Federico Valverde says a half-time discussion with Jose Mourinho helped Real Madrid produce an outstanding second-half performance in their 4-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The match was a rearranged fixture from the opening round of La Liga, and Real Madrid recovered from allowing their visitors to equalise after taking an early lead. Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as the hosts eventually secured a convincing victory in front of their home supporters.
Valverde said Real Madrid had started the game with the right mentality, but admitted they lost some of their discipline after scoring first.
“I saw a team that was extremely focused and working with great enthusiasm. We worked very well, but we lacked some patience after scoring the first goal, which allowed them to equalise,” the Uruguay international told reporters after the match.
The midfielder added that Mourinho’s words during the interval had a significant influence on the way Real Madrid performed after the break.
“Our discussion with the manager at half-time helped us a lot, which is why the second half was excellent,” said Valverde.
Asked to explain the specific changes Mourinho demanded, Valverde pointed to the team’s pressing and its difficulties winning possession high up the pitch.
“We talked about pressing because we were struggling to regain the ball in their half. We were playing with one fewer player in some situations. We adjusted that, and we became more comfortable,” he said.
Real Madrid’s improvement after the interval allowed them to take control of the contest and complete a emphatic victory over Real Sociedad. The result also gave their supporters a strong first home performance of the campaign, following a dramatic opening-day success away from home.
Mbappe was the standout individual, finding the net three times against Real Sociedad. Valverde described the France forward’s display in glowing terms and said the rest of the team must continue to provide him with opportunities.
“He is amazing, unbelievable. We have to make the most of him as much as possible and pass him the ball so he can score goals and feel happy. What he did today is something he has done many times throughout the year,” Valverde said.
Real Madrid had begun their season with a late 2-1 win at Espanyol on Saturday. They then returned to the Santiago Bernabeu and gave their fans a far more comfortable evening by beating Real Sociedad 4-1.
The victory followed a match in which the hosts had to respond to the setback of conceding an equaliser, but Valverde believes the half-time adjustments enabled them to regain control and deliver the performance expected of them.
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