Mourinho sees Bernabeu criticism as part of Real Madrid’s winning culture

 

Real Madrid’s 4-1 La Liga victory over Real Sociedad was accompanied by whistles from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd, but manager Jose Mourinho and club president Florentino Perez are not believed to be concerned by the reaction.

The home supporters expressed their frustration during the match after a below-par first half ended 1-1. Real Madrid ultimately secured a convincing win, but their performance before the break raised questions and fell short of the level expected by the club’s demanding fan base.

According to Defensa Central, Mourinho and Perez understand the way Real Madrid supporters respond to the team’s performances. They are convinced that the whistles will eventually turn into applause as the side improves, and believe that change could come in a little over a month.

Mourinho addressed the reaction during his post-match news conference, saying the atmosphere at the Bernabeu was familiar to him and to the players who have experienced it before.

“We know the Bernabeu, the players know it, and I know it too. For those who have just arrived, it is their first experience. Thank God things are happening this way, because this is the result of history,” he said.

The Portuguese manager suggested that the whistles should not necessarily be viewed as a crisis. Instead, he described them as a reflection of the standards that come with representing Real Madrid.

“The demands come from history. Real Madrid always have great players and great teams, but the fans want more. In the end, there is a difference between being a supporter and being a player or a coach,” Mourinho added.

The club’s position is that the response from the stands is linked to the expectations created by Real Madrid’s history and status. A positive result was achieved against Real Sociedad, but the performance was judged against a much higher benchmark.

There is also confidence within the club that the team’s displays will improve as the season progresses. People regarded as reliable sources at Valdebebas say Mourinho is very pleased with the way training sessions are developing and believe the work being carried out by the squad is already of a high standard.

That confidence means the whistles are currently being interpreted as temporary criticism rather than evidence of a serious breakdown between the team and its supporters. Mourinho and Perez are understood to expect the Bernabeu’s mood to change once the team begins to perform more consistently.

For now, the reaction remains an indication of the pressure surrounding Real Madrid, even after a three-goal victory. The club’s leadership believes that the same supporters who demanded more during the 4-1 win will applaud the team when its performances begin to match the expectations attached to the badge.