Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Mourinho Rejects Champions League Pressure Before Real Madrid Opener
José Mourinho is coaching Real Madrid again.
He says he does not feel extra pressure because he did not win the Champions League during his first time at the club.
Real Madrid are about to play Inter Milan in their first Champions League match.
The game will take place at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
The team recently lost 1-0 to Real Betis in the Spanish league.
Mourinho says the team needs to become more consistent.
Kylian Mbappé was asked about the team’s dressing room.
He said it feels the same as last year, even though the coach is different.
José Mourinho said he feels no added pressure to win the Champions League during his second Real Madrid spell.
Real Madrid will open their Champions League campaign against Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mourinho said his current responsibilities are separate from his first spell, when the Champions League eluded him.
Real Madrid are responding to a 1-0 LaLiga defeat by Real Betis, their first setback under Mourinho this spell.
Kylian Mbappé said the dressing-room atmosphere is the same as last year despite a different coach.
- Who
- José Mourinho, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Kylian Mbappé are central to the report.
- What
- Mourinho said he feels no added Champions League pressure before Real Madrid’s opener against Inter Milan.
- When
- Ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League opener; Real Madrid had lost to Real Betis on Friday.
- Where
- The opener will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
- Why
- Mourinho said his second spell should be judged separately from his first, while Real Madrid seek greater stability and a major trophy after two trophyless seasons.
Mourinho’s View
Pressure And Performance View
Champions League expectations
Mourinho’s View
Mourinho said his second Real Madrid spell is separate from his first and that he is not indebted to the club for failing to win the competition previously.
Pressure And Performance View
Real Madrid are under pressure to perform after two seasons without a major trophy, and the Champions League is described as the major trophy that eluded Mourinho in his first spell.
Team condition
Mourinho’s View
Mourinho said Real Madrid need stability and structure to achieve something great.
Pressure And Performance View
The team’s 1-0 defeat by Real Betis has created scrutiny ahead of the Champions League opener, while questions have also been raised about the dressing-room atmosphere.
- Manager
- José Mourinho
- Competition
- Champions League
- Opening opponent
- Inter Milan, the Serie A champions
- Venue
- Santiago Bernabéu
- Recent result
- Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Real Betis in LaLiga
- Mourinho’s position
- He said he feels no added pressure to win the Champions League
- Dressing-room assessment
- Kylian Mbappé said it is the same as last year despite a different coach