Real Madrid struggled against Espanyol in their La Liga opener, but the “Queen,” with José Mourinho back on the bench, got off to a winning start in the Spanish league, prevailing 2-1.
After the final whistle, the Portuguese coach answered reporters’ questions at the press conference and, among other things, addressed the harsh treatment Vinícius has been receiving from opponents and the stands.
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Mourinho stood by his player, emphasizing that the Brazilian star is subjected to relentless bullying, both from opposing players and from fans, while noting that, despite his fiery personality, he remains a constant target of criticism.
Here is what José Mourinho said in detail:
“Vini isn’t a saint, but what others are doing to him is excessive. It started from the very first minute. It follows a specific pattern: one opponent after another, ‘I’ll foul him, then you foul him; if I get a yellow card, you do it too.’
It’s a source of frustration for him. He has to exercise a lot of emotional control. I told Vini that even if he scores, he should be careful how he celebrates so he doesn’t get sent off. It’s difficult. We’re in a social climate that’s against bullying, but with Vinny, we’re still in the era of bullying, whether it comes from opponents or the crowd.”
*photo source: AP
