Real Madrid News
Manchester City new signing was Mourinho’s preferred midfield target for Real Madrid – report
Real Madrid have done a lot of smart business this summer and it has been evident in the results so far this season.
However, one area the club have struggled to reinforce is the midfield unit. Los Blancos were close to signing Rodri, but the Spanish international ended up joining Barcelona, much to the frustration of coach Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho, though, may have been more frustrated about Real Madrid missing out on another midfielder in Enzo Fernandez.
Fernandez was Mourinho’s preferred pick
According to The Athletic, Fernandez was Mourinho’s preferred option to reinforce the team’s midfield unit this summer.
This is despite the fact that Real Madrid have denied the claim, with the club so far as to issuing a public press release saying they had no interest in the player.
Enzo ended up joining Manchester City in a deal worth almost €150 million, effectively making him the most expensive transfer of the summer.
The Argentine international also became the first player to have had two transfers in his career worth over €100 million.
What is Real Madrid’s play?
Fortunately for Real Madrid, the club have performed well early on in the new season with existing stars like Jude Bellingham taking a lot of initiative.
Bellingham has gelled with Eduardo Camavinga, thus adding the much needed solidity in the middle of the park.
That stability will be tested against better oppositions, though, and it will be interesting to see how the pack performs in those crunch matches. Real Madrid’s next game is against Real Betis, followed by a Champions League matchup against Inter Milan.
If Mourinho spots any weakness against these better teams, it won’t be surprising to see Real Madrid going after a new midfielder in the January transfer window.
That is where the availability with someone like Enzo Fernandez could have been handy. But now that the midfielder has joined Man City, Real Madrid must find other options in the market.
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.
