Mourinho warns Real Madrid quartet over physical battles and defensive lapses

Jose Mourinho believes Real Madrid have clear weaknesses against teams that rely on strong challenges and an intense physical tempo, with Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler among those told to improve.

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Mourinho wants the four players to become stronger and more intelligent in the way they handle physical contests, while also improving their communication with the referee.

The Real Madrid manager drew those conclusions from the derby, which featured refereeing controversy as well as a performance that fell below expectations. Mourinho acknowledged in his news conference that the officiating debate could not be ignored, but insisted it should not obscure the problems exposed by his side.

Several players, in his assessment, struggled in a match that demanded physical resilience and sustained concentration. Mourinho believes the required improvement is not limited to strength or stamina, but also concerns how players manage incidents and decisions during a game.

Valverde was criticised after failing to remain on the pitch following a kick from Kang-in Lee. Mourinho felt an Atletico Madrid player might have dealt with the same incident differently, possibly exaggerating the pain to encourage the referee to take stronger action.

He linked that moment to another incident involving Cuti Romero, who avoided being sent off after stepping on Jude Bellingham’s knee. The Argentina defender remained on the pitch, shouting in pain, in what Mourinho viewed as an attempt to avoid a more serious punishment after his position had appeared difficult in front of the referee.

Guler, Mbappe and Vinicius under scrutiny

Mourinho also believes Arda Guler must improve his ability to compete in one-on-one situations. The midfielder appeared vulnerable to challenges, in his view, and opponents began targeting him from the opening minutes because they recognised his considerable talent while also identifying weaknesses when the contest became more physical.

The manager was similarly unhappy with the movement of Mbappe and Vinicius, particularly when they dropped out of the press or watched the play without taking an active part in defensive duties.

Mourinho was seen angrily demanding that Vinicius track back and contribute defensively before replacing him in the 53rd minute.

He does not regard the concerns as specific to one match. Mourinho expects Real Madrid to face similar tests against teams such as Valencia, Getafe and Osasuna, with previous matches showing that some of the club’s players can struggle when opponents impose a high physical intensity and turn the game into a contest for challenges and space.

For that reason, Mourinho is seeking to address the issues quickly before they appear again against strong opponents during the season.