Jose Mourinho defends Vinicius Junior after Real Madrid star is booed

Despite a successful Champions League opener with a 2-1 victory over Inter, the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu remained tense. Vinicius Junior became the focal point of fan frustration, receiving a chorus of whistles when he was substituted in the 87th minute.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho addressed the situation post-match, acknowledging the forward's current lack of form while highlighting his defensive contribution.

He isn't at his best, and he knows it. But he's working hard to be the Vinicius who decides games. Without being at his best, he's working harder than ever. Jose Mourinho

Mourinho explained that the winger's fatigue was largely due to the tactical demands of playing against Inter's three-at-the-back system. He emphasized that as long as the player continues to work for the team, he will retain full support from the technical staff.

The match also forced Mourinho to deal with squad limitations. Due to suspensions, Trent Alexander-Arnold was deployed in an unfamiliar central midfield role. The manager praised his efforts, acknowledging the physical and positional challenges the Englishman faced in adapting to a new position.

The squad now shifts focus to the domestic league with a derby against Rayo Vallecano, offering Vinicius an immediate chance to regain favor with the home support.