Mourinho expects ‘tough’ AEK test as Vinicius Jr returns for Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho says his side must produce their best performance to overcome AEK Athens in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting in Greece.

Mourinho’s team arrive at the Allywn Arena having won their past 10 matches in all competitions, including each of their three games in the European league phase.

But AEK are expected to provide a demanding test despite a difficult recent run. The Greek champions have lost their last two Champions League fixtures, were eliminated from the Greece Cup by PAOK and were beaten by Panathinaikos in their most recent league game.

“The game will be tough for many reasons,” Mourinho told his pre-match news conference.

“They are the champions [of Greece], and we’ve faced many champions in this series of eight games. Greece, traditionally, is a tough place to play.

“Even Real Madrid, the kings of Europe, have only won one of their eight games in Greece, if I’m not mistaken, and with a challenging result last season. I think, as everyone does, that they see their home games as their best opportunity to earn points, and they’ll fight for it.

“For us, it’s an honour, but it’s reality, and we expect a tough match. To win it, we have to be at our best. If we’re not, we won’t win.”

The Portuguese manager also confirmed that Brazil winger Vinicius Jr will return to the starting line-up or squad against AEK, while highlighting the attacking options available to him.

“He [Vini Jr] plays tomorrow,” said the 63-year-old.

“You’re forgetting Brahim [Diaz], Endrick. We have a lot of players there with quality. For me, having many players is never a problem. The problem is having too few.

“Diomande and Brahim are players who can play on both wings. Endrick, more on the right but also on the left. Of all of them, Vini is the player best adapted to playing on the left wing.”

Vinicius Jr’s availability gives Mourinho another option on the left, where he believes the Brazilian is the most naturally suited of his current group of attacking players.

However, Turkey midfielder Arda Guler will not be involved in Athens. Mourinho expects Guler to recover in time to be considered for Real Madrid’s next La Liga match, against Valencia on Saturday.