Mourinho admits Real Madrid tweaks before Villarreal: finishing, midfield control and rebuilding Vinicius' confidence

José Mourinho appeared before the media on Friday with a different tone from previous weeks. After the derby defeat against Atlético de Madrid, he had focused on refereeing decisions. Now he has opened the door to self-criticism and confirmed he has spent recent training sessions correcting specific issues before facing Villarreal. The Portuguese coach accepts his team must improve in attack and in midfield, and that not everything can be explained by external factors.

• Mourinho accepts there are areas to improve without hiding behind refereeing excuses.
• Midfield control and a lack of finishing are the main priorities in recent sessions.
• Vinicius is going through a rough patch and the coach plans to rebuild him with trust, not punishment.
• Mbappé and Bellingham are carrying the attack while the team searches for more control.
• The Villarreal match is a key test to measure the team's reaction after the derby loss.

What Mourinho has changed in training before the Villarreal match

The Portuguese manager confirmed there have been specific sessions in recent days, even without the full squad available. He did not talk about a tactical revolution, but about small adjustments that come through daily work. His message moves away from the idea that the loss to Atlético was only about numerical disadvantage or referee mistakes: the team must correct internal habits.

We have found things that obviously need to improve. And when we talk about improving, it doesn't mean we have to drastically change something.

Real Madrid's midfield control problem

One of the biggest concerns for the coaching staff is the loss of control in the middle of the pitch. Real Madrid alternate spells of dominance with periods of chaos, something that does not fit the pattern Mourinho wants to impose. The pairing of Tchouaméni and Valverde has become his main bet, but the coach understands they need more support inside so the team does not become stretched.

The options Mourinho is considering in midfield

So far Güler has been the third man in that area, with Bellingham playing closer to Mbappé and Vinicius. However, the coach has other options. Camavinga arrives revitalised after his time with Zidane and with match rhythm, while Thiago Pitarch is already recovered and available. Bernardo Silva also appears as an option to bring composure and better decision-making with the ball.

The lack of finishing and Vinicius' dip in form

The team has produced good periods of football that have not been reflected on the scoreboard. Effectiveness has dropped and Madrid need too many chances to score. Mbappé has been the main attacking outlet, with Bellingham regaining his scoring instinct near the box and occasional contributions from others. The concern is growing because Vinicius is clearly below his usual level.

Mourinho spent part of his press conference discussing the Brazilian's situation. He admits Vinicius is not at his best, but rules out a strict meritocratic response. His plan is to rebuild him through confidence and daily work, without punishment or drastic decisions, at least for a while longer. "He deserves to be helped," the coach said.

The defensive priority: stopping opponents from playing out easily

Defensively, the coach's analysis does not point to the back four or the most-used centre-backs such as Konaté, Rüdiger or Huijsen, nor to regular full-backs Dumfries or Cucurella. The penalty conceded by Huijsen in the derby came from a long ball over his head, a context that does not lead the Portuguese to single out individuals.

The problem, in his view, is the press. Mourinho wants to keep a high line and a quick tempo to stop opponents from pushing Madrid deep. He is more worried about how easily some teams play out from the back and reach dangerous areas. That is why recent work focuses on winning the ball back earlier and claiming more duels.

What is at stake for Real Madrid against Villarreal

The match comes at a delicate moment. After the setback in the derby, Villarreal's visit is an opportunity to show the team has absorbed the adjustments made at Valdebebas. The league table is not the only thing on the line: there is also a sense that Mourinho's project is starting to find solutions on the pitch.

Frequently asked questions about Real Madrid before Villarreal