Mourinho: At Real Madrid, No One Is Above Accountability
Mourinho clarified that Vinicius and Deyna are subject to accountability.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Madrid, AFP – Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho of Spanish football club Real Madrid affirmed ahead of tomorrow’s Wednesday match against German side Leipzig, in the third round of the unified group stage of the UEFA Champions League, that no player is above accountability within the team.
When asked about his Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, who is suspended for four matches in La Liga and threatened by the emergence of 19-year-old Ivorian youth player Yannim Diomande, the Portuguese manager delivered a clear message at a press conference: “Here, the only thing above accountability is the club badge. No player is above accountability. It is not about status, the captain’s armband, or the amount paid to sign them. What makes a player above accountability is their performance on the pitch.”
Nevertheless, Mourinho confirmed that Vinicius will start against Leipzig, without specifying whether he will be replaced by Diomande, who faces his former club.
He added: “I cannot disclose the details. Vinicius is a left winger. I may be able to use him in other positions in some cases, but that is his position. That is all I can confirm. Diomande does not need to know whether he will play or not, so you will see tomorrow (Wednesday).”
He concluded: “I fully understand the high expectations at Real Madrid. I have spent three years here, and we still have much work to do to progress. But I am open to analysis, understanding the situation, and finding solutions.”
With just a few days remaining before the “Clasico” against traditional rivals Barcelona, leaders of La Liga who have not yet tasted defeat, Real Madrid have the opportunity to move closer to qualifying for the knockout stages of the continental competition by securing their third consecutive victory over Leipzig.
