Jose Mourinho took charge of Real Madrid for the first time since returning to the club on Saturday, as his side played out a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly.
Endrick and youngster Alexis Ciria gave Los Blancos a two-goal lead in the first half at the Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, but Roberto Piccoli and Moise Kean struck back to earn the Italian side a draw.
Speaking after the match, Mourinho looked back on the performance and gave his assessment of a makeshift squad.
The Portuguese manager analysed his team’s display and said the side showed “three faces”.
“I liked everything. It was a Madrid with three faces: fresh, tired, and super tired. The fresh team played very well, and the 2-1 scoreline was far too short.
“The first half was of very high quality, and we could have been leading three or four-nil comfortably,” he said.
“In the second half, the game became more physical against a typically Italian team with great physicality.
“After that, we saw Moise Kean playing in the area against two 18-year-olds, who had a great game and are growing, but physically, they are not yet at the level to handle someone like Moise,” he added.
He was also quick to praise the way his side reacted once fatigue began to take hold.
“The third face, which I also liked a lot, was the super tired face, but where the team knew how to be a team, control the game, and regain dominance,” he added.
Mourinho also made special mention of those who pushed themselves to play despite having very little preparation time, with Endrick and Denzel Dumfries particularly impressing him.
“Dumfries and Endrick trained for three days and played more than 70 minutes. It’s a fantastic effort that, to me, signifies a willingness to give their all,” he explained.
Mourinho was equally pleased with the contribution from academy players, including Joan Martinez and Mario Rivas.
“Joan and Mario are two kids with a fantastic future who displayed tremendous class as long as the game didn’t get too physical. I loved seeing the quality of the youngsters.”
New signing Carlos Espi, who had only joined on Thursday, came off the bench for his debut and almost snatched a late winner.
“I’m the happiest man in the world. I haven’t even been at Madrid for 72 hours, and I’ve trained, and made my debut,” Espi told reporters.
With several important players still away on an extended break after the World Cup, Mourinho admitted he is keen to have his full squad together as early as possible, including Vinicius Jr., who has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal.
“I’m concerned about not having everyone, and I would like to have three weeks of work with the others. It’s not possible,” he said.
“On Monday, Vini Jr, Brahim, and Bernardo will arrive. Little by little, until the boys who played in the World Cup semifinals and final arrive, with the final being only Cucurella.”
In spite of the difficulties of an interrupted pre-season, Mourinho said he is pleased with what he has seen up to now. “I am very happy with the work of the boys from day one,” he concluded.
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