Mourinho tells Thiago Pitarch to build his strength ahead of Malaga match

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho joked that young defender Thiago Pitarch has legs like his own, while insisting the player must work hard to strengthen them before he is ready to return to the team.

Mourinho was speaking at his pre-match news conference before Real Madrid host Malaga in the third round of La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The Portuguese also praised Jude Bellingham and explained that his idea of a training camp was less about staying in a hotel and more about maintaining focus and concentration.

“There are two types of camps,” Mourinho said. “The type you are talking about, where we meet and sleep in a hotel in Valdebebas. But the camp that matters to me is here, in my head. It has nothing to do with sleeping in a hotel. It is here.”

He added: “Sometimes I think, and it makes me sad, that all we see in camps is warm-up exercises and quick training sessions. In my other job, there is a great deal of focus. That is what matters to me. Whether we sleep or not depends on the circumstances.”

Real Madrid will spend time together before the match, although Mourinho said the arrangements would not apply equally to the whole squad.

“We will not sleep today,” he said. “We have a tactical meeting now and we will eat together. We will stay together a little longer and then meet again in the morning. Espe, Cucurella and I will sleep here, while the others will return to their homes.”

Mourinho praises Bellingham

Mourinho described Bellingham as a player with a rare combination of qualities and said the England midfielder was central to the way he wants Real Madrid to play.

“He is a unique player and extremely important for the team,” Mourinho said. “He has many talents, physical, mental and tactical, as well as the ability to win the ball back, a goalscoring threat and strength in the air. He is an impressive player.”

The manager said he understood why there had been questions about the balance of the team but remained satisfied with the players available to him.

“I understand the questions, but I am very happy with everyone,” he said. “As I said, we have great players here, truly great players. The team must work as one complete unit.

“Real Madrid supporters go to the Bernabeu to watch these players who can change the course of a match, but they also go to watch a team that plays as one unit, suffers and fights as one unit and controls the game as one unit. I am the coach of this team and I admire the players I have.”

Pitarch waits for his opportunity

Mourinho also discussed Pitarch’s position after the youngster impressed defensively alongside Alvaro Arbeloa but found attacking play more difficult.

“With Arbeloa, he gave a great performance in defence,” Mourinho said. “In attack, the situation is different and he had difficulties. But he dealt well with the players. There is not a single player in Castilla that I do not like.

“Thiago showed that he is no longer suited to playing with Castilla. I like him very much. He is part of this group of 21 players.”

Mourinho said the squad also included Arribas, Ciria and Sestero, with two goalkeepers among the substitutes because of the limited options available.

“When Pitarch is ready, he will join the team and get a chance to play,” Mourinho added. “I always tell him that the muscles in his legs are exactly like mine, and that he must work on strengthening them through hard training.”