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Mourinho, Inter and the Champions League: Can He Deliver Again at Real Madrid?

From BBC News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Jose Mourinho returns to the Champions League dugout at Real Madrid against Inter Milan, the club he led to the 2010 title in the Bernabeu.
  • His first Real Madrid spell produced the Copa del Rey, La Liga and three straight Champions League semi-final appearances, but no European title.
  • The match will offer an early test of whether Mourinho can restore stability and guide Real Madrid toward another Champions League triumph.

Few opponents could make Jose Mourinho’s Champions League return to Real Madrid more symbolic than Inter Milan. Sixteen years ago, he stood in the Santiago Bernabeu and lifted the trophy after leading Inter to a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the 2010 final.

That was Mourinho’s second Champions League triumph, following his victory with Porto in 2004, and the final match of his Inter reign. Days later, he became Real Madrid’s manager for the first time. Now he is back in the Bernabeu dugout, with Inter arriving for Tuesday’s match and Real facing an immediate test of their ambitions.

At Real Madrid, I'm going through two different periods. I ended working for Real Madrid in 2013... This is a closed chapter. This match against Inter has nothing to do with the past.

· Jose MourinhoMourinho rejected the idea that his first Real Madrid spell should define his return.

Mourinho’s first mandate at Madrid was straightforward: challenge Barcelona, win La Liga and deliver the club’s 10th European Cup. He won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012, while his team reached three consecutive Champions League semi-finals. But each campaign ended there, against Barcelona in 2011, Bayern Munich on penalties in 2012 and Borussia Dortmund in 2013. Mourinho left that year without the trophy Real wanted.

Real is Real and at Real Madrid, you have to win.

· Jose MourinhoMourinho described the expectations facing him at Real Madrid.

He insists that earlier spell should not shape this one. “At Real Madrid, I'm going through two different periods,” Mourinho said. “I ended working for Real Madrid in 2013... This is a closed chapter. This match against Inter has nothing to do with the past.”

Mourinho has returned after what he called a “very complicated season,” and he says the club needs a stable foundation. “Real is Real and at Real Madrid, you have to win,” he said. Kylian Mbappe said Mourinho brings the experience of his entire career and knows how to win, unite a squad and motivate its players. Preparations have not been perfect, however. Real lost to Real Betis at the weekend, although Mourinho said the defeat came despite a strong attacking performance.

Mourinho brings his whole career. He is a guy who knows how to win, to have a group around him and he knows about giving motivation to the whole group.

· Kylian MbappeMbappe assessed the experience and leadership Mourinho brings to the club.
About this summary

Originally published by BBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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