Jose Mourinho don come back to Real Madrid as manager, and im first big test for Champions League na against Inter Milan. The match go happen for Tuesday night inside Santiago Bernabeu, and e go be like say time don circle back to where e don stand before.
Sixteen years ago, Mourinho stand for same Bernabeu and lift the Champions League trophy with Inter. Dem beat Bayern Munich 2-0 for final. Na im second Champions League win, after Porto for 2004, and na im last match for Inter. Days later, e become Real Madrid manager for the first time.
Now, after more than ten years wey e no dey for that position, Mourinho don return as Real Madrid boss, and Inter na the visitor wey go test am. For Real Madrid, this match na first chance to see if the manager wey dem trust again fit lead dem back to Champions League glory.
When Mourinho first arrive Real Madrid for 2010, the work wey dem give am clear. E need to challenge Barcelona, win La Liga, and most important, deliver the club’s 10th European Cup. E win trophies, yes. Real lift Copa del Rey for 2011 and La Liga for 2012. E side reach three consecutive Champions League semi-finals. But dem no fit pass that stage.
Real lose to Barcelona for 2011, Bayern Munich on penalties for 2012, and Borussia Dortmund for 2013. Mourinho eventually leave for 2013 without the Champions League trophy wey Real want. But e talk say im past no go define wetin dey happen now.
“At Real Madrid, I dey go through two different periods,” Mourinho talk. “I finish work for Real Madrid for 2013. That chapter don close. This match against Inter no get anything to do with the past.”
Mourinho don return to club wey im describe as “very complicated season” and where stability now important. “Wetin I find for Real Madrid na wetin I always find here,” e talk. “The best club for the world. For Bernabeu, I don win Champions League, I don lose semi-final through penalties, but I don see best and worst for this stadium. I no dey think about that. I be Real Madrid coach and Champions League game dey go happen.”
E still talk say the club need to rebuild stable foundation after difficult campaign. “Real na Real, and for Real Madrid, you must win,” Mourinho add. That pressure no new for am. Im experience for managing elite dressing rooms and knowing wetin e take to win Champions League na im make Real want am.
Kylian Mbappe talk about am too. “Mourinho dey bring im whole career,” Mbappe say. “E be guy wey know how to win, to get group around am, and e know how to give motivation to the whole group.”
Real Madrid preparation before their first Champions League game this season no too perfect. Dem lose to Real Betis over the weekend. Mourinho believe say di lose come because dem no fit turn attacking play to goals. “We lose because we no fit translate offensive production into goals,” e talk. For that match, Mbappe penalty wey go equalize for injury time, Alvaro Valles save am. Mbappe talk say “the most important thing na to score goals and that be my responsibility. We dey very relaxed.”
Mbappe also reject idea say Real two seasons without trophy go add burden for new Champions League season. “My experience with Real Madrid tell me say I no go think too long-term because plenty things fit change,” e talk. “I want think how I fit be ready now, to help my team win against Inter Milan and start Champions League for good way.”
Mourinho connection with Inter still strong. “I go love to see people from Inter before and after the game,” e talk. “But during the game, dem no go see me as friend. I want Real Madrid win. Na football nature.”
Mourinho no believe say the match go decide campaign because e get seven more league-phase games to come. But e know every point matter. “Tomorrow no too important because e no go decide anything. We get seven games and I think we and Inter go qualify and we fit meet again for future. But every point important and I sure say top team like Inter dey try to get points. We go try to win, of course,” e add.
As Mourinho leave press conference, one Italian journalist stand up and gift am small garden sprinkler, wrap for bow. Na to represent 2010 Champions League semi-final between Inter and Barcelona. For that time, Mourinho Inter reach final, despite losing second leg for Camp Nou. After final whistle, Mourinho run enter pitch to celebrate with players, and Camp Nou sprinklers turn on while Inter dey celebrate. The image of Mourinho dey celebrate while sprinklers dey spray across pitch become iconic, symbol of im unforgettable 2010 triumph with Inter. More than decade don pass, e clear say the impact im leave for the club still dey hold for high regard by Inter supporters and journalists. Sixteen years after that triumph, the club wey give am greatest European night now na the first obstacle for im attempt to create another one.
