to be.
Centre-back crisis
In the short term, the situation is serious. Villarreal are next for Real Madrid, and everything suggests that Tchouameni will start, possibly at centre-back.
Eder Militao is already working on the pitch but will not return until at least November. Dean Huijsen is suspended after being sent off in the derby, while Raul Asencio has just undergone surgery and will be out for at least three months.
And, Ibrahima Konate is being handled with caution after returning from the France camp with an injury.
Given the situation, Mourinho will have to choose between Tchouameni and a youth-team player such as Oscar Naasei, Joan Martínez or Mario Rivas to partner Antonio Rudiger.
That decision will come later. For now, Tchouameni is about making the most of the present. by going to Valdebebas, pushing himself, recovering his fitness, his confidence and his rhythm.
