Mourinho Dismisses Champions League Pressure Talk Ahead of Inter Clash

Jose Mourinho has dismissed suggestions he carries added pressure to finally deliver a Champions League trophy during his second spell at Real Madrid, speaking ahead of Tuesday's opening fixture against Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Champions League remains the only major trophy that eluded Mourinho during his first stint in charge between 2010 and 2013. "No, it is two different spells," he said when asked if he felt indebted to the club. "When I left in 2013, we won what we won and lost what we lost, and we gave it our all. And that was that. What I need to do now has nothing to do with the past." He pointed to the club's transformation since then, noting Real Madrid weren't even reaching the quarterfinals back in 2010, compared to six Champions League triumphs since. "We want to win every match, every competition," Mourinho added, "but you have to work to accomplish stability."

Mourinho's session was followed by a far tenser round of questioning for Kylian Mbappe, who was repeatedly pressed on his relationship with Vinicius Junior and the mood inside the dressing room. "Do you have the feeling that something wasn't right last year? No, it's the same as last year. It's true we have a different coach, but it's the same," Mbappe said, pushing back on suggestions of a shift in atmosphere.

The comments come with Real Madrid looking to bounce back from Friday's 1-0 defeat to Real Betis, their first loss of the season, as they open a Champions League campaign that will determine whether Mourinho can finally add Europe's biggest prize to his second spell in the Spanish capital.