Real Madrid legend Ivan Zamorano talks Mbappe, Espi, Mourinho, Inter Milan clash: ‘The players are adapting’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid face the biggest test of their season so far later tonight as they lock horns with Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.

The scheduling in the competition sees Los Blancos pitted against one of their most difficult opponents in the very first matchday of the event, and the timing could not be any worse for Real Madrid as they are coming freshly off their first defeat of the season.

Inter, meanwhile, are high on confidence after completing a comeback win over Napoli where they turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win.

Former player’s two cents

Real Madrid and Inter Milan legend Ivan Zamorano spoke to Diario AS ahead of Wednesday’s big game in the UEFA Champions League, and he first spoke out on how Real Madrid have fared under Jose Mourinho so far.

“They are in the process of Mourinho trying to maintain a little of what his footballing philosophy has always been, right? I’ve seen a lot of attacking intent in the first few matches, while also defending well.”

Zamorano praised Mourinho’s management. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

“I think little by little the players are adapting to what the coach wants. Above all, I see a footballing transition that I find extremely interesting,” he added.

Zamorano then explained his conviction over Real Madrid’s league battle this season and what will be different under Mourinho.

“Surely this year Real Madrid will be fighting for the title until the very end. I think they have a very good squad, with plenty of solutions in every position.”

“Mourinho is already bringing a lot of order and concentration, and making them a team that works for one another,” he added.

The former Real Madrid player then spoke on how the current team is very different from what Mourinho had in his first stint at the club.

“There’s no doubt that this is a completely different team from the one he had during his first spell. But we already know that Mourinho has many ways of dealing with situations and a lot of wisdom to manage a championship with a team like Real Madrid.”

“He knows its history, he knows the dressing room, he knows what it means and what responsibilities you have when you arrive at Madrid,” he added.

“I can see that he has the strength to instil that mentality in the team, play well and try to stay at the very top. I’m an optimistic person, and I have a lot of faith that this can be a great year,” Zamorano concluded.

On Real Madrid’s defeat to Real Betis

The club legend then addressed the team’s recent 1-0 defeat to Real Betis which was their first defeat of the season and how Kylian Mbappe disappointed on the night.

“Even if he occasionally has some less-than-great moments, Mbappé will always be a solution. He will always be a different kind of player, with goals and individual brilliance,” he said, backing Mbappe.

Mbappe was disappointing against Real Betis. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

“Mourinho and Real Madrid are going to need him enormously throughout the year. The World Cup he had was spectacular, and at the beginning of this league season I also see him very involved in what the team represents,” he added.

Laying further praise on the Frenchman, Zamorano said,

“He is always decisive. When you see that the team perhaps isn’t performing at its level, he always appears, always steps up and always tries to make things better.”

“Against Betis, I don’t think the team deserved to lose. The defeat was undeserved, but these things can happen, so there’s no need to panic. Important matches are coming and they have to overcome it,” he concluded.

On Carlos Espi

Staying on the topic of Real Madrid’s goals, the next logical question was on Carlos Espi who arrived this summer as a new striker profile to serve as Mbappe’s deputy.

“What I find strange about recent years is that Real Madrid haven’t had a centre-forward, because they always had a traditional No. 9 who played in the box.”

Zamorano praised Espi’s profile. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“Carlos represents that natural No. 9. He is 1.93 metres tall and has the physical presence to be a reference point and give the team a little more breathing room when they struggle to play out from the back,” he added.

Elaborating on the youngster’s profile and what made him stand out, Zamorano said,

“He is an interesting player. He is very close to the goal, and that is fundamental for a team like Madrid. He can be a solution when teams sit very deep.”

“He is a penalty-box player, he heads the ball very well and finishes very well. He already demonstrated that with the goal he scored the other day, even though it was disallowed,” he added.

On the Inter-Real Madrid tie

Finally, the former Inter Milan player was asked about Wednesday’s clash between his two former teams.

“A difficult match. Inter are already a solid team. They know exactly how they want to play,” he began.

“I think they have a very clearly defined style, enormous room for growth and two players for every position,” he added.

He then explained what makes Inter a very formidable opposition and how their recent form has been sensational.

“They have won all three of their Serie A matches convincingly. The last one particularly caught my attention. They were 0–2 down against a team with players of Napoli’s quality, yet they could react.”

“They will go to the Bernabéu to fight. They are not a team that sits deep when playing away from home; they play the same way everywhere,” he added.

On what Real Madrid must do to have a good chance, Zamorano plainly said,

“It will be difficult for Madrid. Small details will decide the difference because both teams have a lot of individual quality.”

“For me, I think we are going to see the best match of this first phase of the Champions League.”

The final question the legend was asked in this regard was whether he saw Real Madrid as one of the favourites to lift the UCL this season, to which he replied in the affirmative.

“After everything that has happened over these past two years, I think this could be a great year. I have a feeling about it. I can see it on the pitch.”

“Real Madrid must always be considered one of the favourites to win the Champions League. They are the kings of that competition. Madrid always has to be there.”