Mourinho calls Real Madrid's fixture list a "gift" from LaLiga and TV broadcasters

Six days after winning the Clásico, José Mourinho appeared in the press room at Valdebebas with his squad enjoying a full week to prepare. The Portuguese coach reviewed the latest news around Real Madrid before Sunday's visit to Racing de Santander and sent an ironic message about the upcoming schedule: "It is a huge gift they are giving us, from LaLiga or from the television companies."

• Mourinho describes playing Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday as a "gift" from LaLiga or the broadcasters.
• The Real Madrid coach praises Kane after the Ballon d'Or and admits surprise at Bellingham's 11th place.
• He says the dressing room shows great maturity despite being a young squad.
• Vinicius remains unavailable in LaLiga due to suspension but will feature in the Champions League.
• Mourinho confirms Fede Valverde will not start against Racing, with Trent or Dumfries at right-back.

Mourinho's warning about the schedule: "Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday"

The Real Madrid manager highlighted the demanding stretch ahead. After the trip to Santander, the team faces AEK in European competition and then Valencia in LaLiga, with just two days between each match. "Every game is dangerous. In away matches you have to add the pressure of the opposing crowd. Rivals feel more comfortable at home and Racing is a team that has not lost at home," he said.

Mourinho also suggested that AEK's mood will depend on their result against Panathinaikos before facing Real Madrid. On the sequence of three matches in seven days, the Portuguese was blunt: "It is an almost unique situation and mainly the fact that we play Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday is very difficult. It is a huge gift they are giving us, from LaLiga or from the television companies, and we have to face it and see if we can leave them disappointed."

What Mourinho expects from Racing de Santander at El Sardinero

Asked about Sunday's opponents, Mourinho pointed to Racing's strength at home and their bond with the supporters. "Racing have a great connection with their fans. It is a Sunday afternoon match, which is something we are no longer used to. The last win has great meaning if we win again. If we now drop the points we won, it will not have the same significance," he noted.

The Real Madrid coach insisted his side will not be caught off guard by Racing, a team he described as playing in "a very ambitious way."

Ballon d'Or reaction: praise for Kane and surprise over Bellingham

Mourinho did not avoid questions about the Ballon d'Or results. The Portuguese worked with Harry Kane and admitted mixed feelings about the English striker winning the award. "I had the privilege of working with Harry Kane. He is a great player, a great professional and a great person, and within the frustration that my player did not win, I have to be honest and say that I am very happy that Harry won. He deserves a joy and a crowning moment in his career," he stated.

On Kylian Mbappé, Mourinho said the Frenchman is "unique" and that if Real Madrid produce a Ballon d'Or winner every season that would be fine. But it was Jude Bellingham's 11th place that drew the strongest reaction: "What left me speechless with surprise is Jude Bellingham in 11th position. No comments."

Dressing room mood after the Clásico and Vinicius' situation

Mourinho played down any idea of excessive euphoria after the win in Barcelona. According to his account, the joy lasted only as long as the trip back. "In Barcelona, after the match, it was a happy dressing room, but afterwards, on our return, we trained normally with the same concentration and motivation," he explained. He also praised the maturity of a young group: "In that respect we are not a team of great maturity with super-experienced players because we are a young team, but we have a lot of maturity."

As for Vinicius, the manager summed up the situation clearly: "Vinicius' situation is very simple because he does not play in the league and he plays in the Champions League, and I want his suspension to end quickly because I need him, not because he will start, but because he is a great player we will have in a very good squad."

Trent, Dumfries and the right-back decision for Santander

Trent Alexander-Arnold's name took up a significant part of the press conference. The Englishman did not start in the Clásico and Mourinho explained his reasoning without hesitation: "I do not like creating bad feelings for players. And obviously it makes me sad, but there are things more important than these feelings, and that is what is best for the team. I thought the best thing for the team was to put Fede at full-back."

The coach said both Trent and Dumfries accepted the explanation: "I had good acceptance from Trent and from Dumfries when we explained that it was a decision for the team and not against the players." For the match against Racing, the Portuguese confirmed Valverde will not start: "Tomorrow Fede will not be in the starting line-up and one of the two will play. I do not think Trent or Dumfries will ask to leave the team, and I think that with these gifts in the schedule everyone is going to play."

Mourinho responds to his critics over defensive football

The Portuguese was also asked about the defensive coach label that has followed him throughout his career. Far from feeling targeted, he answered with a powerful counterpoint: "The defensive coach of my first spell is the defensive coach of the 100 points and 121 goals, and I would like to achieve that again." A reference to a record-breaking campaign with Real Madrid.

If they criticise me, it does not affect me, and if they say I did well in Barcelona, I no longer feed off that. I still think the players deserve all the credit.