Mourinho urges Bernabeu to back Madrid before Real Sociedad test | OneFootball

Mourinho has urged Real Madrid fans to back the team ahead of his first home match back at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Sociedad, insisting the focus should be on the players, not his return. He said on the club’s official website that the bond needs renewing after last season’s difficult finish.

The Liga meeting on Wednesday follows Madrid’s 2-1 opening win at Espanyol, where Jude Bellingham scored early and debutant Carlos Espi clinched it late.

Mourinho has tried to shift the spotlight away from himself, stressing performance and connection with the crowd as priorities. He views this as a fresh start built on work-rate and a clear desire to do things right.

He believes he can manage the emotion and treat it as a routine three-point game they need to win. He wants the team to feel something different from last season’s final stretch and for the stadium to drive them on.

Framing it as one of 19 home dates in a 38-match campaign, he underlined respect for a Sociedad side with identity and quality that will test Madrid. He is demanding hunger, resilience, strength and calm, and hopes that mentality makes the Bernabeu even stronger.

Madrid aim to build rhythm early in a campaign expected to be fiercely contested, so home slip-ups cannot be afforded. After La Real, Mourinho’s side face Malaga in Liga this weekend.

Source: Goal.com

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