**Mourinho Not Feeling Pressure Ahead of Champions League Opener**
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has expressed that he does not feel any additional pressure to secure the UEFA Champions League title during his second tenure at the club. This statement comes as the team prepares for their opening match against Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Tuesday.
Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, acknowledged that the Champions League title is the only major trophy that eluded him during his first spell. However, he emphasized that his current role is distinct from his previous experience. “No, it is two different spells,” he stated when asked if he felt indebted to the club for past successes or failures. He added, “When I left in 2013, we won what we won and lost what we lost, and we gave it our all. And that was that. What I need to do now has nothing to do with the past.”
Reflecting on the evolution of the club since his first tenure, Mourinho noted the significant progress made in the Champions League arena. “Back in 2010, we weren’t even reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and it had been ages since we’d played in a semi-final. Now we’ve won six Champions Leagues in a little over a decade,” he remarked.
Despite his calm demeanor regarding pressure, Mourinho is aware of the expectations surrounding Real Madrid, particularly following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Real Betis in La Liga last Friday. “We want to win every match, every competition,” he said, emphasizing the need for stability within the team. “So Real Madrid need to reach that stability that is so important to achieve something great. But Real Madrid are Real Madrid; you need to win here no matter what.”
In addition to Mourinho's comments, the spotlight also fell on star forward Kylian Mbappé, who faced questions about his relationship with teammate Vinícius Jr. and the overall atmosphere in the Real Madrid dressing room. When asked about any changes in the dressing room dynamics compared to the previous season, Mbappé responded, “What does an improvement in the dressing room mean? Do you have the feeling that something wasn’t right last year? No, it’s the same as last year. It’s true we have a different coach, but it’s the same.”
As the 15-time European champions gear up for the new season, they are under pressure to perform, especially after two consecutive seasons without a major trophy. This period of underachievement has coincided with Mbappé's arrival at the club, further intensifying the expectations for the current campaign.
With the Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, all eyes will be on how Real Madrid responds to recent setbacks and whether they can regain their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs under Mourinho's guidance. The match is set to be a crucial test for the team as they seek to reclaim their position at the top of European football.