🚨 Mbappe on the difference between playing with Vini Jr. and Diomande on the left wing:
🗣️ Kylian Mbappe: “At half-time, before we stepped back onto the pitch, I was telling Jose how much I prefer having Diomande playing on my left.
“Jose smiled, patted me on the back and told me to go out there and do what I love doing best.
“With Vini playing on the left alongside me, there is always competition between us. Sometimes, the ball doesn’t flow as well because we both want to occupy similar spaces.
“When I want to drift to the left, he is already there, sometimes dragging the space with him even when I move towards the centre. It can make things a little complicated.
“But with Diomande on my left, everything feels smoother and easier. He understands my game so well. He knows when I want to drift wide, when I want to move centrally, and he understands exactly how I like my passes.
“It’s only been a few games, but I genuinely love playing with him. The way we interchange positions and the fluidity of his movement synchronise so well with mine. Everything feels natural.
“If I had to choose, I would always want Diomande playing on my left rather than Vini. But at the end of the day, I’m not the manager, and those decisions are not mine to make.”
🚨 José Mourinho on Vinícius Jr.’s performance against AEK Athens:
🗣️ José Mourinho: “Ever since the red-card incident in LaLiga, you reporters have constantly been asking me why I continue to start Vinícius in the Champions League despite his recent performances.
“Look, I’m not blind. I know Vini isn’t performing at the level he was last season or the season before. His performances have dropped, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise.
“He doesn’t take on defenders with the same confidence, and sometimes you can see that he’s struggling to make the difference he used to make.
“But there are things happening behind the scenes that I cannot discuss publicly. Vinícius is one of the most important players at this club, and there are expectations surrounding his position that go beyond what you see during the 90 minutes.
“The decision to keep starting him is not entirely mine. It’s a club decision, and I’m expected to follow it. As long as he’s fit and available, I’m instructed to include him in the starting eleven, regardless of his recent performances. That’s part of my responsibility as Real Madrid manager.
“I still believe in him. He’s a player who has already shown what he’s capable of, and you don’t suddenly lose that quality.
“He’s one of our captains, he has the support of the dressing room, and we are working to get him back to his best.
“I know people want immediate answers, but I won’t abandon a player because he’s going through a difficult period.
“He will return to his level. Whether that happens in the next game or takes a little longer, we will continue supporting him because we know what he can offer this team.”