Valverde explains Mourinho’s half-time changes as Mbappe inspires Real Madrid victory

Federico Valverde praised Kylian Mbappe after the forward’s hat-trick helped Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

The match was a rearranged fixture from the opening round of the Spanish league season, and Real Madrid followed up their dramatic 2-1 victory away to Espanyol last Saturday with an emphatic home win.

Valverde said Real Madrid had shown strong focus and energy during the game, but admitted they lost some patience after scoring their opening goal. That allowed Real Sociedad to draw level before the home side regained control after the interval.

“I saw a team that was very focused and working with great enthusiasm,” Valverde said in post-match media interviews. “We worked very well, but we lacked some patience after scoring the first goal, which allowed them to equalise.”

The Uruguay midfielder said the discussion with Jose Mourinho at half-time had a decisive effect on the team’s performance in the second half.

“Our conversation with the coach at half-time helped us a lot, which is why the second half was excellent,” he added.

Asked about Mourinho’s specific instructions, Valverde explained that the manager wanted Real Madrid to improve their pressing and regain possession higher up the pitch.

“We talked about pressing because we were struggling to win the ball back in their half,” he said. “At certain moments, we were playing with one player fewer. We adjusted that and became more comfortable.”

Real Madrid’s response after the break was led by Mbappe, who completed his hat-trick against Real Sociedad. Valverde described the France international as an extraordinary player and said his team-mates needed to make the most of his attacking quality.

“He is amazing, unbelievable,” Valverde said. “We have to benefit from him as much as possible and pass him the ball so that he can score goals and feel happy. What he did today is something he has done many times throughout the year.”

The result gave Real Madrid a second successive league victory and offered their supporters at the Bernabeu a convincing first home triumph of the campaign. Their opening win at Espanyol had been secured by a late goal, while the victory over Real Sociedad was far more commanding after the interval.

Valverde’s comments underlined the importance of the half-time changes, with Real Madrid improving their pressure on the ball and finding greater comfort in possession. Mbappe then provided the decisive edge in front of goal, turning a competitive contest into a comprehensive victory.

Real Sociedad had managed to respond to Real Madrid’s first goal, but the hosts’ renewed intensity in the second half proved too much. Mbappe’s three goals completed the 4-1 scoreline and ensured Real Madrid maintained their positive start to the season.