Mourinho urges Real Madrid to match Real Betis’ gamesmanship after La Liga defeat

Jose Mourinho said Real Madrid were too “pure and naive” in their 1-0 defeat by Real Betis, arguing that their opponents were more adept at influencing the game and winning important decisions.

The defeat came on Friday at La Cartuja in the fourth round of La Liga, with Real Madrid unable to find a way past Real Betis despite Mourinho’s frustration at several incidents during the match.

Speaking at his post-match news conference, Mourinho said: “Real Betis players are, in this sense, more intelligent than Real Madrid players; Real Madrid players are pure and naive. In the first incident of the match, there was an obvious yellow card for a player who hit Federico Valverde. One minute later, there was another yellow card for a player who committed an important foul on Vinicius Junior.”

The Portuguese manager said Real Madrid players had made it harder for themselves by quickly getting back to their feet after challenges, while Real Betis had used the atmosphere and pressure around the match more effectively.

“Real Madrid players get up immediately, while Real Betis players are more intelligent and, of course, with the support of wonderful fans who push and apply pressure, they achieve this kind of thing,” he added.

Mourinho was later asked whether his description of the team as “naive” or “innocent” meant he believed he could give them greater experience and competitiveness.

He rejected the suggestion that he was criticising the players’ overall commitment, saying: “No… perhaps I explained it badly. The team worked extremely hard, and I have nothing to blame any player for; they gave everything they had.”

Mourinho explained that he was referring only to specific incidents, particularly challenges that should have resulted in straightforward yellow cards.

“By naive or innocent, I mean there are clear and specific situations, such as simple yellow cards; for example, standing on someone’s foot… it is an obvious situation that requires a yellow card,” he said.

He then returned to the early challenge involving Valverde, praising the Uruguay midfielder for remaining on his feet after his foot was stamped on.

“In the first minute, someone stood on Fede Valverde’s foot, and he remained standing on his feet… and that is something to be proud of as Real Madrid captain; it is something I admire him for,” said Mourinho.

He contrasted that moment with an incident involving a Real Betis player who went down close to the Real Madrid technical area.

“But to give you an example from the other side: that boy, one of the Real Betis players, was lying down and looked as if he had died in front of our bench… I thought the ambulance would come to take him away, but in the end there was no need for an ambulance!” Mourinho said.

He concluded that such moments could work against Real Madrid when they faced teams accustomed to using that approach.

“In this sense, that is what I am telling you. When you play matches against teams that have this kind of culture and mentality, it becomes a factor that works against you,” he said.