Real Madrid players discuss Mourinho's tactics and past rivalry with Messi

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has shared insights into José Mourinho’s tactical demands following a 3-0 friendly victory over Schalke 04. Courtois noted that the match served as a final test before the competitive season, highlighting the team's defensive cohesion and physical readiness. He specifically mentioned that Mourinho has been emphasizing set-piece management and maintaining high levels of focus and discipline on the pitch.

In a separate reflection on his tenure at Real Madrid, José Mourinho discussed the immense challenge of facing Lionel Messi during the club's rivalry with Barcelona. Mourinho described the difficulty of neutralizing Messi as a 'nightmare' that required exceptional tactical preparation. Former player Sami Khedira corroborated this, noting that technical meetings were often dedicated to developing specific strategies to limit the Argentine star's impact during El Clásico matches.