Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid for Champions League Match Against Inter

Jose Mourinho anticipates Real Madrid will begin their Champions League campaign with a match against Inter Milan. This matchup is particularly significant as it marks Mourinho's return to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he lifted the Champions League trophy in 2010, following Inter's 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the final. It was his second Champions League triumph, having previously won with Porto in 2004, and his last match as Inter's manager. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as Real Madrid's manager for his first term.

Now, after over a decade, Mourinho is back at the Bernabeu, with the match scheduled for Tuesday at 20:00 BST. This game not only serves as a nostalgic return for Mourinho but also as a crucial test for Real Madrid to see if he can guide the team back to Champions League glory.

Upon his arrival in 2010, Mourinho's mission at Real Madrid was clear: challenge Barcelona, win La Liga, and secure the club’s 10th European Cup. Although he managed to win several trophies, including the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012, he could not secure the Champions League title during his first stint, failing to advance past the semi-finals three times.

Mourinho departed from Real Madrid in 2013 without delivering the Champions League trophy, but he stressed that past performances should not overshadow his current role. "At Real Madrid, I’m going through two different periods," he remarked. "I ended working for Real Madrid in 2013... This is a closed chapter. This match against Inter has nothing to do with the past."

Mourinho is tasked with stabilizing a club that he described as having a "very complicated season" during his absence. He stated, "What I’ve found at Real Madrid is what I’ve always found here: the best club in the world." He acknowledged the pressure to deliver results, asserting that winning is paramount at Real Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe echoed this sentiment, praising Mourinho's experience and ability to motivate the team. "He is a guy who knows how to win, to have a group around him and he knows about giving motivation to the whole group," he reflected.

Real Madrid's lead-up to this opening Champions League fixture has seen some challenges, including a loss to Real Betis at the weekend. Despite the setback, both Mourinho and Mbappe emphasized the need for the team to remain focused and prepared to win against Inter to start the Champions League positively.

Mourinho maintains a connection with Inter and expressed eagerness to see familiar faces but declared that once the match starts, his focus is on achieving victory for Real Madrid. He reassured that while the upcoming match is important, it is not definitive for the entire campaign, as many games lie ahead.

As Mourinho concluded the press conference, he was humorously presented with a small garden sprinkler, symbolizing a memorable moment from his time at Inter during the 2010 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, marking the impact he left on the club and its supporters.