Mourinho identifies key Real Madrid improvement needed to compete for all titles

Jose Mourinho has no intention of taking the speed or attacking ambition out of his new Real Madrid.

However, after an explosive start to the season, the Portuguese coach is now focused on ensuring that Madrid’s attacking freedom is supported by greater defensive control.

According to MARCA, Mourinho wants his side to remain aggressive with and without the ball.

The 4-0 victory over Malaga provided an encouraging sign, delivering the team’s first clean sheet of the season while maintaining their considerable threat going forward.

Mourinho wants aggression without the ball

Even with Real Madrid flying high and comfortably ahead in these first three games, Mourinho still sees scope for improvement.

The coach admitted his players “lost a little bit of order” after going 3-0 up, although he was pleased with their growing ability to “press, bite and recover balls high.”

That intensity is becoming an important part of Mourinho’s Real Madrid. The manager has been insisting on it ever since he arrived.

Against Malaga, the Merengues allowed only one shot on target. They had previously conceded three against Espanyol and another three against Real Sociedad, meaning their latest game was an improvement in that regard.

Real Madrid cannot repeat last season’s problem

Mourinho has always been a manager who has focused on a defence-first approach.

Real Madrid conceded 64 goals across 58 matches last season. For a team expected to challenge for La Liga and the Champions League, that was simply too much.

Mourinho does not want to solve that problem by turning Real Madrid into a cautious team.

With Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and the other attacking options available, restricting their ability to play quickly would waste one of the squad’s greatest strengths.

Instead, striking the right balance is of paramount importance.

High pressing, immediate recoveries and collective effort can allow Real Madrid to attack at speed without constantly leaving their defenders exposed.

As the season goes on and the calendar starts looking increasingly crowded, it will be much more difficult for the players to maintain this intensity every three days.

For now, Real Madrid have started the season on the right note, but with scope for improvement, and it remains to be seen where Jose takes them from here.

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has spoken publicly for the first time since being acquitted in the case involving the distribution of a video containing sexual content involving minors.

The Spanish defender was acquitted by the court earlier today after he issued an apology to the victims while also paying compensation.

This comes at a time when the La Fabrica graduate is also under the scanner after being convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Asencio addresses the case publicly

Asencio has now issued a statement on social media following his acquittal in the trial over the distribution of the video.

The two victims formally forgave the four Real Madrid players who had been prosecuted, including Asencio.

The defender used his statement to respond to comments made by his manager, José Mourinho, and made clear that he now wants to have his say both on and off the pitch.

“Now it’s my turn to speak, and not only on the pitch, but also away from it,” Asencio wrote.

Asencio explained that the months-long process had been difficult, particularly as reports and opinions about him were published before the courts had reached a decision.

“Today, after a long period of silence and respecting a legal process in which I always had faith, I can say that I have been ACQUITTED. I believe the time has come to share a few words.

“Over these past few months I have experienced a difficult situation and, at times, I have had to see information and opinions about me published before the Justice system had ruled.

“I understand and respect the work of the media in reporting and expressing opinions, but I also believe it is important to remember that behind every story there is a person and a family who live with the consequences of everything that is published.

“I have always trusted that justice would eventually put things right. Today there is a judicial ruling that speaks for itself, and I accept it calmly and with the satisfaction of being able to close a chapter that has been extremely important to me.”

Asencio thanks those who supported him

Rather than focusing on the criticism he received, Asencio said he wanted to remember the people who stood by him throughout the process.

“I don’t want to hold on to the noise or the difficult moments. I prefer to remember the support of the people who stood by me and trusted me throughout this time.

“I want to sincerely thank my family, my friends, my agent, my lawyers and everyone who supported me and gave me strength when I needed it most.”

“I also want to thank Real Madrid and everyone at the club who showed their confidence in me and allowed me to continue working, developing and enjoying what I love most: playing football.

“Throughout this process, I tried to stay away from it all, work and keep moving forward. Today I can do so with the peace of mind that I always believed in the truth.”

Asencio also addresses the drink-driving incident

The Real Madrid defender also referred to the separate drink-driving incident for which he was punished, while the club is also investigating the matter.

“I also want to address an incident involving drink-driving. I am deeply sorry for what happened and I fully accept responsibility. It has been an experience from which I have learned, and I am absolutely clear that it will never happen again.

“Now I want to look ahead, keep working, keep developing and focus on what I love most: playing football.”

Asencio called on those who had spoken about him during the case to give the court’s decision the same level of attention.

“To those who spoke about me during these months, I only ask that now the Justice system has given its ruling, this part of the story can also be told with the same attention.

“I don’t want to get involved in controversies or look back. I want to close this chapter with respect, with my head held high and with a great desire to move forward.

“Now it’s my turn to speak. And I completely agree with my coach: not only on the pitch, but also away from it.

“Hala Madrid. Let nobody have the slightest doubt,” he concluded.

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