Mourinho demands maximum points from Real Madrid before international break

Jose Mourinho has told his Real Madrid players they must collect all nine available points before the first international break of the season after the defeat by Real Betis disrupted the club’s plans.

Mourinho had wanted Real Madrid to reach the break with a perfect record of 21 points from 21. The aim was to build confidence as the team developed, while also putting pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

However, the setback against Real Betis means Real Madrid are already three points behind the leaders after only four rounds of matches.

According to AS, Mourinho has not eased his demands. Instead, he has stressed to the squad that taking the maximum points before the international break is now more important than ever. Nine points remain available and the manager believes all of them are required if Real Madrid are to maintain their strength in the title race.

Mourinho had warned of the difficulty of the Real Betis fixture and previously outlined the pressure involved in competing in Spain.

“There is constant pressure here to win every time,” he said. “In France or Germany, the favourites know they will be champions every year. Here, that is not the case. This pressure involves a great deal of risk.”

The first of the three remaining matches is at home to Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu. On paper, it is the most straightforward of the fixtures, with Rayo having made a poor start to the campaign and previous meetings strongly favouring Real Madrid.

Rayo Vallecano have not won at the Santiago Bernabeu since 1996 and have taken a point on only one of their past 14 league visits.

The challenge is expected to increase with a trip to Elche, who are second from bottom in the table. Elche have traditionally proved difficult opponents for Real Madrid at home, as shown last season when they secured a 2-2 draw at the Martinez Valero.

Real Madrid’s final match before the break will be the derby against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.

Atletico have also struggled for consistency, winning only two of their five matches. Their start was similarly unconvincing last season, but Real Madrid still suffered a heavy blow when they visited their neighbours.

That 5-2 defeat marked the beginning of the end for manager Xabi Alonso, and Mourinho is now aware of the consequences another difficult derby could bring.

Barcelona, meanwhile, will face Levante, Racing and Sevilla before the international break. The Catalan side are regarded as favourites in all three games, although the visit to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is considered the most difficult assignment on paper.